Oakes, ND frost dates
Last spring frostMay 8median date
First fall frostSep 28median date
Growing season143 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone4aZone 4a
How Oakes compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Oakes falls between April 26 and May 21, a 25-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 16 and October 12.
- The median last frost is 4 days earlier than the North Dakota median of May 12.
- Its 143-day growing season is longer than 74% of the 372 North Dakota places with a regular frost season (state median 139 days).
- The last frost is 4 days earlier 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 184 nights a year at or below 32°F.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 26 |
| 50% (median) | May 8 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 21 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 16 |
| 50% (median) | September 28 |
| 90% (late) | October 12 |
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 Oakes, ND
Oakes, ND frost dates — last frost May 8, first frost Sep 28, zone 4a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Feb 13 to Feb 27Transplant outside: Apr 10 to Apr 24
Start indoors: Feb 27 to Mar 13Transplant outside: May 22 to Jun 5
Start indoors: Feb 27 to Mar 13Transplant outside: May 22 to Jun 5
Start indoors: Mar 13 to Mar 27Transplant outside: May 15 to May 29
Start indoors: Mar 13 to Mar 27Transplant outside: Apr 17 to May 1Sow outdoors: Apr 10 to May 15Plant for fall: Aug 3 to Aug 31
Start indoors: Mar 13 to Mar 27Transplant outside: Apr 10 to Apr 24Sow outdoors: Apr 10 to Apr 24Plant for fall: Jul 20 to Aug 10
Start indoors: Mar 13 to Mar 27Transplant outside: Apr 24 to May 8Plant for fall: Jun 22 to Jul 13
Start indoors: Mar 13 to Mar 27Transplant outside: Apr 17 to May 1Plant for fall: Jun 22 to Jul 13
Start indoors: Mar 13 to Mar 27Transplant outside: Apr 24 to May 8Plant for fall: Jun 22 to Jul 13
Start indoors: Mar 27 to Apr 10Transplant outside: May 29 to Jun 12Sow outdoors: May 29 to Jun 12
Start indoors: Mar 27 to Apr 10Transplant outside: May 15 to May 29
Sow outdoors: Mar 27 to Apr 17Plant for fall: Jul 6 to Jul 27
Sow outdoors: Mar 27 to Apr 17Plant for fall: Aug 3 to Aug 24
Sow outdoors: Apr 3 to May 15Plant for fall: Aug 17 to Sep 7
Start indoors: Apr 10 to Apr 17Transplant outside: May 22 to May 29Sow outdoors: May 15 to May 29Plant for fall: Jul 13 to Jul 27
Start indoors: Apr 10 to Apr 17Sow outdoors: May 15 to May 29Plant for fall: Jul 20 to Aug 3
Start indoors: Apr 10 to Apr 17Sow outdoors: May 15 to May 29
Start indoors: Apr 10 to Apr 17Transplant outside: May 22 to Jun 5
Sow outdoors: Apr 17 to May 15Plant for fall: Jul 6 to Jul 20
Sow outdoors: Apr 17 to May 15Plant for fall: Jul 20 to Aug 3
Sow outdoors: Apr 17 to May 8
Sow outdoors: Apr 24 to May 22Plant for fall: Jul 20 to Aug 3
Sow outdoors: Apr 24 to May 15Plant for fall: Aug 3 to Aug 24
Sow outdoors: May 15 to Jun 5Plant for fall: Jul 13 to Jul 27
Sow outdoors: May 15 to May 29
Transplant outside: May 22 to Jun 12
Plant for fall: Sep 14 to Oct 19
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Oakes, ND
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 13 – Feb 27 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | May 22 – Jun 5 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | May 22 – Jun 5 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | May 15 – May 29 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | Apr 17 – May 1 | Apr 10 – May 15 | Aug 3 – Aug 31 |
| Kale | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | Jul 20 – Aug 10 |
| Broccoli | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | Apr 24 – May 8 | — | Jun 22 – Jul 13 |
| Cabbage | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | Apr 17 – May 1 | — | Jun 22 – Jul 13 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | Apr 24 – May 8 | — | Jun 22 – Jul 13 |
| Okra | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | May 29 – Jun 12 | May 29 – Jun 12 | — |
| Basil | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | May 15 – May 29 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 27 – Apr 17 | Jul 6 – Jul 27 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 27 – Apr 17 | Aug 3 – Aug 24 |
| Radishes | — | — | Apr 3 – May 15 | Aug 17 – Sep 7 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 10 – Apr 17 | May 22 – May 29 | May 15 – May 29 | Jul 13 – Jul 27 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 10 – Apr 17 | — | May 15 – May 29 | Jul 20 – Aug 3 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 10 – Apr 17 | — | May 15 – May 29 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 10 – Apr 17 | May 22 – Jun 5 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 17 – May 15 | Jul 6 – Jul 20 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 17 – May 15 | Jul 20 – Aug 3 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 17 – May 8 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 24 – May 22 | Jul 20 – Aug 3 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 24 – May 15 | Aug 3 – Aug 24 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 15 – Jun 5 | Jul 13 – Jul 27 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 15 – May 29 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 22 – Jun 12 | — | — |
| 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 Oakes, ND weather station, 11 km away (elevation 1,325 ft (404 m)).
Frost dates near Oakes
- Fullerton May 9 · Sep 28
- Ellendale May 4 · Oct 2
- Verona May 10 · Sep 28
- Cogswell May 7 · Oct 1
- Lamoure May 10 · Sep 28
- Stirum May 8 · Sep 28
- Berlin May 10 · Sep 28
- Forman May 7 · Oct 1
- Fort Ransom May 12 · Sep 27
- Gwinner May 7 · Oct 1
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Oakes, ND?
The median last spring frost in Oakes, ND is May 8. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 21, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Oakes, ND?
The median first fall frost is September 28, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 16.
How long is the growing season in Oakes, ND?
About 143 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Oakes, ND?
Oakes, ND is in USDA hardiness zone 4a.