Frost dates for 58318Bottineau, ND
The average last spring frost in Bottineau is May 15 and the average first fall frost is September 25, giving a typical growing season of about 133 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 15
- Average first fall frost
- Sep 25
- Growing season
- 133 days
Safer after May 28 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 13 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 193 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 12 · May 25 · Jun 5 | Sep 7 · Sep 18 · Sep 29 | 116 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | May 2 · May 15 · May 28 | Sep 13 · Sep 25 · Oct 7 | 133 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 22 · May 6 · May 20 | Sep 21 · Oct 2 · Oct 16 | 150 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Bottineau
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 14 – Jun 20 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 31 – Jun 5 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 14 – May 15 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 14 – Jul 15 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | May 1 – May 30 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 14 – Jul 15 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 14 – Jun 15 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 31 – Jul 15 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 14 – Jul 15 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 31 – Jul 8 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 31 – Jun 5 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 14 – Jul 15 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 7 – Jun 30 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 14 – May 30 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 14 – Jun 14 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 3 – Mar 30 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 1 – May 30 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 27 – Apr 30 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 1 – May 30 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 26 – Jun 5 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Jul 6 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 17 – Apr 14 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 14 – May 15 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 16 – Jun 15 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 15 – Jul 16 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 14 – Jun 30 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 15 – Aug 1 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – May 21 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Aug 6 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 14 – Jun 4 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 15 – Aug 16 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 1 – May 21 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 8 – Jul 16 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 15 – Jun 30 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 16 – Jul 1 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 15 – Oct 16 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 58318 is matched to the NOAA station Bottineau, ND, 3 km away, at 1,619 ft elevation (80 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bottineau, ND (used) | 1,619 ft | May 15 | Sep 25 |
| Lake Metigoshe Sp, ND | 2,142 ft | May 17 | Sep 24 |
| Willow City, ND | 1,473 ft | May 21 | Sep 20 |
| Upham 3 N, ND | 1,425 ft | May 15 | Sep 25 |
Frost dates near Bottineau
- Souris, ND 58783 · last May 14, first Sep 25
- Kramer, ND 58748 · last May 15, first Sep 25
- Willow City, ND 58384 · last May 21, first Sep 20
- Dunseith, ND 58329 · last May 19, first Sep 24
- Bantry, ND 58713 · last May 15, first Sep 25
- Upham, ND 58789 · last May 15, first Sep 25
- Newburg, ND 58762 · last May 15, first Sep 25
- Rolette, ND 58366 · last May 22, first Sep 20
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Bottineau, ND?
- For ZIP code 58318, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 15, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Bottineau, ND weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 28.
- When is the first frost in Bottineau, ND?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is September 25. 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 58318?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 133 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.