Frost Dates for Minot, ND

In Minot, ND, the average last spring frost is around May 10 and the average first fall frost around Oct 1, for a growing season of about 144 days. For frost-tender plants, wait until May 22, when the chance of frost drops to 10%.

Average last frostMay 1050% chance of frost after this date
Safe to plantMay 22only a 10% chance of frost after
Average first frostOct 150% chance of frost before this date
Growing season144 daysfrost-free in an average year

Based on NOAA 1991–2020 records from the Minot Intl. Airport, ND weather station, 1 mile away, elevation 1,665 ft. Frost can come earlier in low spots and valleys and later near cities and large lakes.

Frost probability by date

Chance of a 32°F frost after the spring date, or before the fall date.

ChanceLast spring frostFirst fall frost
10%May 22Sep 19
20%May 18Sep 23
30%May 15Sep 27
40%May 13Sep 29
50%May 10Oct 1
60%May 7Oct 3
70%May 4Oct 6
80%May 1Oct 9
90%Apr 27Oct 14

Light frost vs. hard freeze

Average (50%) dates for each temperature. Tender plants are damaged at 36°F; most hardy crops survive until 28°F.

TemperatureLast in springFirst in fall
Light frost (36°F)May 19Sep 22
Frost / freeze (32°F)May 10Oct 1
Hard freeze (28°F)Apr 30Oct 10

Planting calendar for Minot

Start indoors Plant outside Fall planting
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Tomatoes
Indoors Mar 15 – Mar 29
Transplant May 17 – May 31
Peppers
Indoors Mar 1 – Mar 15
Transplant May 24 – Jun 7
Eggplant
Indoors Mar 1 – Mar 15
Transplant May 24 – Jun 7
Basil
Indoors Mar 29 – Apr 12
Transplant May 17 – May 31
Cucumbers
Indoors Apr 12 – Apr 19
Sow or transplant May 17 – May 31
Zucchini and summer squash
Indoors Apr 12 – Apr 19
Sow or transplant May 17 – May 31
Pumpkins and winter squash
Sow May 17 – May 31
Watermelons and melons
Indoors Apr 12 – Apr 19
Sow or transplant May 24 – Jun 7
Green beans
Sow May 17 – May 31
Sweet corn
Sow May 17 – May 31
Lettuce
Indoors Mar 29 – Apr 12
Sow or transplant Apr 12 – Apr 26
Fall sowing Aug 6 – Sep 3
Spinach
Sow Mar 29 – Apr 19
Fall sowing Aug 6 – Aug 27
Peas
Sow Mar 29 – Apr 12
Fall sowing Jul 23 – Aug 6
Kale
Indoors Mar 15 – Mar 29
Sow or transplant Apr 12 – Apr 26
Fall sowing Jul 23 – Aug 20
Broccoli
Indoors Mar 15 – Mar 29
Transplant Apr 26 – May 10
Fall sowing Jul 9 – Jul 23
Cabbage
Indoors Mar 15 – Mar 29
Transplant Apr 19 – May 3
Fall sowing Jul 9 – Jul 23
Carrots
Sow Apr 19 – May 10
Fall sowing Jul 9 – Jul 23
Radishes
Sow Apr 5 – Apr 26
Fall sowing Aug 20 – Sep 10
Beets
Sow Apr 19 – May 10
Fall sowing Jul 23 – Aug 6
Onions (sets or transplants)
Indoors Feb 15 – Mar 1
Plant Apr 12 – Apr 26
Potatoes
Plant Apr 19 – May 3
Garlic
Plant Oct 1 – Oct 29

Based on the average last frost (May 10) and first frost (Oct 1). The dashed lines mark those dates. Seed packets list days to maturity; adjust for your varieties.

Nearby cities

BismarckWillistonDickinsonGrand ForksWest FargoFargoAll North Dakota towns