Frost dates for 58384Willow City, ND
The average last spring frost in Willow City is May 21 and the average first fall frost is September 20, giving a typical growing season of about 119 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 21
- Average first fall frost
- Sep 20
- Growing season
- 119 days
Safer after Jun 1 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 5 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 207 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 19 · May 31 · Jun 14 | Aug 21 · Sep 9 · Sep 21 | 98 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | May 11 · May 21 · Jun 1 | Sep 5 · Sep 20 · Oct 1 | 119 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 30 · May 13 · May 24 | Sep 15 · Sep 27 · Oct 9 | 135 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Willow 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 20 – Jun 26 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Jun 6 – May 31 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 20 – May 21 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 20 – Jul 21 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | May 7 – Jun 5 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 20 – Jul 21 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 20 – Jun 10 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Jun 6 – Jul 21 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 20 – Jul 21 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Jun 6 – Jul 3 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Jun 6 – May 31 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 20 – Jul 21 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 13 – Jul 6 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 20 – Jun 5 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 20 – Jun 20 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 9 – Apr 5 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 7 – Jun 5 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Apr 2 – May 6 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 7 – Jun 5 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 21 – May 31 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 20 – Jul 1 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 23 – Apr 20 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 20 – May 21 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 11 – Jun 10 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 10 – Jul 11 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 20 – Jul 6 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 10 – Jul 27 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 13 – May 27 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 27 – Aug 1 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 20 – Jun 10 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 10 – Aug 11 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 7 – May 27 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 3 – Jul 11 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 21 – Jul 6 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 11 – Jun 26 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 10 – Oct 11 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 58384 is matched to the NOAA station Willow City, ND, 0.4 km away, at 1,473 ft elevation (3 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Willow City, ND (used) | 1,473 ft | May 21 | Sep 20 |
| Bottineau, ND | 1,619 ft | May 15 | Sep 25 |
| Towner 2 Ne, ND | 1,480 ft | May 17 | Sep 22 |
| Upham 3 N, ND | 1,425 ft | May 15 | Sep 25 |
Frost dates near Willow City
- Bantry, ND 58713 · last May 15, first Sep 25
- Bottineau, ND 58318 · last May 15, first Sep 25
- Kramer, ND 58748 · last May 15, first Sep 25
- Towner, ND 58788 · last May 17, first Sep 22
- Upham, ND 58789 · last May 15, first Sep 25
- Rolette, ND 58366 · last May 22, first Sep 20
- Dunseith, ND 58329 · last May 19, first Sep 24
- Souris, ND 58783 · last May 14, first Sep 25
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Willow City, ND?
- For ZIP code 58384, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 21, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Willow City, ND weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after June 1.
- When is the first frost in Willow City, ND?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is September 20. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 5, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 58384?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 119 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.