§ When to plant · North Dakota · Checked Sept 2026
In Fargo, tender crops like tomatoes and peppers can go out around May 15, and frost has historically passed 9 years in 10 by May 26. Cool-season crops go in from February, and again from July for fall.
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§ 010 · Frost dates
Based on NOAA's 1991–2020 station records, with adjustments for tender crops.
| City · NOAA station | Last frost, on average | Plant tender crops from | Frost is over, 9 of 10 years by | Fall frost possible from |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BeulahBEULAH 1 W · 2 km | May 21 | Jun 4June 4 | Jun 17 | Sep 5 |
| BismarckBISMARCK 2.4 NNW · 3 km | May 10 | May 22May 22 | Jun 2 | Sep 16 |
| CasseltonCASSELTON AGRONOMY FARM · 3 km | May 9 | May 19May 19 | May 29 | Sep 17 |
| Devils LakeDEVILS LAKE KDLR · 1 km | May 6 | May 17May 17 | May 28 | Sep 26 |
| DickinsonDICKINSON · 1 km | May 20 | Jun 3June 3 | Jun 17 | Sep 8 |
| FargoFARGO 3S · 5 km | May 4 | May 15May 15 | May 26 | Sep 22 |
| GraftonGRAFTON · 1 km | May 4 | May 15May 15 | May 26 | Sep 25 |
| Grand ForksGRAND FORKS UNIV (NWS) · 1 km | May 10 | May 21May 21 | Jun 1 | Sep 20 |
| HoraceFARGO 3S · 12 km | May 4 | May 15May 15 | May 26 | Sep 22 |
| JamestownJAMESTOWN STATE HOSP · 2 km | May 8 | May 20May 20 | May 31 | Sep 17 |
| LincolnBISMARCK WFO · 5 km | May 14 | May 25May 25 | Jun 5 | Sep 18 |
| MandanMANDAN EXPERIMENT STATION · 3 km | May 13 | May 24May 24 | Jun 4 | Sep 15 |
| MinotMINOT INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT · 2 km | May 10 | May 21May 21 | May 31 | Sep 19 |
| New TownKEENE 3S · 34 km | May 20 | Jun 5June 5 | Jun 20 | Sep 5 |
| RugbyRUGBY · 1 km | May 17 | May 30May 30 | Jun 11 | Sep 11 |
| Valley CityVALLEY CITY 3 NNW · 4 km | May 13 | May 24May 24 | Jun 4 | Sep 14 |
| WahpetonBRECKENRIDGE 3E · 8 km | May 4 | May 15May 15 | May 25 | Sep 21 |
| Watford CityWATFORD CITY · 2 km | May 9 | May 21May 21 | Jun 1 | Sep 15 |
| West FargoFARGO 3S · 9 km | May 4 | May 15May 15 | May 26 | Sep 22 |
| WillistonWILLISTON SLOULIN INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT · 1 km | May 21 | Jun 3June 3 | Jun 16 | Sep 9 |
North Dakota's 20 largest cities (U.S. Census Bureau 2025 estimates), A to Z, each with its nearest NOAA station and the distance to it. Search any town to get its nearest station. "Plant tender crops from" is halfway between the average last frost and the date frost is over 9 years in 10; if frost is in the forecast after it, wait until it passes and nights stay above 36°F.
§ 020 · What to plant
Planting windows from North Dakota's Cooperative Extension Service. Filter by season or crop group; every view has its own link.
Link to this view getezina.com/when-to-plant/north-dakota/
§ 030 · Crop by crop
Each crop has its own link, like #tomatoes. Tender crops wait for the frost dates above; succession crops are sown again every few weeks for a steady harvest.
Eruca vesicaria
Cool season
Sow April to May.
Ready in about 35 days.
Source: NDSU Extension, North Dakota State University, NDSU Extension garden fact sheets with North Dakota planting timing (Gardening with Children; From Garden to Table: Leafy Greens!; Field to Fork series; Sauerkraut: From Garden to Table; From the Garden to the Table: Salsa!; Rhubarb and Asparagus). Days to harvest: Ezina crop catalog, from state extension guides.
Asparagus officinalis
Perennial
Plant May.
