Frost dates for 58653Scranton, ND
The average last spring frost in Scranton is May 16 and the average first fall frost is September 25, giving a typical growing season of about 132 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 16
- Average first fall frost
- Sep 25
- Growing season
- 132 days
Safer after May 29 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 11 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 194 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 16 · May 27 · Jun 10 | Sep 2 · Sep 17 · Sep 29 | 111 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | May 5 · May 16 · May 29 | Sep 11 · Sep 25 · Oct 7 | 132 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 22 · May 5 · May 17 | Sep 20 · Oct 3 · Oct 16 | 150 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Scranton
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 15 – Jun 21 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Jun 1 – Jun 5 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 15 – May 16 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 15 – Jul 16 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | May 2 – May 31 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 15 – Jul 16 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 15 – Jun 15 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Jun 1 – Jul 16 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 15 – Jul 16 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Jun 1 – Jul 8 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Jun 1 – Jun 5 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 15 – Jul 16 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 8 – Jul 1 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 15 – May 31 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 15 – Jun 15 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Mar 31 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 2 – May 31 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 28 – May 1 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 2 – May 31 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 26 – Jun 5 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Jul 6 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 18 – Apr 15 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 15 – May 16 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 16 – Jun 15 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 15 – Jul 16 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 15 – Jul 1 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 15 – Aug 1 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – May 22 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Aug 6 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 15 – Jun 5 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 15 – Aug 16 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 2 – May 22 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 8 – Jul 16 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 16 – Jul 1 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 16 – Jul 1 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 15 – Oct 16 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 58653 is matched to the NOAA station Bowman, ND, 21.4 km away, at 2,983 ft elevation (158 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bowman, ND (used) | 2,983 ft | May 16 | Sep 25 |
| Ralph 1 N, SD | 2,790 ft | May 18 | Sep 23 |
| Hettinger Muni Ap, ND | 2,705 ft | May 24 | Sep 18 |
| Ludlow 3 Sse, SD | 2,990 ft | May 16 | Sep 26 |
Frost dates near Scranton
- Reeder, ND 58649 · last May 24, first Sep 18
- Bowman, ND 58623 · last May 16, first Sep 25
- Hettinger, ND 58639 · last May 24, first Sep 18
- Ralph, SD 57650 · last May 16, first Sep 26
- Ludlow, SD 57755 · last May 16, first Sep 26
- Lodgepole, SD 57640 · last May 21, first Sep 21
- Amidon, ND 58620 · last May 12, first Sep 29
- Rhame, ND 58651 · last May 16, first Sep 25
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Scranton, ND?
- For ZIP code 58653, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 16, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Bowman, ND weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 29.
- When is the first frost in Scranton, ND?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is September 25. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 11, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 58653?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 132 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.