Frost dates for 58103Fargo, ND
The average last spring frost in Fargo is May 5 and the average first fall frost is October 3, giving a typical growing season of about 150 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 5
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 3
- Growing season
- 150 days
Safer after May 20 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 22 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 190 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 3 · May 15 · May 29 | Sep 12 · Sep 24 · Oct 5 | 131 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 23 · May 5 · May 20 | Sep 22 · Oct 3 · Oct 18 | 150 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 12 · Apr 28 · May 9 | Oct 1 · Oct 14 · Oct 29 | 169 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Fargo
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 4 – Jun 10 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 21 – Jun 13 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 4 – May 5 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 4 – Jul 5 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 21 – May 20 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 4 – Jul 5 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 4 – Jun 23 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 21 – Jul 5 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 4 – Jul 5 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 21 – Jul 16 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 21 – Jun 13 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 4 – Jul 5 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 28 – Jun 20 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 4 – May 20 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 4 – Jun 4 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 21 – Mar 20 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 21 – May 20 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 17 – Apr 20 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 21 – May 20 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 3 – Jun 13 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Jul 14 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 7 – Apr 4 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 4 – May 5 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 24 – Jun 23 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 23 – Jul 24 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 4 – Jun 20 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 23 – Aug 9 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – May 11 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Aug 14 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 4 – May 25 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 23 – Aug 24 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 21 – May 11 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 16 – Jul 24 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 5 – Jun 20 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 24 – Jul 9 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 23 – Oct 24 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 58103 is matched to the NOAA station Moorhead, MN, 6 km away, at 904 ft elevation (2 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Moorhead, MN (used) | 904 ft | May 5 | Oct 3 |
| Fargo 3S, ND | 908 ft | May 4 | Oct 2 |
| Fargo Hector Intl Ap, ND | 900 ft | May 10 | Sep 30 |
| Georgetown 1 E, MN | 885 ft | May 9 | Oct 1 |
Frost dates near Fargo
- Fargo, ND 58106 · last May 5, first Oct 3
- Moorhead, MN 56561 · last May 5, first Oct 3
- Dilworth, MN 56529 · last May 5, first Oct 3
- West Fargo, ND 58078 · last May 10, first Sep 30
- Harwood, ND 58042 · last May 10, first Sep 30
- Horace, ND 58047 · last May 5, first Oct 3
- Sabin, MN 56580 · last May 5, first Oct 3
- Glyndon, MN 56547 · last May 5, first Oct 3
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Fargo, ND?
- For ZIP code 58103, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 5, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Moorhead, MN weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 20.
- When is the first frost in Fargo, ND?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 3. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 22, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 58103?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 150 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.