Center, ND frost dates
Last spring frostMay 11median date
First fall frostSep 29median date
Growing season141 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone4aZone 4a
How Center compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Center falls between April 28 and May 26, a 28-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 15 and October 13.
- The median last frost is 1 day earlier than the North Dakota median of May 12.
- Its 141-day growing season is longer than 63% of the 372 North Dakota places with a regular frost season (state median 139 days).
- The last frost is typical for zone 4a, where the median is May 12.
- The weather station records an average of 192 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Bismarck, ND, 48 km away, the last frost here is 1 day later than there and the growing season is 2 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 28 |
| 50% (median) | May 11 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 26 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 15 |
| 50% (median) | September 29 |
| 90% (late) | October 13 |
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 Center, ND
Center, ND frost dates — last frost May 11, first frost Sep 29, zone 4a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Feb 16 to Mar 2Transplant outside: Apr 13 to Apr 27
Start indoors: Mar 2 to Mar 16Transplant outside: May 25 to Jun 8
Start indoors: Mar 2 to Mar 16Transplant outside: May 25 to Jun 8
Start indoors: Mar 16 to Mar 30Transplant outside: May 18 to Jun 1
Start indoors: Mar 16 to Mar 30Transplant outside: Apr 20 to May 4Sow outdoors: Apr 13 to May 18Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Sep 1
Start indoors: Mar 16 to Mar 30Transplant outside: Apr 13 to Apr 27Sow outdoors: Apr 13 to Apr 27Plant for fall: Jul 21 to Aug 11
Start indoors: Mar 16 to Mar 30Transplant outside: Apr 27 to May 11Plant for fall: Jun 23 to Jul 14
Start indoors: Mar 16 to Mar 30Transplant outside: Apr 20 to May 4Plant for fall: Jun 23 to Jul 14
Start indoors: Mar 16 to Mar 30Transplant outside: Apr 27 to May 11Plant for fall: Jun 23 to Jul 14
Start indoors: Mar 30 to Apr 13Transplant outside: Jun 1 to Jun 15Sow outdoors: Jun 1 to Jun 15
Start indoors: Mar 30 to Apr 13Transplant outside: May 18 to Jun 1
Sow outdoors: Mar 30 to Apr 20Plant for fall: Jul 7 to Jul 28
Sow outdoors: Mar 30 to Apr 20Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Aug 25
Sow outdoors: Apr 6 to May 18Plant for fall: Aug 18 to Sep 8
Start indoors: Apr 13 to Apr 20Transplant outside: May 25 to Jun 1Sow outdoors: May 18 to Jun 1Plant for fall: Jul 14 to Jul 28
Start indoors: Apr 13 to Apr 20Sow outdoors: May 18 to Jun 1Plant for fall: Jul 21 to Aug 4
Start indoors: Apr 13 to Apr 20Sow outdoors: May 18 to Jun 1
Start indoors: Apr 13 to Apr 20Transplant outside: May 25 to Jun 8
Sow outdoors: Apr 20 to May 18Plant for fall: Jul 7 to Jul 21
Sow outdoors: Apr 20 to May 18Plant for fall: Jul 21 to Aug 4
Sow outdoors: Apr 20 to May 11
Sow outdoors: Apr 27 to May 25Plant for fall: Jul 21 to Aug 4
Sow outdoors: Apr 27 to May 18Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Aug 25
Sow outdoors: May 18 to Jun 8Plant for fall: Jul 14 to Jul 28
Sow outdoors: May 18 to Jun 1
Transplant outside: May 25 to Jun 15
Plant for fall: Sep 15 to Oct 20
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Center, ND
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 16 – Mar 2 | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | — | — |
| Peppers | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | May 25 – Jun 8 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | May 25 – Jun 8 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 16 – Mar 30 | May 18 – Jun 1 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 16 – Mar 30 | Apr 20 – May 4 | Apr 13 – May 18 | Aug 4 – Sep 1 |
| Kale | Mar 16 – Mar 30 | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | Jul 21 – Aug 11 |
| Broccoli | Mar 16 – Mar 30 | Apr 27 – May 11 | — | Jun 23 – Jul 14 |
| Cabbage | Mar 16 – Mar 30 | Apr 20 – May 4 | — | Jun 23 – Jul 14 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 16 – Mar 30 | Apr 27 – May 11 | — | Jun 23 – Jul 14 |
| Okra | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | Jun 1 – Jun 15 | Jun 1 – Jun 15 | — |
| Basil | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | May 18 – Jun 1 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 30 – Apr 20 | Jul 7 – Jul 28 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 30 – Apr 20 | Aug 4 – Aug 25 |
| Radishes | — | — | Apr 6 – May 18 | Aug 18 – Sep 8 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 13 – Apr 20 | May 25 – Jun 1 | May 18 – Jun 1 | Jul 14 – Jul 28 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 13 – Apr 20 | — | May 18 – Jun 1 | Jul 21 – Aug 4 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 13 – Apr 20 | — | May 18 – Jun 1 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 13 – Apr 20 | May 25 – Jun 8 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 20 – May 18 | Jul 7 – Jul 21 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 20 – May 18 | Jul 21 – Aug 4 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 20 – May 11 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 27 – May 25 | Jul 21 – Aug 4 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 27 – May 18 | Aug 4 – Aug 25 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 18 – Jun 8 | Jul 14 – Jul 28 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 18 – Jun 1 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 25 – Jun 15 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 15 – Oct 20 |
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 Center 4se, ND weather station, 10 km away (elevation 1,991 ft (607 m)).
Frost dates near Center
- Washburn May 12 · Sep 30
- Stanton May 12 · Oct 3
- Wilton May 11 · Sep 30
- Underwood May 10 · Sep 29
- Baldwin May 10 · Sep 30
- Hazen May 21 · Sep 20
- Mandan May 13 · Sep 27
- Riverdale May 12 · Oct 3
- New Salem May 18 · Sep 24
- Coleharbor May 10 · Sep 29
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Center, ND?
The median last spring frost in Center, ND is May 11. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 26, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Center, ND?
The median first fall frost is September 29, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 15.
How long is the growing season in Center, ND?
About 141 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Center, ND?
Center, ND is in USDA hardiness zone 4a.