Willow City, ND frost dates
Last spring frostMay 21median date
First fall frostSep 20median date
Growing season122 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone3bZone 3b
How Willow City compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Willow City falls between May 11 and June 1, a 21-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 5 and October 1.
- The median last frost is 9 days later than the North Dakota median of May 12.
- Its 122-day growing season is among the shortest of the 372 North Dakota places with a regular frost season.
- The last frost is 4 days later than the zone 3b median of May 17. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 3b chart.
- The weather station records an average of 206 nights a year at or below 32°F.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | May 11 |
| 50% (median) | May 21 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | June 1 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 5 |
| 50% (median) | September 20 |
| 90% (late) | October 1 |
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 Willow City, ND
Willow City, ND frost dates — last frost May 21, first frost Sep 20, zone 3b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Feb 26 to Mar 12Transplant outside: Apr 23 to May 7
Start indoors: Mar 12 to Mar 26Transplant outside: Jun 4 to Jun 18
Start indoors: Mar 12 to Mar 26Transplant outside: Jun 4 to Jun 18
Start indoors: Mar 26 to Apr 9Transplant outside: May 28 to Jun 11
Start indoors: Mar 26 to Apr 9Transplant outside: Apr 30 to May 14Sow outdoors: Apr 23 to May 28Plant for fall: Jul 26 to Aug 23
Start indoors: Mar 26 to Apr 9Transplant outside: Apr 23 to May 7Sow outdoors: Apr 23 to May 7Plant for fall: Jul 12 to Aug 2
Start indoors: Mar 26 to Apr 9Transplant outside: May 7 to May 21Plant for fall: Jun 14 to Jul 5
Start indoors: Mar 26 to Apr 9Transplant outside: Apr 30 to May 14Plant for fall: Jun 14 to Jul 5
Start indoors: Mar 26 to Apr 9Transplant outside: May 7 to May 21Plant for fall: Jun 14 to Jul 5
Start indoors: Apr 9 to Apr 23Transplant outside: Jun 11 to Jun 25Sow outdoors: Jun 11 to Jun 25
Start indoors: Apr 9 to Apr 23Transplant outside: May 28 to Jun 11
Sow outdoors: Apr 9 to Apr 30Plant for fall: Jun 28 to Jul 19
Sow outdoors: Apr 9 to Apr 30Plant for fall: Jul 26 to Aug 16
Sow outdoors: Apr 16 to May 28Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Aug 30
Start indoors: Apr 23 to Apr 30Transplant outside: Jun 4 to Jun 11Sow outdoors: May 28 to Jun 11Plant for fall: Jul 5 to Jul 19
Start indoors: Apr 23 to Apr 30Sow outdoors: May 28 to Jun 11Plant for fall: Jul 12 to Jul 26
Start indoors: Apr 23 to Apr 30Sow outdoors: May 28 to Jun 11
Start indoors: Apr 23 to Apr 30Transplant outside: Jun 4 to Jun 18
Sow outdoors: Apr 30 to May 28Plant for fall: Jun 28 to Jul 12
Sow outdoors: Apr 30 to May 28Plant for fall: Jul 12 to Jul 26
Sow outdoors: Apr 30 to May 21
Sow outdoors: May 7 to Jun 4Plant for fall: Jul 12 to Jul 26
Sow outdoors: May 7 to May 28Plant for fall: Jul 26 to Aug 16
Sow outdoors: May 28 to Jun 18Plant for fall: Jul 5 to Jul 19
Sow outdoors: May 28 to Jun 11
Transplant outside: Jun 4 to Jun 25
Plant for fall: Sep 6 to Oct 11
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Willow City, ND
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Apr 23 – May 7 | — | — |
| Peppers | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | Jun 4 – Jun 18 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | Jun 4 – Jun 18 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | May 28 – Jun 11 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | Apr 30 – May 14 | Apr 23 – May 28 | Jul 26 – Aug 23 |
| Kale | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | Apr 23 – May 7 | Apr 23 – May 7 | Jul 12 – Aug 2 |
| Broccoli | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | May 7 – May 21 | — | Jun 14 – Jul 5 |
| Cabbage | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | Apr 30 – May 14 | — | Jun 14 – Jul 5 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | May 7 – May 21 | — | Jun 14 – Jul 5 |
| Okra | Apr 9 – Apr 23 | Jun 11 – Jun 25 | Jun 11 – Jun 25 | — |
| Basil | Apr 9 – Apr 23 | May 28 – Jun 11 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Apr 9 – Apr 30 | Jun 28 – Jul 19 |
| Spinach | — | — | Apr 9 – Apr 30 | Jul 26 – Aug 16 |
| Radishes | — | — | Apr 16 – May 28 | Aug 9 – Aug 30 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 23 – Apr 30 | Jun 4 – Jun 11 | May 28 – Jun 11 | Jul 5 – Jul 19 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 23 – Apr 30 | — | May 28 – Jun 11 | Jul 12 – Jul 26 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 23 – Apr 30 | — | May 28 – Jun 11 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 23 – Apr 30 | Jun 4 – Jun 18 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 30 – May 28 | Jun 28 – Jul 12 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 30 – May 28 | Jul 12 – Jul 26 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 30 – May 21 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | May 7 – Jun 4 | Jul 12 – Jul 26 |
| Cilantro | — | — | May 7 – May 28 | Jul 26 – Aug 16 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 28 – Jun 18 | Jul 5 – Jul 19 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 28 – Jun 11 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Jun 4 – Jun 25 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 6 – Oct 11 |
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 Willow City, ND weather station, about 1 km away (elevation 1,473 ft (449 m)).
Frost dates near Willow City
- Bantry May 15 · Sep 25
- Bottineau May 15 · Sep 25
- Kramer May 15 · Sep 25
- Towner May 17 · Sep 22
- Upham May 15 · Sep 25
- Rolette May 22 · Sep 20
- Dunseith May 19 · Sep 24
- Souris May 14 · Sep 25
- Rugby May 17 · Sep 23
- Belcourt May 19 · Sep 24
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Willow City, ND?
The median last spring frost in Willow City, ND is May 21. 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 Willow City, ND?
The median first fall frost is September 20, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 5.
How long is the growing season in Willow City, ND?
About 122 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Willow City, ND?
Willow City, ND is in USDA hardiness zone 3b.