Frost dates for 58712Balfour, ND
The average last spring frost in Balfour is May 12 and the average first fall frost is September 27, giving a typical growing season of about 137 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 12
- Average first fall frost
- Sep 27
- Growing season
- 137 days
Safer after May 25 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 16 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 190 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 10 · May 21 · Jun 2 | Sep 8 · Sep 19 · Sep 28 | 120 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | May 2 · May 12 · May 25 | Sep 16 · Sep 27 · Oct 8 | 137 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 21 · May 4 · May 17 | Sep 23 · Oct 4 · Oct 16 | 151 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Balfour
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 11 – Jun 17 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 28 – Jun 7 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 11 – May 12 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 11 – Jul 12 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 28 – May 27 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 11 – Jul 12 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 11 – Jun 17 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 28 – Jul 12 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 11 – Jul 12 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 28 – Jul 10 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 28 – Jun 7 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 11 – Jul 12 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 4 – Jun 27 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 11 – May 27 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 11 – Jun 11 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 28 – Mar 27 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 28 – May 27 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 24 – Apr 27 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 28 – May 27 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 28 – Jun 7 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 27 – Jul 8 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 14 – Apr 11 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 11 – May 12 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 18 – Jun 17 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 17 – Jul 18 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 11 – Jun 27 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 17 – Aug 3 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 4 – May 18 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Aug 8 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 11 – Jun 1 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 17 – Aug 18 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 28 – May 18 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 10 – Jul 18 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 12 – Jun 27 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 18 – Jul 3 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 17 – Oct 18 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 58712 is matched to the NOAA station Drake 9 Ne, ND, 18.1 km away, at 1,547 ft elevation (57 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drake 9 Ne, ND (used) | 1,547 ft | May 12 | Sep 27 |
| Butte 5Se, ND | 1,720 ft | May 16 | Sep 28 |
| Velva, ND | 1,510 ft | May 22 | Sep 22 |
| Granville, ND | 1,510 ft | May 9 | Oct 1 |
Frost dates near Balfour
- Drake, ND 58736 · last May 12, first Sep 27
- Karlsruhe, ND 58744 · last May 12, first Sep 27
- Butte, ND 58723 · last May 16, first Sep 28
- Voltaire, ND 58792 · last May 22, first Sep 22
- Anamoose, ND 58710 · last May 12, first Sep 27
- Velva, ND 58790 · last May 22, first Sep 22
- Ruso, ND 58778 · last May 14, first Sep 26
- Martin, ND 58758 · last May 12, first Sep 26
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Balfour, ND?
- For ZIP code 58712, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 12, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Drake 9 Ne, ND weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 25.
- When is the first frost in Balfour, ND?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is September 27. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 16, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 58712?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 137 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.