Frost dates for 58487Tappen, ND
The average last spring frost in Tappen is May 13 and the average first fall frost is September 30, 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 30
- Growing season
- 139 days
Safer after May 27 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 16 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 199 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 23 · Jun 4 | Sep 8 · Sep 21 · Oct 3 | 121 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | May 2 · May 13 · May 27 | Sep 16 · Sep 30 · Oct 12 | 139 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 20 · May 4 · May 18 | Sep 24 · Oct 7 · Oct 23 | 156 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Tappen
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 10 |
| 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 20 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 29 – Jul 13 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 12 – Jul 13 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 29 – Jul 13 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 29 – Jun 10 |
| 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 31 – Jun 10 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 30 – Jul 11 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 15 – Apr 12 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – May 13 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 21 – Jun 20 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 20 – Jul 21 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – Jun 28 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 20 – Aug 6 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – May 19 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 7 – Aug 11 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – Jun 2 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 20 – Aug 21 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 29 – May 19 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 13 – Jul 21 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 13 – Jun 28 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 21 – Jul 6 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 20 – Oct 21 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 58487 is matched to the NOAA station Streeter 5 Nw, ND, 17.6 km away, at 1,961 ft elevation (101 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Streeter 5 Nw, ND (used) | 1,961 ft | May 13 | Sep 30 |
| Jamestown 38 Wsw, ND | 1,920 ft | May 14 | Sep 27 |
| Steele 4N, ND | 1,853 ft | May 15 | Sep 25 |
| Napoleon, ND | 1,980 ft | May 13 | Sep 28 |
Frost dates near Tappen
- Dawson, ND 58428 · last May 15, first Sep 25
- Medina, ND 58467 · last May 13, first Sep 30
- Steele, ND 58482 · last May 15, first Sep 25
- Streeter, ND 58483 · last May 13, first Sep 30
- Pettibone, ND 58475 · last May 15, first Sep 25
- Cleveland, ND 58424 · last May 13, first Sep 30
- Robinson, ND 58478 · last May 15, first Sep 25
- Gackle, ND 58442 · last May 6, first Oct 4
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Tappen, ND?
- For ZIP code 58487, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 13, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Streeter 5 Nw, ND weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 27.
- When is the first frost in Tappen, ND?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is September 30. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 16, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 58487?
- 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.