Frost dates for 58421Carrington, ND
The average last spring frost in Carrington is May 12 and the average first fall frost is September 27, giving a typical growing season of about 137 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 12
- Average first fall frost
- Sep 27
- Growing season
- 137 days
Safer after May 25 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 17 (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 9 · May 21 · Jun 2 | Sep 8 · Sep 20 · Sep 30 | 121 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 30 · May 12 · May 25 | Sep 17 · Sep 27 · Oct 9 | 137 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 19 · May 4 · May 17 | Sep 24 · Oct 5 · Oct 19 | 155 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Carrington
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 11 – Jun 17 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 28 – Jun 7 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 11 – May 12 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 11 – Jul 12 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 28 – May 27 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 11 – Jul 12 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 11 – Jun 17 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 28 – Jul 12 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 11 – Jul 12 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 28 – Jul 10 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 28 – Jun 7 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 11 – Jul 12 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 4 – Jun 27 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 11 – May 27 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 11 – Jun 11 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 28 – Mar 27 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 28 – May 27 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 24 – Apr 27 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 28 – May 27 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 28 – Jun 7 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 27 – Jul 8 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 14 – Apr 11 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 11 – May 12 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 18 – Jun 17 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 17 – Jul 18 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 11 – Jun 27 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 17 – Aug 3 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 4 – May 18 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Aug 8 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 11 – Jun 1 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 17 – Aug 18 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 28 – May 18 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 10 – Jul 18 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 12 – Jun 27 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 18 – Jul 3 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 17 – Oct 18 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 58421 is matched to the NOAA station Carrington 4 N, ND, 18.1 km away, at 1,560 ft elevation (41 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carrington 4 N, ND (used) | 1,560 ft | May 12 | Sep 27 |
| Carrington, ND | 1,586 ft | May 10 | Sep 28 |
| Edmunds Arrowwood Ref, ND | 1,460 ft | May 11 | Sep 28 |
| Mc Henry 3W, ND | 1,555 ft | May 12 | Sep 28 |
Frost dates near Carrington
- Grace City, ND 58445 · last May 12, first Sep 28
- Glenfield, ND 58443 · last May 12, first Sep 28
- Kensal, ND 58455 · last May 11, first Sep 28
- Mchenry, ND 58464 · last May 12, first Sep 28
- New Rockford, ND 58356 · last May 12, first Sep 28
- Pingree, ND 58476 · last May 11, first Sep 28
- Sutton, ND 58484 · last May 12, first Sep 28
- Courtenay, ND 58426 · last May 11, first Sep 28
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Carrington, ND?
- For ZIP code 58421, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 12, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Carrington 4 N, ND weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 25.
- When is the first frost in Carrington, ND?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is September 27. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 17, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 58421?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 137 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.