Frost dates for 58854Watford City, ND
The average last spring frost in Watford City is May 9 and the average first fall frost is September 27, giving a typical growing season of about 139 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 9
- Average first fall frost
- Sep 27
- Growing season
- 139 days
Safer after May 22 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 15 (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 8 · May 19 · Jun 1 | Sep 8 · Sep 20 · Oct 1 | 122 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 28 · May 9 · May 22 | Sep 15 · Sep 27 · Oct 11 | 139 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 16 · Apr 30 · May 13 | Sep 23 · Oct 7 · Oct 22 | 160 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Watford City
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 8 – Jun 14 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 25 – Jun 7 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 8 – May 9 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 8 – Jul 9 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 25 – May 24 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 8 – Jul 9 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 8 – Jun 17 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 25 – Jul 9 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 8 – Jul 9 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 25 – Jul 10 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 25 – Jun 7 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 8 – Jul 9 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 1 – Jun 24 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – May 24 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – Jun 8 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 25 – Mar 24 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 25 – May 24 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 21 – Apr 24 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 25 – May 24 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 28 – Jun 7 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 27 – Jul 8 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 11 – Apr 8 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – May 9 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 18 – Jun 17 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 17 – Jul 18 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – Jun 24 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 17 – Aug 3 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – May 15 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Aug 8 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – May 29 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 17 – Aug 18 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 25 – May 15 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 10 – Jul 18 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 9 – Jun 24 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 18 – Jul 3 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 17 – Oct 18 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 58854 is matched to the NOAA station Watford City, ND, 2.3 km away, at 2,170 ft elevation (116 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Watford City, ND (used) | 2,170 ft | May 9 | Sep 27 |
| Watford City 14S, ND | 2,027 ft | May 22 | Sep 17 |
| Keene 3S, ND | 2,470 ft | May 20 | Sep 20 |
| Grassy Butte 2Ene, ND | 2,670 ft | May 18 | Sep 23 |
Frost dates near Watford City
- Arnegard, ND 58835 · last May 9, first Sep 27
- Alexander, ND 58831 · last May 9, first Sep 27
- Keene, ND 58847 · last May 20, first Sep 20
- Grassy Butte, ND 58634 · last May 18, first Sep 23
- Mandaree, ND 58757 · last May 20, first Sep 20
- Williston, ND 58803 · last May 21, first Sep 21
- Cartwright, ND 58838 · last May 11, first Sep 27
- Trenton, ND 58853 · last May 21, first Sep 21
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Watford City, ND?
- For ZIP code 58854, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 9, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Watford City, ND weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 22.
- When is the first frost in Watford City, ND?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is September 27. 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 58854?
- 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.