Source: NDSU Extension, North Dakota State University, NDSU Extension garden fact sheets with North Dakota planting timing (Gardening with Children; From Garden to Table: Leafy Greens!; Field to Fork series; Sauerkraut: From Garden to Table; From the Garden to the Table: Salsa!; Rhubarb and Asparagus). Days to harvest: Ezina crop catalog, from state extension guides.
Ocimum basilicum
Tender
Start seed indoors April.
Ready in about 60 days from seed, 35 from transplants. Tender: in spring, from about May 15 in Fargo. If frost is in the forecast, hold off until it passes and nights stay above 36°F.
Source: NDSU Extension / NDSU Agriculture Communication (Dakota Gardener column), Dakota Gardener: Timing it Right. Days to harvest: Ezina crop catalog, from state extension guides.
Beta vulgaris
Cool seasonSuccession sow
Sow April to May; Plant May.
Ready in about 58 days; sow again every 6 weeks.
Source: NDSU Extension, North Dakota State University, NDSU Extension garden fact sheets with North Dakota planting timing (Gardening with Children; From Garden to Table: Leafy Greens!; Field to Fork series; Sauerkraut: From Garden to Table; From the Garden to the Table: Salsa!; Rhubarb and Asparagus). Days to harvest: Ezina crop catalog, from state extension guides.
Brassica rapa
Cool seasonSuccession sow
Start seed indoors April.
Ready in about 50 days from seed, 40 from transplants; sow again every 4 weeks.
Source: NDSU Extension / NDSU Agriculture Communication (Dakota Gardener column), Dakota Gardener: Timing it Right. Days to harvest: Ezina crop catalog, from state extension guides.
Brassica oleracea
Cool season
Plant April; Start seed indoors April.
Ready in about 95 days from seed, 65 from transplants.
Source: NDSU Extension / NDSU Agriculture Communication (Dakota Gardener column), Dakota Gardener: Timing it Right; NDSU Extension Service, North Dakota State University, Gardening Delights for All: Nontraditional, Money-saving, Sustainable Gardening. Days to harvest: Ezina crop catalog, from state extension guides.
Brassica oleracea
Cool season
Plant April, and again July to August; Start seed indoors April; Sow May; Set out transplants May, and again June.
Ready in about 110 days from seed, 80 from transplants.
Source: NDSU Extension / NDSU Agriculture Communication (Dakota Gardener column), Dakota Gardener: Timing it Right; NDSU Extension Service, North Dakota State University, Gardening Delights for All: Nontraditional, Money-saving, Sustainable Gardening; NDSU Extension, North Dakota State University, NDSU Extension garden fact sheets with North Dakota planting timing (Gardening with Children; From Garden to Table: Leafy Greens!; Field to Fork series; Sauerkraut: From Garden to Table; From the Garden to the Table: Salsa!; Rhubarb and Asparagus). Days to harvest: Ezina crop catalog, from state extension guides.
Daucus carota
Cool seasonSuccession sow
Plant April, and again May, and again July.
Ready in about 70 days; sow again every 7 weeks.
Source: NDSU Extension Service, North Dakota State University, Gardening Delights for All: Nontraditional, Money-saving, Sustainable Gardening; NDSU Extension, North Dakota State University, NDSU Extension garden fact sheets with North Dakota planting timing (Gardening with Children; From Garden to Table: Leafy Greens!; Field to Fork series; Sauerkraut: From Garden to Table; From the Garden to the Table: Salsa!; Rhubarb and Asparagus). Days to harvest: Ezina crop catalog, from state extension guides.
Brassica oleracea
Cool season
Start seed indoors April.
Ready in about 95 days from seed, 68 from transplants.
Source: NDSU Extension / NDSU Agriculture Communication (Dakota Gardener column), Dakota Gardener: Timing it Right. Days to harvest: Ezina crop catalog, from state extension guides.
Cucumis sativus
TenderSuccession sow
Sow May; Plant May.
Ready in about 58 days from seed, 50 from transplants; sow again every 7 weeks. Tender: in spring, from about May 15 in Fargo. If frost is in the forecast, hold off until it passes and nights stay above 36°F.
