Frost dates for 58602Dickinson, ND
The average last spring frost in Dickinson is May 20 and the average first fall frost is September 22, giving a typical growing season of about 123 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 20
- Average first fall frost
- Sep 22
- Growing season
- 123 days
Safer after Jun 1 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 8 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 205 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 19 · May 31 · Jun 17 | Aug 27 · Sep 12 · Sep 24 | 102 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | May 8 · May 20 · Jun 1 | Sep 8 · Sep 22 · Oct 3 | 123 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 27 · May 10 · May 24 | Sep 16 · Sep 29 · Oct 13 | 141 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Dickinson
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 2 |
| 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 12 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Jun 5 – Jul 20 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 19 – Jul 20 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Jun 5 – Jul 5 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Jun 5 – Jun 2 |
| 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 23 – Jun 2 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Jul 3 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 22 – Apr 19 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 19 – May 20 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 13 – Jun 12 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 12 – Jul 13 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 19 – Jul 5 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 12 – Jul 29 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – May 26 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Aug 3 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 19 – Jun 9 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 12 – Aug 13 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 6 – May 26 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 5 – Jul 13 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 20 – Jul 5 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 13 – Jun 28 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 12 – Oct 13 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 58602 is matched to the NOAA station Dickinson, ND, 1.6 km away, at 2,460 ft elevation (49 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dickinson, ND (used) | 2,460 ft | May 20 | Sep 22 |
| Theodore Roosevelt Ap, ND | 2,580 ft | May 18 | Sep 25 |
| Taylor 7 Nnw, ND | 2,220 ft | May 23 | Sep 20 |
| Dickinson Rch Hq, ND | 2,380 ft | May 18 | Sep 24 |
Frost dates near Dickinson
- Dickinson, ND 58601 · last May 18, first Sep 25
- South Heart, ND 58655 · last May 18, first Sep 25
- Gladstone, ND 58630 · last May 23, first Sep 20
- Belfield, ND 58622 · last May 9, first Sep 30
- Manning, ND 58642 · last May 18, first Sep 24
- Taylor, ND 58656 · last May 9, first Oct 1
- Lefor, ND 58641 · last May 18, first Sep 25
- Richardton, ND 58652 · last May 9, first Oct 1
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Dickinson, ND?
- For ZIP code 58602, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 20, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Dickinson, ND weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after June 1.
- When is the first frost in Dickinson, ND?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is September 22. 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 58602?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 123 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.