Ray, ND frost dates
Last spring frostMay 11median date
First fall frostSep 26median date
Growing season138 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone4aZone 4a
How Ray compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Ray falls between April 30 and May 24, a 24-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 13 and October 9.
- The median last frost is 1 day earlier than 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 196 nights a year at or below 32°F.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 30 |
| 50% (median) | May 11 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 24 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 13 |
| 50% (median) | September 26 |
| 90% (late) | October 9 |
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 Ray, ND
Ray, ND frost dates — last frost May 11, first frost Sep 26, zone 4a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Feb 16 to Mar 2Transplant outside: Apr 13 to Apr 27
Start indoors: Mar 2 to Mar 16Transplant outside: May 25 to Jun 8
Start indoors: Mar 2 to Mar 16Transplant outside: May 25 to Jun 8
Start indoors: Mar 16 to Mar 30Transplant outside: May 18 to Jun 1
Start indoors: Mar 16 to Mar 30Transplant outside: Apr 20 to May 4Sow outdoors: Apr 13 to May 18Plant for fall: Aug 1 to Aug 29
Start indoors: Mar 16 to Mar 30Transplant outside: Apr 13 to Apr 27Sow outdoors: Apr 13 to Apr 27Plant for fall: Jul 18 to Aug 8
Start indoors: Mar 16 to Mar 30Transplant outside: Apr 27 to May 11Plant for fall: Jun 20 to Jul 11
Start indoors: Mar 16 to Mar 30Transplant outside: Apr 20 to May 4Plant for fall: Jun 20 to Jul 11
Start indoors: Mar 16 to Mar 30Transplant outside: Apr 27 to May 11Plant for fall: Jun 20 to Jul 11
Start indoors: Mar 30 to Apr 13Transplant outside: Jun 1 to Jun 15Sow outdoors: Jun 1 to Jun 15
Start indoors: Mar 30 to Apr 13Transplant outside: May 18 to Jun 1
Sow outdoors: Mar 30 to Apr 20Plant for fall: Jul 4 to Jul 25
Sow outdoors: Mar 30 to Apr 20Plant for fall: Aug 1 to Aug 22
Sow outdoors: Apr 6 to May 18Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Sep 5
Start indoors: Apr 13 to Apr 20Transplant outside: May 25 to Jun 1Sow outdoors: May 18 to Jun 1Plant for fall: Jul 11 to Jul 25
Start indoors: Apr 13 to Apr 20Sow outdoors: May 18 to Jun 1Plant for fall: Jul 18 to Aug 1
Start indoors: Apr 13 to Apr 20Sow outdoors: May 18 to Jun 1
Start indoors: Apr 13 to Apr 20Transplant outside: May 25 to Jun 8
Sow outdoors: Apr 20 to May 18Plant for fall: Jul 4 to Jul 18
Sow outdoors: Apr 20 to May 18Plant for fall: Jul 18 to Aug 1
Sow outdoors: Apr 20 to May 11
Sow outdoors: Apr 27 to May 25Plant for fall: Jul 18 to Aug 1
Sow outdoors: Apr 27 to May 18Plant for fall: Aug 1 to Aug 22
Sow outdoors: May 18 to Jun 8Plant for fall: Jul 11 to Jul 25
Sow outdoors: May 18 to Jun 1
Transplant outside: May 25 to Jun 15
Plant for fall: Sep 12 to Oct 17
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Ray, ND
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 16 – Mar 2 | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | — | — |
| Peppers | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | May 25 – Jun 8 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | May 25 – Jun 8 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 16 – Mar 30 | May 18 – Jun 1 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 16 – Mar 30 | Apr 20 – May 4 | Apr 13 – May 18 | Aug 1 – Aug 29 |
| Kale | Mar 16 – Mar 30 | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | Jul 18 – Aug 8 |
| Broccoli | Mar 16 – Mar 30 | Apr 27 – May 11 | — | Jun 20 – Jul 11 |
| Cabbage | Mar 16 – Mar 30 | Apr 20 – May 4 | — | Jun 20 – Jul 11 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 16 – Mar 30 | Apr 27 – May 11 | — | Jun 20 – Jul 11 |
| Okra | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | Jun 1 – Jun 15 | Jun 1 – Jun 15 | — |
| Basil | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | May 18 – Jun 1 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 30 – Apr 20 | Jul 4 – Jul 25 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 30 – Apr 20 | Aug 1 – Aug 22 |
| Radishes | — | — | Apr 6 – May 18 | Aug 15 – Sep 5 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 13 – Apr 20 | May 25 – Jun 1 | May 18 – Jun 1 | Jul 11 – Jul 25 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 13 – Apr 20 | — | May 18 – Jun 1 | Jul 18 – Aug 1 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 13 – Apr 20 | — | May 18 – Jun 1 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 13 – Apr 20 | May 25 – Jun 8 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 20 – May 18 | Jul 4 – Jul 18 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 20 – May 18 | Jul 18 – Aug 1 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 20 – May 11 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 27 – May 25 | Jul 18 – Aug 1 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 27 – May 18 | Aug 1 – Aug 22 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 18 – Jun 8 | Jul 11 – Jul 25 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 18 – Jun 1 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 25 – Jun 15 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 12 – Oct 17 |
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 Tioga 1e, ND weather station, 20 km away (elevation 2,244 ft (684 m)).
Frost dates near Ray
- Tioga May 11 · Sep 26
- Epping May 21 · Sep 21
- Wildrose May 18 · Sep 20
- White Earth May 11 · Sep 26
- Mcgregor May 18 · Sep 17
- Alamo May 18 · Sep 20
- Williston May 21 · Sep 21
- Ross May 17 · Sep 23
- Zahl May 18 · Sep 20
- Keene May 20 · Sep 20
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Ray, ND?
The median last spring frost in Ray, ND is May 11. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 24, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Ray, ND?
The median first fall frost is September 26, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 13.
How long is the growing season in Ray, ND?
About 138 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Ray, ND?
Ray, ND is in USDA hardiness zone 4a.