Source: NDSU Extension, North Dakota State University, NDSU Extension garden fact sheets with North Dakota planting timing (Gardening with Children; From Garden to Table: Leafy Greens!; Field to Fork series; Sauerkraut: From Garden to Table; From the Garden to the Table: Salsa!; Rhubarb and Asparagus). Days to harvest: Ezina crop catalog, from state extension guides.
Solanum melongena
Tender
Start seed indoors March; Set out transplants May.
Ready in about 75 days from transplants. Tender: in spring, from about May 15 in Fargo. If frost is in the forecast, hold off until it passes and nights stay above 36°F.
Source: NDSU Extension / NDSU Agriculture Communication (Dakota Gardener column), Dakota Gardener: Timing it Right; NDSU Extension Service, North Dakota State University, Gardening Delights for All: Nontraditional, Money-saving, Sustainable Gardening. Days to harvest: Ezina crop catalog, from state extension guides.
Allium sativum
Cool seasonOverwinters
Plant September to October, and again October.
Ready in about 240 days.
Source: NDSU Extension Service, North Dakota State University, Gardening Delights for All: Nontraditional, Money-saving, Sustainable Gardening; NDSU Extension, North Dakota State University, NDSU Extension garden fact sheets with North Dakota planting timing (Gardening with Children; From Garden to Table: Leafy Greens!; Field to Fork series; Sauerkraut: From Garden to Table; From the Garden to the Table: Salsa!; Rhubarb and Asparagus). Days to harvest: Ezina crop catalog, from state extension guides.
Phaseolus vulgaris
TenderSuccession sow
Plant May, and again May to June.
Ready in about 55 days; sow again every 5 weeks. Tender: in spring, from about May 15 in Fargo. If frost is in the forecast, hold off until it passes and nights stay above 36°F.
Source: NDSU Extension, North Dakota State University, NDSU Extension garden fact sheets with North Dakota planting timing (Gardening with Children; From Garden to Table: Leafy Greens!; Field to Fork series; Sauerkraut: From Garden to Table; From the Garden to the Table: Salsa!; Rhubarb and Asparagus). Days to harvest: Ezina crop catalog, from state extension guides.
Brassica oleracea
Cool season
Sow April to May; Start seed indoors April.
Ready in about 60 days from seed, 45 from transplants.
Source: NDSU Extension / NDSU Agriculture Communication (Dakota Gardener column), Dakota Gardener: Timing it Right; NDSU Extension, North Dakota State University, NDSU Extension garden fact sheets with North Dakota planting timing (Gardening with Children; From Garden to Table: Leafy Greens!; Field to Fork series; Sauerkraut: From Garden to Table; From the Garden to the Table: Salsa!; Rhubarb and Asparagus). Days to harvest: Ezina crop catalog, from state extension guides.
Brassica oleracea
Cool season
Start seed indoors April.
Ready in about 55 days from seed, 45 from transplants.
Source: NDSU Extension / NDSU Agriculture Communication (Dakota Gardener column), Dakota Gardener: Timing it Right. Days to harvest: Ezina crop catalog, from state extension guides.
Lactuca sativa
Cool seasonSuccession sow
Sow April to May; Plant April, and again May, and again July to August.
Ready in about 65 days from seed, 50 from transplants; sow again every 6 weeks.
Source: NDSU Extension Service, North Dakota State University, Gardening Delights for All: Nontraditional, Money-saving, Sustainable Gardening; NDSU Extension, North Dakota State University, NDSU Extension garden fact sheets with North Dakota planting timing (Gardening with Children; From Garden to Table: Leafy Greens!; Field to Fork series; Sauerkraut: From Garden to Table; From the Garden to the Table: Salsa!; Rhubarb and Asparagus). Days to harvest: Ezina crop catalog, from state extension guides.
Allium cepa
Cool season
Start seed indoors February to March; Plant April.
Ready in about 110 days from seed, 95 from transplants.
Source: NDSU Extension Service, North Dakota State University, Gardening Delights for All: Nontraditional, Money-saving, Sustainable Gardening; NDSU Extension, North Dakota State University, NDSU Extension garden fact sheets with North Dakota planting timing (Gardening with Children; From Garden to Table: Leafy Greens!; Field to Fork series; Sauerkraut: From Garden to Table; From the Garden to the Table: Salsa!; Rhubarb and Asparagus). Days to harvest: Ezina crop catalog, from state extension guides.
