Frost dates for 58538Fort Yates, ND
The average last spring frost in Fort Yates is May 8 and the average first fall frost is September 30, giving a typical growing season of about 143 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 8
- Average first fall frost
- Sep 30
- Growing season
- 143 days
Safer after May 21 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 18 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 186 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 5 · May 18 · May 31 | Sep 10 · Sep 22 · Oct 3 | 127 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 27 · May 8 · May 21 | Sep 18 · Sep 30 · Oct 11 | 143 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 15 · Apr 30 · May 12 | Sep 25 · Oct 8 · Oct 22 | 160 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Fort Yates
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 7 – Jun 13 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 24 – Jun 10 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 7 – May 8 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 7 – Jul 8 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 24 – May 23 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 7 – Jul 8 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 7 – Jun 20 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 24 – Jul 8 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 7 – Jul 8 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 24 – Jul 13 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 24 – Jun 10 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 7 – Jul 8 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 31 – Jun 23 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – May 23 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – Jun 7 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 24 – Mar 23 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 24 – May 23 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 20 – Apr 23 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 24 – May 23 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 31 – Jun 10 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 30 – Jul 11 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 10 – Apr 7 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – May 8 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 21 – Jun 20 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 20 – Jul 21 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – Jun 23 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 20 – Aug 6 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – May 14 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 7 – Aug 11 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – May 28 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 20 – Aug 21 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 24 – May 14 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 13 – Jul 21 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 8 – Jun 23 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 21 – Jul 6 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 20 – Oct 21 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 58538 is matched to the NOAA station Pollock, SD, 35 km away, at 1,639 ft elevation (18 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pollock, SD (used) | 1,639 ft | May 8 | Sep 30 |
| Mc Laughlin, SD | 2,001 ft | May 12 | Sep 28 |
| Linton, ND | 1,690 ft | May 12 | Sep 29 |
| Breien, ND | 1,720 ft | May 12 | Sep 24 |
Frost dates near Fort Yates
- Mc Laughlin, SD 57642 · last May 12, first Sep 28
- Solen, ND 58570 · last May 12, first Sep 24
- Cannon Ball, ND 58528 · last May 12, first Sep 27
- Strasburg, ND 58573 · last May 12, first Sep 29
- Linton, ND 58552 · last May 12, first Sep 29
- Pollock, SD 57648 · last May 8, first Sep 30
- Selfridge, ND 58568 · last May 9, first Sep 30
- Walker, SD 57659 · last May 9, first Sep 30
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Fort Yates, ND?
- For ZIP code 58538, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 8, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Pollock, SD weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 21.
- When is the first frost in Fort Yates, ND?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is September 30. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 18, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 58538?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 143 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.