New Salem, ND frost dates
Last spring frostMay 18median date
First fall frostSep 24median date
Growing season129 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone4aZone 4a
How New Salem compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in New Salem falls between May 6 and June 1, a 26-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 12 and October 6.
- The median last frost is 6 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 6 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 192 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Bismarck, ND, 51 km away, the last frost here is 8 days later than there and the growing season is 14 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | May 6 |
| 50% (median) | May 18 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | June 1 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 12 |
| 50% (median) | September 24 |
| 90% (late) | October 6 |
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 New Salem, ND
New Salem, ND frost dates — last frost May 18, first frost Sep 24, zone 4a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Feb 23 to Mar 9Transplant outside: Apr 20 to May 4
Start indoors: Mar 9 to Mar 23Transplant outside: Jun 1 to Jun 15
Start indoors: Mar 9 to Mar 23Transplant outside: Jun 1 to Jun 15
Start indoors: Mar 23 to Apr 6Transplant outside: May 25 to Jun 8
Start indoors: Mar 23 to Apr 6Transplant outside: Apr 27 to May 11Sow outdoors: Apr 20 to May 25Plant for fall: Jul 30 to Aug 27
Start indoors: Mar 23 to Apr 6Transplant outside: Apr 20 to May 4Sow outdoors: Apr 20 to May 4Plant for fall: Jul 16 to Aug 6
Start indoors: Mar 23 to Apr 6Transplant outside: May 4 to May 18Plant for fall: Jun 18 to Jul 9
Start indoors: Mar 23 to Apr 6Transplant outside: Apr 27 to May 11Plant for fall: Jun 18 to Jul 9
Start indoors: Mar 23 to Apr 6Transplant outside: May 4 to May 18Plant for fall: Jun 18 to Jul 9
Start indoors: Apr 6 to Apr 20Transplant outside: Jun 8 to Jun 22Sow outdoors: Jun 8 to Jun 22
Start indoors: Apr 6 to Apr 20Transplant outside: May 25 to Jun 8
Sow outdoors: Apr 6 to Apr 27Plant for fall: Jul 2 to Jul 23
Sow outdoors: Apr 6 to Apr 27Plant for fall: Jul 30 to Aug 20
Sow outdoors: Apr 13 to May 25Plant for fall: Aug 13 to Sep 3
Start indoors: Apr 20 to Apr 27Transplant outside: Jun 1 to Jun 8Sow outdoors: May 25 to Jun 8Plant for fall: Jul 9 to Jul 23
Start indoors: Apr 20 to Apr 27Sow outdoors: May 25 to Jun 8Plant for fall: Jul 16 to Jul 30
Start indoors: Apr 20 to Apr 27Sow outdoors: May 25 to Jun 8
Start indoors: Apr 20 to Apr 27Transplant outside: Jun 1 to Jun 15
Sow outdoors: Apr 27 to May 25Plant for fall: Jul 2 to Jul 16
Sow outdoors: Apr 27 to May 25Plant for fall: Jul 16 to Jul 30
Sow outdoors: Apr 27 to May 18
Sow outdoors: May 4 to Jun 1Plant for fall: Jul 16 to Jul 30
Sow outdoors: May 4 to May 25Plant for fall: Jul 30 to Aug 20
Sow outdoors: May 25 to Jun 15Plant for fall: Jul 9 to Jul 23
Sow outdoors: May 25 to Jun 8
Transplant outside: Jun 1 to Jun 22
Plant for fall: Sep 10 to Oct 15
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in New Salem, ND
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | Apr 20 – May 4 | — | — |
| Peppers | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | Jun 1 – Jun 15 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | Jun 1 – Jun 15 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 23 – Apr 6 | May 25 – Jun 8 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 23 – Apr 6 | Apr 27 – May 11 | Apr 20 – May 25 | Jul 30 – Aug 27 |
| Kale | Mar 23 – Apr 6 | Apr 20 – May 4 | Apr 20 – May 4 | Jul 16 – Aug 6 |
| Broccoli | Mar 23 – Apr 6 | May 4 – May 18 | — | Jun 18 – Jul 9 |
| Cabbage | Mar 23 – Apr 6 | Apr 27 – May 11 | — | Jun 18 – Jul 9 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 23 – Apr 6 | May 4 – May 18 | — | Jun 18 – Jul 9 |
| Okra | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | Jun 8 – Jun 22 | Jun 8 – Jun 22 | — |
| Basil | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | May 25 – Jun 8 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Apr 6 – Apr 27 | Jul 2 – Jul 23 |
| Spinach | — | — | Apr 6 – Apr 27 | Jul 30 – Aug 20 |
| Radishes | — | — | Apr 13 – May 25 | Aug 13 – Sep 3 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 20 – Apr 27 | Jun 1 – Jun 8 | May 25 – Jun 8 | Jul 9 – Jul 23 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 20 – Apr 27 | — | May 25 – Jun 8 | Jul 16 – Jul 30 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 20 – Apr 27 | — | May 25 – Jun 8 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 20 – Apr 27 | Jun 1 – Jun 15 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 27 – May 25 | Jul 2 – Jul 16 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 27 – May 25 | Jul 16 – Jul 30 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 27 – May 18 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | May 4 – Jun 1 | Jul 16 – Jul 30 |
| Cilantro | — | — | May 4 – May 25 | Jul 30 – Aug 20 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 25 – Jun 15 | Jul 9 – Jul 23 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 25 – Jun 8 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Jun 1 – Jun 22 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 10 – Oct 15 |
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 New Salem 5nw, ND weather station, 11 km away (elevation 2,149 ft (655 m)).
Frost dates near New Salem
- Almont May 17 · Sep 21
- Flasher May 13 · Sep 27
- Glen Ullin May 19 · Sep 21
- Carson May 19 · Sep 25
- Mandan May 13 · Sep 27
- Center May 11 · Sep 29
- Saint Anthony May 14 · Sep 27
- Hebron May 19 · Sep 21
- Bismarck May 10 · Sep 30
- Baldwin May 10 · Sep 30
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in New Salem, ND?
The median last spring frost in New Salem, ND is May 18. 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 New Salem, ND?
The median first fall frost is September 24, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 12.
How long is the growing season in New Salem, ND?
About 129 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is New Salem, ND?
New Salem, ND is in USDA hardiness zone 4a.