Frost dates for 58533Elgin, ND
The average last spring frost in Elgin is May 20 and the average first fall frost is September 23, giving a typical growing season of about 124 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 20
- Average first fall frost
- Sep 23
- Growing season
- 124 days
Safer after Jun 3 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 8 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 206 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 31 · Jun 16 | Aug 30 · Sep 11 · Sep 25 | 103 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | May 7 · May 20 · Jun 3 | Sep 8 · Sep 23 · Oct 5 | 124 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 28 · May 9 · May 23 | Sep 16 · Oct 2 · Oct 15 | 144 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Elgin
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 19 – Jun 25 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Jun 5 – Jun 3 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 19 – May 20 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 19 – Jul 20 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | May 6 – Jun 4 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 19 – Jul 20 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 19 – Jun 13 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Jun 5 – Jul 20 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 19 – Jul 20 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Jun 5 – Jul 6 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Jun 5 – Jun 3 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 19 – Jul 20 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 12 – Jul 5 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 19 – Jun 4 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 19 – Jun 19 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 8 – Apr 4 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 6 – Jun 4 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Apr 1 – May 5 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 6 – Jun 4 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 24 – Jun 3 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 23 – Jul 4 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 22 – Apr 19 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 19 – May 20 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 14 – Jun 13 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 13 – Jul 14 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 19 – Jul 5 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 13 – Jul 30 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – May 26 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 30 – Aug 4 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 19 – Jun 9 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 13 – Aug 14 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 6 – May 26 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 6 – Jul 14 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 20 – Jul 5 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 14 – Jun 29 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 13 – Oct 14 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 58533 is matched to the NOAA station Pretty Rock, ND, 22.7 km away, at 2,480 ft elevation (128 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pretty Rock, ND (used) | 2,480 ft | May 20 | Sep 23 |
| Carson, ND | 2,335 ft | May 19 | Sep 25 |
| Heart Butte Dam, ND | 2,134 ft | May 14 | Sep 29 |
| Mott, ND | 2,426 ft | May 16 | Sep 25 |
Frost dates near Elgin
- New Leipzig, ND 58562 · last May 20, first Sep 23
- Carson, ND 58529 · last May 19, first Sep 25
- Raleigh, ND 58564 · last May 13, first Sep 27
- Almont, ND 58520 · last May 17, first Sep 21
- Flasher, ND 58535 · last May 13, first Sep 27
- Shields, ND 58569 · last May 13, first Sep 27
- Mott, ND 58646 · last May 16, first Sep 25
- Morristown, SD 57645 · last May 20, first Sep 23
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Elgin, ND?
- For ZIP code 58533, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 20, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Pretty Rock, ND weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after June 3.
- When is the first frost in Elgin, ND?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is September 23. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 8, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 58533?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 124 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.