Frost dates for 58529Carson, ND
The average last spring frost in Carson is May 19 and the average first fall frost is September 25, giving a typical growing season of about 127 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 19
- Average first fall frost
- Sep 25
- Growing season
- 127 days
Safer after Jun 1 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 11 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 197 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 17 · May 29 · Jun 9 | Aug 31 · Sep 16 · Sep 28 | 108 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | May 7 · May 19 · Jun 1 | Sep 11 · Sep 25 · Oct 8 | 127 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 29 · May 11 · May 25 | Sep 20 · Oct 2 · Oct 16 | 143 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Carson
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 18 – Jun 24 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Jun 4 – Jun 5 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 18 – May 19 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 18 – Jul 19 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | May 5 – Jun 3 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 18 – Jul 19 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 18 – Jun 15 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Jun 4 – Jul 19 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 18 – Jul 19 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Jun 4 – Jul 8 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Jun 4 – Jun 5 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 18 – Jul 19 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 11 – Jul 4 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 18 – Jun 3 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 18 – Jun 18 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 7 – Apr 3 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 5 – Jun 3 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 31 – May 4 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 5 – Jun 3 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 26 – Jun 5 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Jul 6 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 21 – Apr 18 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 18 – May 19 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 16 – Jun 15 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 15 – Jul 16 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 18 – Jul 4 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 15 – Aug 1 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 11 – May 25 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Aug 6 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 18 – Jun 8 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 15 – Aug 16 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 5 – May 25 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 8 – Jul 16 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 19 – Jul 4 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 16 – Jul 1 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 15 – Oct 16 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 58529 is matched to the NOAA station Carson, ND, 5 km away, at 2,335 ft elevation (78 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carson, ND (used) | 2,335 ft | May 19 | Sep 25 |
| Heart Butte Dam, ND | 2,134 ft | May 14 | Sep 29 |
| Flasher, ND | 1,980 ft | May 13 | Sep 27 |
| Almont, ND | 1,915 ft | May 17 | Sep 21 |
Frost dates near Carson
- Elgin, ND 58533 · last May 20, first Sep 23
- Flasher, ND 58535 · last May 13, first Sep 27
- Raleigh, ND 58564 · last May 13, first Sep 27
- Almont, ND 58520 · last May 17, first Sep 21
- New Leipzig, ND 58562 · last May 20, first Sep 23
- Shields, ND 58569 · last May 13, first Sep 27
- New Salem, ND 58563 · last May 18, first Sep 24
- Glen Ullin, ND 58631 · last May 19, first Sep 21
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Carson, ND?
- For ZIP code 58529, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 19, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Carson, ND weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after June 1.
- When is the first frost in Carson, ND?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is September 25. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 11, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 58529?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 127 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.