Origanum vulgare
Perennial
Start seed indoors March.
Source: NDSU Extension / NDSU Agriculture Communication (Dakota Gardener column), Dakota Gardener: Timing it Right. Days to harvest: Ezina crop catalog, from state extension guides.
Pastinaca sativa
Cool season
Plant April, and again July.
Ready in about 120 days.
Source: NDSU Extension Service, North Dakota State University, Gardening Delights for All: Nontraditional, Money-saving, Sustainable Gardening. Days to harvest: Ezina crop catalog, from state extension guides.
Pisum sativum
Cool seasonSuccession sow
Plant April, and again July to August.
Ready in about 65 days; sow again every 5 weeks.
Source: NDSU Extension Service, North Dakota State University, Gardening Delights for All: Nontraditional, Money-saving, Sustainable Gardening. Days to harvest: Ezina crop catalog, from state extension guides.
Capsicum annuum
Tender
Start seed indoors March; Set out transplants May.
Ready in about 70 days from transplants. Tender: in spring, from about May 15 in Fargo. If frost is in the forecast, hold off until it passes and nights stay above 36°F.
Source: NDSU Extension / NDSU Agriculture Communication (Dakota Gardener column), Dakota Gardener: Timing it Right; NDSU Extension Service, North Dakota State University, Gardening Delights for All: Nontraditional, Money-saving, Sustainable Gardening. Days to harvest: Ezina crop catalog, from state extension guides.
Solanum tuberosum
Cool season
Plant April, and again May.
Ready in about 100 days.
Source: NDSU Extension Service, North Dakota State University, Gardening Delights for All: Nontraditional, Money-saving, Sustainable Gardening; NDSU Extension, North Dakota State University, NDSU Extension garden fact sheets with North Dakota planting timing (Gardening with Children; From Garden to Table: Leafy Greens!; Field to Fork series; Sauerkraut: From Garden to Table; From the Garden to the Table: Salsa!; Rhubarb and Asparagus). Days to harvest: Ezina crop catalog, from state extension guides.
Cucurbita pepo
Tender
Plant May.
Ready in about 110 days from seed, 95 from transplants. Tender: in spring, from about May 15 in Fargo. If frost is in the forecast, hold off until it passes and nights stay above 36°F.
Source: NDSU Extension, North Dakota State University, NDSU Extension garden fact sheets with North Dakota planting timing (Gardening with Children; From Garden to Table: Leafy Greens!; Field to Fork series; Sauerkraut: From Garden to Table; From the Garden to the Table: Salsa!; Rhubarb and Asparagus). Days to harvest: Ezina crop catalog, from state extension guides.
Raphanus sativus
Cool seasonSuccession sow
Plant April.
Ready in about 28 days; sow again every 3 weeks.
Source: NDSU Extension Service, North Dakota State University, Gardening Delights for All: Nontraditional, Money-saving, Sustainable Gardening. Days to harvest: Ezina crop catalog, from state extension guides.
Brassica napus
Cool season
Plant April, and again July.
Ready in about 95 days.
Source: NDSU Extension Service, North Dakota State University, Gardening Delights for All: Nontraditional, Money-saving, Sustainable Gardening. Days to harvest: Ezina crop catalog, from state extension guides.
Tragopogon porrifolius
Cool season
Plant July.
Ready in about 120 days.
Source: NDSU Extension Service, North Dakota State University, Gardening Delights for All: Nontraditional, Money-saving, Sustainable Gardening. Days to harvest: Ezina crop catalog, from state extension guides.
Spinacia oleracea
Cool seasonSuccession sow
Sow April to May; Plant May, and again July to August.
Ready in about 42 days; sow again every 5 weeks.
Source: NDSU Extension Service, North Dakota State University, Gardening Delights for All: Nontraditional, Money-saving, Sustainable Gardening; NDSU Extension, North Dakota State University, NDSU Extension garden fact sheets with North Dakota planting timing (Gardening with Children; From Garden to Table: Leafy Greens!; Field to Fork series; Sauerkraut: From Garden to Table; From the Garden to the Table: Salsa!; Rhubarb and Asparagus). Days to harvest: Ezina crop catalog, from state extension guides.
