Frost dates for 58072Valley City, ND
The average last spring frost in Valley City is May 13 and the average first fall frost is September 26, giving a typical growing season of about 136 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 13
- Average first fall frost
- Sep 26
- Growing season
- 136 days
Safer after May 25 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 14 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 198 days
Frost risk by date
NOAA reports frost dates as probabilities. The middle date is the average (a 50% chance). For spring, the 10% date is a safer planting date: frost after it happens in about 1 year in 10. Light frost (36°F) can damage tender plants; a hard freeze (28°F) kills most annuals.
| Temperature | Last spring: 90% / 50% / 10% chance | First fall: 10% / 50% / 90% chance | Growing season (50%) | Years with at least one |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light frost (36°F) | May 11 · May 22 · Jun 4 | Sep 6 · Sep 17 · Sep 28 | 116 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | May 2 · May 13 · May 25 | Sep 14 · Sep 26 · Oct 8 | 136 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 21 · May 4 · May 17 | Sep 24 · Oct 5 · Oct 20 | 155 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Valley City
Planting windows from the University of Maryland Extension calendar, shifted to your average frost dates. Use them as a starting point and adjust for seed packet instructions and local conditions.
| Crop | Task | Window |
|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Start seeds indoors | Apr 12 – Jun 18 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 29 – Jun 6 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 12 – May 13 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 12 – Jul 13 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 29 – May 28 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 12 – Jul 13 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 12 – Jun 16 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 29 – Jul 13 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 12 – Jul 13 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 29 – Jul 9 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 29 – Jun 6 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 12 – Jul 13 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 5 – Jun 28 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – May 28 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – Jun 12 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 1 – Mar 28 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 29 – May 28 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 25 – Apr 28 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 29 – May 28 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 27 – Jun 6 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 26 – Jul 7 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 15 – Apr 12 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – May 13 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 17 – Jun 16 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 16 – Jul 17 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – Jun 28 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 16 – Aug 2 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – May 19 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Aug 7 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – Jun 2 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 16 – Aug 17 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 29 – May 19 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 9 – Jul 17 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 13 – Jun 28 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 17 – Jul 2 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 16 – Oct 17 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 58072 is matched to the NOAA station Valley City 3 Nnw, ND, 3.5 km away, at 1,210 ft elevation (20 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Valley City 3 Nnw, ND (used) | 1,210 ft | May 13 | Sep 26 |
| Colgate, ND | 1,180 ft | May 10 | Sep 24 |
| Enderlin 2W, ND | 1,164 ft | May 3 | Oct 5 |
| Jamestown Muni Ap, ND | 1,494 ft | May 11 | Sep 28 |
Frost dates near Valley City
- Oriska, ND 58063 · last May 13, first Sep 26
- Sanborn, ND 58480 · last May 13, first Sep 26
- Rogers, ND 58479 · last May 13, first Sep 26
- Kathryn, ND 58049 · last May 13, first Sep 26
- Fingal, ND 58031 · last May 3, first Oct 5
- Tower City, ND 58071 · last May 13, first Sep 26
- Dazey, ND 58429 · last May 17, first Sep 23
- Nome, ND 58062 · last May 3, first Oct 5
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Valley City, ND?
- For ZIP code 58072, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 13, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Valley City 3 Nnw, ND weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 25.
- When is the first frost in Valley City, ND?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is September 26. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 14, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 58072?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 136 days long.
- Are these frost dates a forecast?
- No. They are 30-year averages and probabilities from NOAA weather station records. Use them to plan, then watch your local forecast before planting tender crops or leaving them uncovered.