Frost dates for 58436Ellendale, ND
The average last spring frost in Ellendale is May 4 and the average first fall frost is October 2, giving a typical growing season of about 149 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 4
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 2
- Growing season
- 149 days
Safer after May 17 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 21 (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 1 · May 14 · May 28 | Sep 14 · Sep 24 · Oct 5 | 132 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 22 · May 4 · May 17 | Sep 21 · Oct 2 · Oct 15 | 149 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 14 · Apr 27 · May 9 | Sep 28 · Oct 12 · Oct 25 | 167 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Ellendale
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 3 – Jun 9 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 20 – Jun 12 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 3 – May 4 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 3 – Jul 4 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 20 – May 19 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 3 – Jul 4 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 3 – Jun 22 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 20 – Jul 4 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 3 – Jul 4 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 20 – Jul 15 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 20 – Jun 12 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 3 – Jul 4 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 27 – Jun 19 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – May 19 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – Jun 3 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 20 – Mar 19 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 20 – May 19 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 16 – Apr 19 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 20 – May 19 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 2 – Jun 12 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Jul 13 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 6 – Apr 3 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – May 4 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 23 – Jun 22 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Jul 23 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – Jun 19 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Aug 8 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – May 10 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Aug 13 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – May 24 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Aug 23 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 20 – May 10 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 15 – Jul 23 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 4 – Jun 19 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 23 – Jul 8 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 22 – Oct 23 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 58436 is matched to the NOAA station Ellendale, ND, 1 km away, at 1,455 ft elevation (2 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ellendale, ND (used) | 1,455 ft | May 4 | Oct 2 |
| Fullerton 1 Ese, ND | 1,435 ft | May 9 | Sep 28 |
| Columbia 8 N, SD | 1,305 ft | May 7 | Sep 29 |
| Oakes, ND | 1,324 ft | May 8 | Sep 28 |
Frost dates near Ellendale
- Frederick, SD 57441 · last May 4, first Oct 2
- Fullerton, ND 58441 · last May 9, first Sep 28
- Forbes, ND 58439 · last May 4, first Oct 2
- Oakes, ND 58474 · last May 8, first Sep 28
- Hecla, SD 57446 · last May 7, first Sep 29
- Barnard, SD 57426 · last May 7, first Sep 29
- Westport, SD 57481 · last May 7, first Sep 29
- Houghton, SD 57449 · last May 7, first Sep 29
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Ellendale, ND?
- For ZIP code 58436, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 4, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Ellendale, ND weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 17.
- When is the first frost in Ellendale, ND?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 2. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 21, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 58436?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 149 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.