Carson, ND frost dates
Last spring frostMay 19median date
First fall frostSep 25median date
Growing season129 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone4aZone 4a
How Carson compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Carson falls between May 7 and June 1, a 25-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 11 and October 8.
- The median last frost is 7 days later than the North Dakota median of May 12.
- Its 129-day growing season is longer than 14% of the 372 North Dakota places with a regular frost season (state median 139 days).
- The last frost is 7 days later than the zone 4a median of May 12. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 4a chart.
- The weather station records an average of 188 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Bismarck, ND, 72 km away, the last frost here is 9 days later than there and the growing season is 14 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | May 7 |
| 50% (median) | May 19 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | June 1 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 11 |
| 50% (median) | September 25 |
| 90% (late) | October 8 |
Frost here means 32°F (0°C). A median date means half of years have their last frost earlier and half later.
Planting calendar for Carson, ND
Carson, ND frost dates — last frost May 19, first frost Sep 25, zone 4a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Feb 24 to Mar 10Transplant outside: Apr 21 to May 5
Start indoors: Mar 10 to Mar 24Transplant outside: Jun 2 to Jun 16
Start indoors: Mar 10 to Mar 24Transplant outside: Jun 2 to Jun 16
Start indoors: Mar 24 to Apr 7Transplant outside: May 26 to Jun 9
Start indoors: Mar 24 to Apr 7Transplant outside: Apr 28 to May 12Sow outdoors: Apr 21 to May 26Plant for fall: Jul 31 to Aug 28
Start indoors: Mar 24 to Apr 7Transplant outside: Apr 21 to May 5Sow outdoors: Apr 21 to May 5Plant for fall: Jul 17 to Aug 7
Start indoors: Mar 24 to Apr 7Transplant outside: May 5 to May 19Plant for fall: Jun 19 to Jul 10
Start indoors: Mar 24 to Apr 7Transplant outside: Apr 28 to May 12Plant for fall: Jun 19 to Jul 10
Start indoors: Mar 24 to Apr 7Transplant outside: May 5 to May 19Plant for fall: Jun 19 to Jul 10
Start indoors: Apr 7 to Apr 21Transplant outside: Jun 9 to Jun 23Sow outdoors: Jun 9 to Jun 23
Start indoors: Apr 7 to Apr 21Transplant outside: May 26 to Jun 9
Sow outdoors: Apr 7 to Apr 28Plant for fall: Jul 3 to Jul 24
Sow outdoors: Apr 7 to Apr 28Plant for fall: Jul 31 to Aug 21
Sow outdoors: Apr 14 to May 26Plant for fall: Aug 14 to Sep 4
Start indoors: Apr 21 to Apr 28Transplant outside: Jun 2 to Jun 9Sow outdoors: May 26 to Jun 9Plant for fall: Jul 10 to Jul 24
Start indoors: Apr 21 to Apr 28Sow outdoors: May 26 to Jun 9Plant for fall: Jul 17 to Jul 31
Start indoors: Apr 21 to Apr 28Sow outdoors: May 26 to Jun 9
Start indoors: Apr 21 to Apr 28Transplant outside: Jun 2 to Jun 16
Sow outdoors: Apr 28 to May 26Plant for fall: Jul 3 to Jul 17
Sow outdoors: Apr 28 to May 26Plant for fall: Jul 17 to Jul 31
Sow outdoors: Apr 28 to May 19
Sow outdoors: May 5 to Jun 2Plant for fall: Jul 17 to Jul 31
Sow outdoors: May 5 to May 26Plant for fall: Jul 31 to Aug 21
Sow outdoors: May 26 to Jun 16Plant for fall: Jul 10 to Jul 24
Sow outdoors: May 26 to Jun 9
Transplant outside: Jun 2 to Jun 23
Plant for fall: Sep 11 to Oct 16
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Carson, ND
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | Apr 21 – May 5 | — | — |
| Peppers | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | Jun 2 – Jun 16 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | Jun 2 – Jun 16 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | May 26 – Jun 9 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | Apr 28 – May 12 | Apr 21 – May 26 | Jul 31 – Aug 28 |
| Kale | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | Apr 21 – May 5 | Apr 21 – May 5 | Jul 17 – Aug 7 |
| Broccoli | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | May 5 – May 19 | — | Jun 19 – Jul 10 |
| Cabbage | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | Apr 28 – May 12 | — | Jun 19 – Jul 10 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | May 5 – May 19 | — | Jun 19 – Jul 10 |
| Okra | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | Jun 9 – Jun 23 | Jun 9 – Jun 23 | — |
| Basil | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | May 26 – Jun 9 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Apr 7 – Apr 28 | Jul 3 – Jul 24 |
| Spinach | — | — | Apr 7 – Apr 28 | Jul 31 – Aug 21 |
| Radishes | — | — | Apr 14 – May 26 | Aug 14 – Sep 4 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 21 – Apr 28 | Jun 2 – Jun 9 | May 26 – Jun 9 | Jul 10 – Jul 24 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 21 – Apr 28 | — | May 26 – Jun 9 | Jul 17 – Jul 31 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 21 – Apr 28 | — | May 26 – Jun 9 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 21 – Apr 28 | Jun 2 – Jun 16 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 28 – May 26 | Jul 3 – Jul 17 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 28 – May 26 | Jul 17 – Jul 31 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 28 – May 19 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | May 5 – Jun 2 | Jul 17 – Jul 31 |
| Cilantro | — | — | May 5 – May 26 | Jul 31 – Aug 21 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 26 – Jun 16 | Jul 10 – Jul 24 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 26 – Jun 9 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Jun 2 – Jun 23 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 11 – Oct 16 |
Dates come from the median frost dates and common extension-service timing. Adjust for your soil temperature, microclimate and the varieties you grow.
About these dates
Based on 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for the Carson, ND weather station, 5 km away (elevation 2,336 ft (712 m)).
Frost dates near Carson
- Elgin May 19 · Sep 25
- Flasher May 13 · Sep 27
- Raleigh May 13 · Sep 27
- Almont May 17 · Sep 21
- New Leipzig May 20 · Sep 23
- Shields May 13 · Sep 27
- New Salem May 18 · Sep 24
- Glen Ullin May 19 · Sep 21
- Saint Anthony May 14 · Sep 27
- Selfridge May 9 · Sep 30
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Carson, ND?
The median last spring frost in Carson, ND is May 19. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after June 1, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Carson, ND?
The median first fall frost is September 25, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 11.
How long is the growing season in Carson, ND?
About 129 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Carson, ND?
Carson, ND is in USDA hardiness zone 4a.