Frost dates for 58260Milton, ND
The average last spring frost in Milton is May 17 and the average first fall frost is September 26, giving a typical growing season of about 132 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 17
- Average first fall frost
- Sep 26
- Growing season
- 132 days
Safer after May 30 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 13 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 197 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 15 · May 26 · Jun 7 | Sep 5 · Sep 18 · Sep 28 | 113 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | May 4 · May 17 · May 30 | Sep 13 · Sep 26 · Oct 7 | 132 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 22 · May 7 · May 21 | Sep 22 · Oct 4 · Oct 18 | 151 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Milton
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 16 – Jun 22 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Jun 2 – Jun 6 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 16 – May 17 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 16 – Jul 17 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | May 3 – Jun 1 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 16 – Jul 17 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 16 – Jun 16 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Jun 2 – Jul 17 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 16 – Jul 17 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Jun 2 – Jul 9 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Jun 2 – Jun 6 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 16 – Jul 17 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 9 – Jul 2 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 16 – Jun 1 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 16 – Jun 16 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 1 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 3 – Jun 1 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 29 – May 2 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 3 – Jun 1 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 27 – Jun 6 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 26 – Jul 7 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 19 – Apr 16 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 16 – May 17 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 17 – Jun 16 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 16 – Jul 17 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 16 – Jul 2 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 16 – Aug 2 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 9 – May 23 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Aug 7 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 16 – Jun 6 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 16 – Aug 17 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 3 – May 23 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 9 – Jul 17 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 17 – Jul 2 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 17 – Jul 2 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 16 – Oct 17 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 58260 is matched to the NOAA station Langdon Exp Farm, ND, 28.9 km away, at 1,615 ft elevation (27 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Langdon Exp Farm, ND (used) | 1,615 ft | May 17 | Sep 26 |
| Cavalier 7Nw, ND | 899 ft | May 12 | Sep 30 |
| Edmore 4Nw, ND | 1,539 ft | May 15 | Sep 22 |
| Grafton, ND | 827 ft | May 4 | Oct 7 |
Frost dates near Milton
- Osnabrock, ND 58269 · last May 17, first Sep 26
- Mountain, ND 58262 · last May 12, first Sep 30
- Edinburg, ND 58227 · last May 4, first Oct 7
- Fairdale, ND 58229 · last May 15, first Sep 22
- Adams, ND 58210 · last May 15, first Sep 22
- Crystal, ND 58222 · last May 4, first Oct 7
- Hensel, ND 58241 · last May 12, first Sep 30
- Nekoma, ND 58355 · last May 15, first Sep 22
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Milton, ND?
- For ZIP code 58260, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 17, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Langdon Exp Farm, ND weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 30.
- When is the first frost in Milton, ND?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is September 26. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 13, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 58260?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 132 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.