Frost dates for 58438Fessenden, ND
The average last spring frost in Fessenden is May 13 and the average first fall frost is September 28, giving a typical growing season of about 139 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 13
- Average first fall frost
- Sep 28
- Growing season
- 139 days
Safer after May 26 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 15 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 191 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 10 · May 22 · Jun 2 | Sep 6 · Sep 20 · Oct 1 | 121 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 30 · May 13 · May 26 | Sep 15 · Sep 28 · Oct 11 | 139 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 19 · May 2 · May 17 | Sep 24 · Oct 6 · Oct 21 | 156 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Fessenden
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 12 – Jun 18 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 29 – Jun 8 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 12 – May 13 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 12 – Jul 13 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 29 – May 28 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 12 – Jul 13 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 12 – Jun 18 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 29 – Jul 13 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 12 – Jul 13 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 29 – Jul 11 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 29 – Jun 8 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 12 – Jul 13 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 5 – Jun 28 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – May 28 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – Jun 12 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 1 – Mar 28 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 29 – May 28 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 25 – Apr 28 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 29 – May 28 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 29 – Jun 8 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Jul 9 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 15 – Apr 12 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – May 13 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 19 – Jun 18 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 18 – Jul 19 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – Jun 28 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 18 – Aug 4 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – May 19 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Aug 9 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – Jun 2 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 18 – Aug 19 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 29 – May 19 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 11 – Jul 19 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 13 – Jun 28 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 19 – Jul 4 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 18 – Oct 19 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 58438 is matched to the NOAA station Fessenden, ND, 2.5 km away, at 1,620 ft elevation (12 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fessenden, ND (used) | 1,620 ft | May 13 | Sep 28 |
| Harvey 4Ne, ND | 1,611 ft | May 12 | Sep 26 |
| Carrington 4 N, ND | 1,560 ft | May 12 | Sep 27 |
| Tuttle 12Nne, ND | 2,100 ft | May 13 | Sep 29 |
Frost dates near Fessenden
- Harvey, ND 58341 · last May 13, first Sep 28
- Cathay, ND 58422 · last May 13, first Sep 28
- Bowdon, ND 58418 · last May 13, first Sep 28
- Chaseley, ND 58423 · last May 13, first Sep 28
- Sykeston, ND 58486 · last May 12, first Sep 27
- Hurdsfield, ND 58451 · last May 8, first Oct 1
- Maddock, ND 58348 · last May 12, first Sep 29
- Martin, ND 58758 · last May 12, first Sep 26
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Fessenden, ND?
- For ZIP code 58438, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 13, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Fessenden, ND weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 26.
- When is the first frost in Fessenden, ND?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is September 28. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 15, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 58438?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 139 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.