Frost dates for 58530Center, ND
The average last spring frost in Center is May 11 and the average first fall frost is September 29, giving a typical growing season of about 140 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 11
- Average first fall frost
- Sep 29
- Growing season
- 140 days
Safer after May 26 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 15 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 196 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 8 · May 21 · Jun 3 | Sep 5 · Sep 20 · Oct 1 | 121 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 28 · May 11 · May 26 | Sep 15 · Sep 29 · Oct 13 | 140 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 14 · May 1 · May 16 | Sep 23 · Oct 7 · Oct 21 | 160 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Center
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 10 – Jun 16 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 27 – Jun 9 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 10 – May 11 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 10 – Jul 11 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 27 – May 26 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 10 – Jul 11 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 10 – Jun 19 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 27 – Jul 11 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 10 – Jul 11 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 27 – Jul 12 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 27 – Jun 9 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 10 – Jul 11 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 3 – Jun 26 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 10 – May 26 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 10 – Jun 10 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 27 – Mar 26 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 27 – May 26 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 23 – Apr 26 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 27 – May 26 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 30 – Jun 9 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Jul 10 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 13 – Apr 10 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 10 – May 11 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 20 – Jun 19 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 19 – Jul 20 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 10 – Jun 26 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 19 – Aug 5 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – May 17 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 6 – Aug 10 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 10 – May 31 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 19 – Aug 20 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 27 – May 17 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 12 – Jul 20 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 11 – Jun 26 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 20 – Jul 5 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 19 – Oct 20 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 58530 is matched to the NOAA station Center 4Se, ND, 9.9 km away, at 1,990 ft elevation (149 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Center 4Se, ND (used) | 1,990 ft | May 11 | Sep 29 |
| Washburn, ND | 1,755 ft | May 12 | Sep 30 |
| Wilton, ND | 2,188 ft | May 11 | Sep 30 |
| Underwood, ND | 2,045 ft | May 10 | Sep 29 |
Frost dates near Center
- Washburn, ND 58577 · last May 12, first Sep 30
- Stanton, ND 58571 · last May 12, first Sep 30
- Wilton, ND 58579 · last May 11, first Sep 30
- Underwood, ND 58576 · last May 10, first Sep 29
- Baldwin, ND 58521 · last May 13, first Sep 27
- Hazen, ND 58545 · last May 21, first Sep 20
- Mandan, ND 58554 · last May 13, first Sep 27
- Riverdale, ND 58565 · last May 12, first Oct 3
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Center, ND?
- For ZIP code 58530, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 11, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Center 4Se, ND weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 26.
- When is the first frost in Center, ND?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is September 29. 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 58530?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 140 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.