Fortuna, ND frost dates
Last spring frostMay 19median date
First fall frostSep 17median date
Growing season121 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone3bZone 3b
How Fortuna compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Fortuna falls between May 8 and May 31, a 23-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 4 and September 28.
- The median last frost is 7 days later than the North Dakota median of May 12.
- Its 121-day growing season is among the shortest of the 372 North Dakota places with a regular frost season.
- The last frost is typical for zone 3b, where the median is May 17.
- The weather station records an average of 204 nights a year at or below 32°F.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | May 8 |
| 50% (median) | May 19 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 31 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 4 |
| 50% (median) | September 17 |
| 90% (late) | September 28 |
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 Fortuna, ND
Fortuna, ND frost dates — last frost May 19, first frost Sep 17, zone 3b. 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 23 to Aug 20
Start indoors: Mar 24 to Apr 7Transplant outside: Apr 21 to May 5Sow outdoors: Apr 21 to May 5Plant for fall: Jul 9 to Jul 30
Start indoors: Mar 24 to Apr 7Transplant outside: May 5 to May 19Plant for fall: Jun 11 to Jul 2
Start indoors: Mar 24 to Apr 7Transplant outside: Apr 28 to May 12Plant for fall: Jun 11 to Jul 2
Start indoors: Mar 24 to Apr 7Transplant outside: May 5 to May 19Plant for fall: Jun 11 to Jul 2
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: Jun 25 to Jul 16
Sow outdoors: Apr 7 to Apr 28Plant for fall: Jul 23 to Aug 13
Sow outdoors: Apr 14 to May 26Plant for fall: Aug 6 to Aug 27
Start indoors: Apr 21 to Apr 28Transplant outside: Jun 2 to Jun 9Sow outdoors: May 26 to Jun 9Plant for fall: Jul 2 to Jul 16
Start indoors: Apr 21 to Apr 28Sow outdoors: May 26 to Jun 9Plant for fall: Jul 9 to Jul 23
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: Jun 25 to Jul 9
Sow outdoors: Apr 28 to May 26Plant for fall: Jul 9 to Jul 23
Sow outdoors: Apr 28 to May 19
Sow outdoors: May 5 to Jun 2Plant for fall: Jul 9 to Jul 23
Sow outdoors: May 5 to May 26Plant for fall: Jul 23 to Aug 13
Sow outdoors: May 26 to Jun 16Plant for fall: Jul 2 to Jul 16
Sow outdoors: May 26 to Jun 9
Transplant outside: Jun 2 to Jun 23
Plant for fall: Sep 3 to Oct 8
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Fortuna, 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 23 – Aug 20 |
| Kale | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | Apr 21 – May 5 | Apr 21 – May 5 | Jul 9 – Jul 30 |
| Broccoli | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | May 5 – May 19 | — | Jun 11 – Jul 2 |
| Cabbage | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | Apr 28 – May 12 | — | Jun 11 – Jul 2 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | May 5 – May 19 | — | Jun 11 – Jul 2 |
| 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 | Jun 25 – Jul 16 |
| Spinach | — | — | Apr 7 – Apr 28 | Jul 23 – Aug 13 |
| Radishes | — | — | Apr 14 – May 26 | Aug 6 – Aug 27 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 21 – Apr 28 | Jun 2 – Jun 9 | May 26 – Jun 9 | Jul 2 – Jul 16 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 21 – Apr 28 | — | May 26 – Jun 9 | Jul 9 – Jul 23 |
| 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 | Jun 25 – Jul 9 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 28 – May 26 | Jul 9 – Jul 23 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 28 – May 19 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | May 5 – Jun 2 | Jul 9 – Jul 23 |
| Cilantro | — | — | May 5 – May 26 | Jul 23 – Aug 13 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 26 – Jun 16 | Jul 2 – Jul 16 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 26 – Jun 9 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Jun 2 – Jun 23 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 3 – Oct 8 |
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 Fortuna 1 W, ND weather station, 6 km away (elevation 2,349 ft (716 m)).
Frost dates near Fortuna
- Ambrose May 17 · Sep 23
- Zahl May 18 · Sep 20
- Crosby May 17 · Sep 23
- Alamo May 18 · Sep 20
- Grenora May 16 · Sep 18
- Noonan May 17 · Sep 23
- Wildrose May 18 · Sep 20
- Mcgregor May 18 · Sep 17
- Columbus May 18 · Sep 17
- Epping May 21 · Sep 21
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Fortuna, ND?
The median last spring frost in Fortuna, ND is May 19. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 31, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Fortuna, ND?
The median first fall frost is September 17, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 4.
How long is the growing season in Fortuna, ND?
About 121 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Fortuna, ND?
Fortuna, ND is in USDA hardiness zone 3b.