Drake, ND frost dates
Last spring frostMay 12median date
First fall frostSep 27median date
Growing season138 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone4aZone 4a
How Drake compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Drake falls between May 2 and May 25, a 23-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 16 and October 8.
- The median last frost is the same as the North Dakota median of May 12.
- Its 138-day growing season is longer than 44% 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 191 nights a year at or below 32°F.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | May 2 |
| 50% (median) | May 12 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 25 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 16 |
| 50% (median) | September 27 |
| 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 Drake, ND
Drake, ND frost dates — last frost May 12, first frost Sep 27, zone 4a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Feb 17 to Mar 3Transplant outside: Apr 14 to Apr 28
Start indoors: Mar 3 to Mar 17Transplant outside: May 26 to Jun 9
Start indoors: Mar 3 to Mar 17Transplant outside: May 26 to Jun 9
Start indoors: Mar 17 to Mar 31Transplant outside: May 19 to Jun 2
Start indoors: Mar 17 to Mar 31Transplant outside: Apr 21 to May 5Sow outdoors: Apr 14 to May 19Plant for fall: Aug 2 to Aug 30
Start indoors: Mar 17 to Mar 31Transplant outside: Apr 14 to Apr 28Sow outdoors: Apr 14 to Apr 28Plant for fall: Jul 19 to Aug 9
Start indoors: Mar 17 to Mar 31Transplant outside: Apr 28 to May 12Plant for fall: Jun 21 to Jul 12
Start indoors: Mar 17 to Mar 31Transplant outside: Apr 21 to May 5Plant for fall: Jun 21 to Jul 12
Start indoors: Mar 17 to Mar 31Transplant outside: Apr 28 to May 12Plant for fall: Jun 21 to Jul 12
Start indoors: Mar 31 to Apr 14Transplant outside: Jun 2 to Jun 16Sow outdoors: Jun 2 to Jun 16
Start indoors: Mar 31 to Apr 14Transplant outside: May 19 to Jun 2
Sow outdoors: Mar 31 to Apr 21Plant for fall: Jul 5 to Jul 26
Sow outdoors: Mar 31 to Apr 21Plant for fall: Aug 2 to Aug 23
Sow outdoors: Apr 7 to May 19Plant for fall: Aug 16 to Sep 6
Start indoors: Apr 14 to Apr 21Transplant outside: May 26 to Jun 2Sow outdoors: May 19 to Jun 2Plant for fall: Jul 12 to Jul 26
Start indoors: Apr 14 to Apr 21Sow outdoors: May 19 to Jun 2Plant for fall: Jul 19 to Aug 2
Start indoors: Apr 14 to Apr 21Sow outdoors: May 19 to Jun 2
Start indoors: Apr 14 to Apr 21Transplant outside: May 26 to Jun 9
Sow outdoors: Apr 21 to May 19Plant for fall: Jul 5 to Jul 19
Sow outdoors: Apr 21 to May 19Plant for fall: Jul 19 to Aug 2
Sow outdoors: Apr 21 to May 12
Sow outdoors: Apr 28 to May 26Plant for fall: Jul 19 to Aug 2
Sow outdoors: Apr 28 to May 19Plant for fall: Aug 2 to Aug 23
Sow outdoors: May 19 to Jun 9Plant for fall: Jul 12 to Jul 26
Sow outdoors: May 19 to Jun 2
Transplant outside: May 26 to Jun 16
Plant for fall: Sep 13 to Oct 18
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Drake, ND
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 17 – Mar 3 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | — | — |
| Peppers | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | May 26 – Jun 9 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | May 26 – Jun 9 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | May 19 – Jun 2 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | Apr 21 – May 5 | Apr 14 – May 19 | Aug 2 – Aug 30 |
| Kale | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | Jul 19 – Aug 9 |
| Broccoli | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | Apr 28 – May 12 | — | Jun 21 – Jul 12 |
| Cabbage | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | Apr 21 – May 5 | — | Jun 21 – Jul 12 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | Apr 28 – May 12 | — | Jun 21 – Jul 12 |
| Okra | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | Jun 2 – Jun 16 | Jun 2 – Jun 16 | — |
| Basil | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | May 19 – Jun 2 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 31 – Apr 21 | Jul 5 – Jul 26 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 31 – Apr 21 | Aug 2 – Aug 23 |
| Radishes | — | — | Apr 7 – May 19 | Aug 16 – Sep 6 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 14 – Apr 21 | May 26 – Jun 2 | May 19 – Jun 2 | Jul 12 – Jul 26 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 14 – Apr 21 | — | May 19 – Jun 2 | Jul 19 – Aug 2 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 14 – Apr 21 | — | May 19 – Jun 2 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 14 – Apr 21 | May 26 – Jun 9 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 21 – May 19 | Jul 5 – Jul 19 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 21 – May 19 | Jul 19 – Aug 2 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 21 – May 12 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 28 – May 26 | Jul 19 – Aug 2 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 28 – May 19 | Aug 2 – Aug 23 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 19 – Jun 9 | Jul 12 – Jul 26 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 19 – Jun 2 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 26 – Jun 16 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 13 – Oct 18 |
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 Drake 9 Ne, ND weather station, 17 km away (elevation 1,549 ft (472 m)).
Frost dates near Drake
- Anamoose May 12 · Sep 27
- Balfour May 12 · Sep 27
- Butte May 16 · Sep 28
- Martin May 12 · Sep 26
- Karlsruhe May 12 · Sep 27
- Voltaire May 22 · Sep 22
- Denhoff May 8 · Oct 1
- Balta May 11 · Sep 28
- Ruso May 16 · Sep 28
- Velva May 22 · Sep 22
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Drake, ND?
The median last spring frost in Drake, ND is May 12. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 25, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Drake, ND?
The median first fall frost is September 27, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 16.
How long is the growing season in Drake, ND?
About 138 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Drake, ND?
Drake, ND is in USDA hardiness zone 4a.