Cucurbita pepo
TenderSuccession sow
Plant May.
Ready in about 50 days from seed, 40 from transplants; sow again every 7 weeks. Tender: in spring, from about May 15 in Fargo. If frost is in the forecast, hold off until it passes and nights stay above 36°F.
Source: NDSU Extension, North Dakota State University, NDSU Extension garden fact sheets with North Dakota planting timing (Gardening with Children; From Garden to Table: Leafy Greens!; Field to Fork series; Sauerkraut: From Garden to Table; From the Garden to the Table: Salsa!; Rhubarb and Asparagus). Days to harvest: Ezina crop catalog, from state extension guides.
Beta vulgaris
Cool season
Sow April to May; Plant April, and again May, and again July to August; Start seed indoors April.
Ready in about 55 days from seed, 40 from transplants.
Source: NDSU Extension / NDSU Agriculture Communication (Dakota Gardener column), Dakota Gardener: Timing it Right; NDSU Extension Service, North Dakota State University, Gardening Delights for All: Nontraditional, Money-saving, Sustainable Gardening; NDSU Extension, North Dakota State University, NDSU Extension garden fact sheets with North Dakota planting timing (Gardening with Children; From Garden to Table: Leafy Greens!; Field to Fork series; Sauerkraut: From Garden to Table; From the Garden to the Table: Salsa!; Rhubarb and Asparagus). Days to harvest: Ezina crop catalog, from state extension guides.
Thymus vulgaris
Perennial
Start seed indoors March.
Source: NDSU Extension / NDSU Agriculture Communication (Dakota Gardener column), Dakota Gardener: Timing it Right. Days to harvest: Ezina crop catalog, from state extension guides.
Solanum lycopersicum
Tender
Start seed indoors April; Plant May; Set out transplants May.
Ready in about 75 days from transplants. Tender: in spring, from about May 15 in Fargo. If frost is in the forecast, hold off until it passes and nights stay above 36°F.
Source: NDSU Extension / NDSU Agriculture Communication (Dakota Gardener column), Dakota Gardener: Timing it Right; NDSU Extension Service, North Dakota State University, Gardening Delights for All: Nontraditional, Money-saving, Sustainable Gardening; NDSU Extension, North Dakota State University, NDSU Extension garden fact sheets with North Dakota planting timing (Gardening with Children; From Garden to Table: Leafy Greens!; Field to Fork series; Sauerkraut: From Garden to Table; From the Garden to the Table: Salsa!; Rhubarb and Asparagus). Days to harvest: Ezina crop catalog, from state extension guides.
Brassica rapa
Cool seasonSuccession sow
Plant July.
Ready in about 50 days; sow again every 5 weeks.
Source: NDSU Extension Service, North Dakota State University, Gardening Delights for All: Nontraditional, Money-saving, Sustainable Gardening. Days to harvest: Ezina crop catalog, from state extension guides.
Cucurbita moschata
Tender
Plant May to June.
Ready in about 95 days from seed, 80 from transplants. Tender: in spring, from about May 15 in Fargo. If frost is in the forecast, hold off until it passes and nights stay above 36°F.
Source: NDSU Extension, North Dakota State University, NDSU Extension garden fact sheets with North Dakota planting timing (Gardening with Children; From Garden to Table: Leafy Greens!; Field to Fork series; Sauerkraut: From Garden to Table; From the Garden to the Table: Salsa!; Rhubarb and Asparagus). Days to harvest: Ezina crop catalog, from state extension guides.
§ 040 · Questions
On average from about May 4 in Fargo to May 21 in Beulah. Frost is over 9 years in 10 by May 25 to June 20.
The extension service lists April to May. Tomatoes are frost-tender, so Ezina dates them from about May 15 in Fargo. If frost is in the forecast, wait until it passes.
The extension calendar lists garlic for October.
The latest fall windows on the calendar close in October. Filter by Fall above to see what is still open.
A zone is the coldest winter night, not a frost date. These dates come from NOAA station records and the extension service.
Yes. Run Ezina Dig on your address and your bed plans are dated from that site's own frost records, on iPhone and Android in the contiguous U.S.