Rolla, ND frost dates
Last spring frostMay 20median date
First fall frostSep 26median date
Growing season129 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone3bZone 3b
How Rolla compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Rolla falls between May 8 and May 31, a 23-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 14 and October 8.
- The median last frost is 8 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 typical for zone 3b, where the median is May 17.
- The weather station records an average of 194 nights a year at or below 32°F.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | May 8 |
| 50% (median) | May 20 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 31 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 14 |
| 50% (median) | September 26 |
| 90% (late) | October 8 |
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 Rolla, ND
Rolla, ND frost dates — last frost May 20, first frost Sep 26, zone 3b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Feb 25 to Mar 11Transplant outside: Apr 22 to May 6
Start indoors: Mar 11 to Mar 25Transplant outside: Jun 3 to Jun 17
Start indoors: Mar 11 to Mar 25Transplant outside: Jun 3 to Jun 17
Start indoors: Mar 25 to Apr 8Transplant outside: May 27 to Jun 10
Start indoors: Mar 25 to Apr 8Transplant outside: Apr 29 to May 13Sow outdoors: Apr 22 to May 27Plant for fall: Aug 1 to Aug 29
Start indoors: Mar 25 to Apr 8Transplant outside: Apr 22 to May 6Sow outdoors: Apr 22 to May 6Plant for fall: Jul 18 to Aug 8
Start indoors: Mar 25 to Apr 8Transplant outside: May 6 to May 20Plant for fall: Jun 20 to Jul 11
Start indoors: Mar 25 to Apr 8Transplant outside: Apr 29 to May 13Plant for fall: Jun 20 to Jul 11
Start indoors: Mar 25 to Apr 8Transplant outside: May 6 to May 20Plant for fall: Jun 20 to Jul 11
Start indoors: Apr 8 to Apr 22Transplant outside: Jun 10 to Jun 24Sow outdoors: Jun 10 to Jun 24
Start indoors: Apr 8 to Apr 22Transplant outside: May 27 to Jun 10
Sow outdoors: Apr 8 to Apr 29Plant for fall: Jul 4 to Jul 25
Sow outdoors: Apr 8 to Apr 29Plant for fall: Aug 1 to Aug 22
Sow outdoors: Apr 15 to May 27Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Sep 5
Start indoors: Apr 22 to Apr 29Transplant outside: Jun 3 to Jun 10Sow outdoors: May 27 to Jun 10Plant for fall: Jul 11 to Jul 25
Start indoors: Apr 22 to Apr 29Sow outdoors: May 27 to Jun 10Plant for fall: Jul 18 to Aug 1
Start indoors: Apr 22 to Apr 29Sow outdoors: May 27 to Jun 10
Start indoors: Apr 22 to Apr 29Transplant outside: Jun 3 to Jun 17
Sow outdoors: Apr 29 to May 27Plant for fall: Jul 4 to Jul 18
Sow outdoors: Apr 29 to May 27Plant for fall: Jul 18 to Aug 1
Sow outdoors: Apr 29 to May 20
Sow outdoors: May 6 to Jun 3Plant for fall: Jul 18 to Aug 1
Sow outdoors: May 6 to May 27Plant for fall: Aug 1 to Aug 22
Sow outdoors: May 27 to Jun 17Plant for fall: Jul 11 to Jul 25
Sow outdoors: May 27 to Jun 10
Transplant outside: Jun 3 to Jun 24
Plant for fall: Sep 12 to Oct 17
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Rolla, ND
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Apr 22 – May 6 | — | — |
| Peppers | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | Jun 3 – Jun 17 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | Jun 3 – Jun 17 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | May 27 – Jun 10 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | Apr 29 – May 13 | Apr 22 – May 27 | Aug 1 – Aug 29 |
| Kale | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | Apr 22 – May 6 | Apr 22 – May 6 | Jul 18 – Aug 8 |
| Broccoli | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | May 6 – May 20 | — | Jun 20 – Jul 11 |
| Cabbage | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | Apr 29 – May 13 | — | Jun 20 – Jul 11 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | May 6 – May 20 | — | Jun 20 – Jul 11 |
| Okra | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | Jun 10 – Jun 24 | Jun 10 – Jun 24 | — |
| Basil | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | May 27 – Jun 10 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Apr 8 – Apr 29 | Jul 4 – Jul 25 |
| Spinach | — | — | Apr 8 – Apr 29 | Aug 1 – Aug 22 |
| Radishes | — | — | Apr 15 – May 27 | Aug 15 – Sep 5 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 22 – Apr 29 | Jun 3 – Jun 10 | May 27 – Jun 10 | Jul 11 – Jul 25 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 22 – Apr 29 | — | May 27 – Jun 10 | Jul 18 – Aug 1 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 22 – Apr 29 | — | May 27 – Jun 10 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 22 – Apr 29 | Jun 3 – Jun 17 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 29 – May 27 | Jul 4 – Jul 18 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 29 – May 27 | Jul 18 – Aug 1 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 29 – May 20 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | May 6 – Jun 3 | Jul 18 – Aug 1 |
| Cilantro | — | — | May 6 – May 27 | Aug 1 – Aug 22 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 27 – Jun 17 | Jul 11 – Jul 25 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 27 – Jun 10 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Jun 3 – Jun 24 | — | — |
| 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 Rolla 1ne, ND weather station, 3 km away (elevation 1,834 ft (559 m)).
Frost dates near Rolla
- Belcourt May 19 · Sep 24
- Saint John May 19 · Sep 24
- Hansboro May 20 · Sep 26
- Perth May 20 · Sep 26
- Mylo May 22 · Sep 20
- Rolette May 22 · Sep 20
- Agate May 22 · Sep 20
- Dunseith May 19 · Sep 24
- Bisbee May 22 · Sep 20
- Rocklake May 18 · Sep 23
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Rolla, ND?
The median last spring frost in Rolla, ND is May 20. 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 Rolla, ND?
The median first fall frost is September 26, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 14.
How long is the growing season in Rolla, ND?
About 129 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Rolla, ND?
Rolla, ND is in USDA hardiness zone 3b.