Frost dates for 58572Sterling, ND
The average last spring frost in Sterling is May 11 and the average first fall frost is September 29, giving a typical growing season of about 139 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 11
- Average first fall frost
- Sep 29
- Growing season
- 139 days
Safer after May 27 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 15 (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 9 · May 21 · Jun 9 | Sep 7 · Sep 20 · Oct 2 | 120 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 29 · May 11 · May 27 | Sep 15 · Sep 29 · Oct 13 | 139 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 17 · May 2 · May 15 | Sep 24 · Oct 8 · Oct 22 | 158 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Sterling
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 58572 is matched to the NOAA station Moffit 3 Se, ND, 19.5 km away, at 1,800 ft elevation (77 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Moffit 3 Se, ND (used) | 1,800 ft | May 11 | Sep 29 |
| Steele 4N, ND | 1,853 ft | May 15 | Sep 25 |
| Hazelton 4Nw, ND | 1,982 ft | May 12 | Sep 27 |
| Bismarck Wfo, ND | 1,651 ft | May 14 | Sep 30 |
Frost dates near Sterling
- Driscoll, ND 58532 · last May 15, first Sep 25
- Moffit, ND 58560 · last May 11, first Sep 29
- Menoken, ND 58558 · last May 14, first Sep 27
- Steele, ND 58482 · last May 15, first Sep 25
- Bismarck, ND 58502 · last May 14, first Sep 27
- Braddock, ND 58524 · last May 11, first Sep 29
- Wing, ND 58494 · last May 8, first Oct 1
- Kintyre, ND 58549 · last May 13, first Sep 28
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Sterling, ND?
- For ZIP code 58572, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 11, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Moffit 3 Se, ND weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 27.
- When is the first frost in Sterling, 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 58572?
- 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.