Max, ND frost dates
Last spring frostMay 10median date
First fall frostSep 28median date
Growing season141 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone4aZone 4a
How Max compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Max falls between April 29 and May 25, a 26-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 15 and October 11.
- The median last frost is 2 days 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 188 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Bismarck, ND, 119 km away, the last frost here is the same as there and the growing season is 2 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 29 |
| 50% (median) | May 10 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 25 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 15 |
| 50% (median) | September 28 |
| 90% (late) | October 11 |
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 Max, ND
Max, ND frost dates — last frost May 10, first frost Sep 28, zone 4a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Feb 15 to Mar 1Transplant outside: Apr 12 to Apr 26
Start indoors: Mar 1 to Mar 15Transplant outside: May 24 to Jun 7
Start indoors: Mar 1 to Mar 15Transplant outside: May 24 to Jun 7
Start indoors: Mar 15 to Mar 29Transplant outside: May 17 to May 31
Start indoors: Mar 15 to Mar 29Transplant outside: Apr 19 to May 3Sow outdoors: Apr 12 to May 17Plant for fall: Aug 3 to Aug 31
Start indoors: Mar 15 to Mar 29Transplant outside: Apr 12 to Apr 26Sow outdoors: Apr 12 to Apr 26Plant for fall: Jul 20 to Aug 10
Start indoors: Mar 15 to Mar 29Transplant outside: Apr 26 to May 10Plant for fall: Jun 22 to Jul 13
Start indoors: Mar 15 to Mar 29Transplant outside: Apr 19 to May 3Plant for fall: Jun 22 to Jul 13
Start indoors: Mar 15 to Mar 29Transplant outside: Apr 26 to May 10Plant for fall: Jun 22 to Jul 13
Start indoors: Mar 29 to Apr 12Transplant outside: May 31 to Jun 14Sow outdoors: May 31 to Jun 14
Start indoors: Mar 29 to Apr 12Transplant outside: May 17 to May 31
Sow outdoors: Mar 29 to Apr 19Plant for fall: Jul 6 to Jul 27
Sow outdoors: Mar 29 to Apr 19Plant for fall: Aug 3 to Aug 24
Sow outdoors: Apr 5 to May 17Plant for fall: Aug 17 to Sep 7
Start indoors: Apr 12 to Apr 19Transplant outside: May 24 to May 31Sow outdoors: May 17 to May 31Plant for fall: Jul 13 to Jul 27
Start indoors: Apr 12 to Apr 19Sow outdoors: May 17 to May 31Plant for fall: Jul 20 to Aug 3
Start indoors: Apr 12 to Apr 19Sow outdoors: May 17 to May 31
Start indoors: Apr 12 to Apr 19Transplant outside: May 24 to Jun 7
Sow outdoors: Apr 19 to May 17Plant for fall: Jul 6 to Jul 20
Sow outdoors: Apr 19 to May 17Plant for fall: Jul 20 to Aug 3
Sow outdoors: Apr 19 to May 10
Sow outdoors: Apr 26 to May 24Plant for fall: Jul 20 to Aug 3
Sow outdoors: Apr 26 to May 17Plant for fall: Aug 3 to Aug 24
Sow outdoors: May 17 to Jun 7Plant for fall: Jul 13 to Jul 27
Sow outdoors: May 17 to May 31
Transplant outside: May 24 to Jun 14
Plant for fall: Sep 14 to Oct 19
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Max, ND
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | — | — |
| Peppers | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | May 24 – Jun 7 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | May 24 – Jun 7 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | May 17 – May 31 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | Apr 19 – May 3 | Apr 12 – May 17 | Aug 3 – Aug 31 |
| Kale | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | Jul 20 – Aug 10 |
| Broccoli | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | Apr 26 – May 10 | — | Jun 22 – Jul 13 |
| Cabbage | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | Apr 19 – May 3 | — | Jun 22 – Jul 13 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | Apr 26 – May 10 | — | Jun 22 – Jul 13 |
| Okra | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | May 31 – Jun 14 | May 31 – Jun 14 | — |
| Basil | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | May 17 – May 31 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 29 – Apr 19 | Jul 6 – Jul 27 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 29 – Apr 19 | Aug 3 – Aug 24 |
| Radishes | — | — | Apr 5 – May 17 | Aug 17 – Sep 7 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 12 – Apr 19 | May 24 – May 31 | May 17 – May 31 | Jul 13 – Jul 27 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 12 – Apr 19 | — | May 17 – May 31 | Jul 20 – Aug 3 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 12 – Apr 19 | — | May 17 – May 31 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 12 – Apr 19 | May 24 – Jun 7 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 19 – May 17 | Jul 6 – Jul 20 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 19 – May 17 | Jul 20 – Aug 3 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 19 – May 10 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 26 – May 24 | Jul 20 – Aug 3 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 26 – May 17 | Aug 3 – Aug 24 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 17 – Jun 7 | Jul 13 – Jul 27 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 17 – May 31 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 24 – Jun 14 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 14 – Oct 19 |
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 Max, ND weather station, about 1 km away (elevation 2,110 ft (643 m)).
Frost dates near Max
- Douglas May 10 · Sep 28
- Benedict May 10 · Sep 28
- Garrison May 14 · Sep 26
- Coleharbor May 10 · Sep 29
- Ruso May 16 · Sep 28
- Ryder May 10 · Sep 28
- Sawyer May 22 · Sep 22
- Riverdale May 12 · Oct 3
- Velva May 22 · Sep 22
- Underwood May 10 · Sep 29
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Max, ND?
The median last spring frost in Max, ND is May 10. 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 Max, ND?
The median first fall frost is September 28, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 15.
How long is the growing season in Max, ND?
About 141 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Max, ND?
Max, ND is in USDA hardiness zone 4a.