Frost Dates for Dickinson, ND 58601

Last spring frost May 16 · First fall frost September 19 · 126 frost-free days · USDA Zone 4b

ZIP 58601 has about 29,900 people.

Moderate season: 126 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 30–May 31 (31 days). Fall frost risk spans September 8–September 30 (22 days).

Frost probability for 58601

Frost10%50%90%
Spring (last frost)May 31May 16April 30
Fall (first frost)September 8September 19September 30

Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at NEW ENGLAND (41.2 km away); the 50% date is the median year.

Which crops fit a 126-day season in Dickinson

In Dickinson (126 frost-free days, a moderate season), 36 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 15 get two plantings, 4 need an indoor start, 1 crop is perennial.

CropStart indoorsPlant out / sowDays you haveVerdictLast sow date
TomatoApr 11May 30–Jun 684fits: 80 days to maturity, 84 available after May 30.—
PepperApr 4May 30–Jun 684fits: 75 days to maturity, 84 available after May 30.—
LettuceMar 21Apr 18–Apr 25161two-plantings: Plant Apr 18 and again by Jul 29; both mature before Sep 26.Jul 29
Carrots—Apr 25–May 2168fits: 70 days to maturity, 168 available after Apr 25.Jul 18
CucumberApr 25May 30–Jun 698fits: 60 days to maturity, 98 available after May 30.Jun 23
Beans—May 23–Jun 6112fits: 60 days to maturity, 112 available after May 23.Jun 30
Peas—Mar 21–May 30189fits: 65 days to maturity, 189 available after Mar 21.Jul 9
ZucchiniMay 2May 30–Jun 698fits: 55 days to maturity, 98 available after May 30.Jun 28
OnionFeb 21Apr 18–May 2161fits: 100 days to maturity, 161 available after Apr 18.—
Spinach—Mar 21–May 9203two-plantings: Plant Mar 21 and again by Aug 17; both mature before Oct 10.Aug 17
KaleMar 7Apr 18–May 2175two-plantings: Plant Apr 18 and again by Aug 2; both mature before Oct 10.Aug 2
BroccoliMar 21Apr 18–May 2161fits: 80 days to maturity, 161 available after Apr 18.Jun 24
CabbageMar 21Apr 18–May 2175fits: 70 days to maturity, 175 available after Apr 18.Jul 18
Radish—Mar 21–Jun 13189two-plantings: Plant Mar 21 and again by Aug 18; both mature before Sep 26.Aug 18
Beets—Mar 21–Jun 13189two-plantings: Plant Mar 21 and again by Jul 19; both mature before Sep 26.Jul 19
Potatoes—May 2–May 9147fits: 90 days to maturity, 147 available after May 2.—
Garlic—Sep 19231overwinter: Plant Sep 19 to Oct 10; harvest the following summer.Oct 10
Strawberry—Apr 11–Jun 6182perennial: A perennial: plant Apr 11; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years.—
CornApr 18May 23–May 3098fits: 75 days to maturity, 98 available after May 23.Jun 1
PumpkinMay 2May 30–May 3091head-start: Even planted out May 30, the outdoor season is about 9 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover.—
CauliflowerApr 4May 9–May 23140fits: 75 days to maturity, 140 available after May 9.Jun 29
Swiss ChardMar 21May 2–May 2147two-plantings: Plant May 2 and again by Jul 19; both mature before Sep 26.Jul 19
Arugula—Mar 21–Jun 13203two-plantings: Plant Mar 21 and again by Aug 17; both mature before Oct 10.Aug 17
Brussel SproutsMar 21Apr 18–May 2175fits: 100 days to maturity, 175 available after Apr 18.Jun 18
Butternut SquashMay 2May 30–Jun 691head-start: Even planted out May 30, the outdoor season is about 9 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover.—
EggplantMar 28May 30–Jun 684fits: 70 days to maturity, 84 available after May 30.—
OkraApr 18May 23–May 30105fits: 55 days to maturity, 105 available after May 23.Jun 28
BasilApr 11Jun 6–Jun 691fits: 60 days to maturity, 91 available after Jun 6.Jun 23
Cilantro—Apr 18–May 9161two-plantings: Plant Apr 18 and again by Jul 24; both mature before Sep 26.Jul 24
ParsleyMar 7May 23–May 30126fits: 70 days to maturity, 126 available after May 23.Jul 4
CeleryMar 7May 23–Jun 6126fits: 120 days to maturity, 126 available after May 23.—
ScallionsMar 7Apr 18–May 2175two-plantings: Plant Apr 18 and again by Jul 28; both mature before Oct 10.Jul 28
Turnip—Apr 18–May 2175two-plantings: Plant Apr 18 and again by Aug 7; both mature before Oct 10.Aug 7
Kohlrabi—Apr 4–Apr 18189two-plantings: Plant Apr 4 and again by Aug 2; both mature before Oct 10.Aug 2
Bok ChoyApr 18May 9–May 16140two-plantings: Plant May 9 and again by Jul 29; both mature before Sep 26.Jul 29
CollardsMar 7Apr 18–May 2175two-plantings: Plant Apr 18 and again by Jul 28; both mature before Oct 10.Jul 28
CantaloupeMay 2May 30–Jun 684head-start: Even planted out May 30, the outdoor season is about 1 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover.—
ChivesFeb 21May 23–May 30140fits: 90 days to maturity, 140 available after May 23.—
Dill—Mar 21–Jun 13189two-plantings: Plant Mar 21 and again by Jul 19; both mature before Sep 26.Jul 19
OreganoMar 7May 23–May 30140fits: 80 days to maturity, 140 available after May 23.—
RosemaryFeb 21May 23–May 30126fits: 80 days to maturity, 126 available after May 23.—
SageMar 21May 23–May 30140fits: 75 days to maturity, 140 available after May 23.—
ThymeMar 7May 23–May 30140fits: 90 days to maturity, 140 available after May 23.—
CalendulaApr 4May 2–May 16147two-plantings: Plant May 2 and again by Jul 24; both mature before Sep 26.Jul 24
CosmosApr 18May 16–May 30112fits: 60 days to maturity, 112 available after May 16.Jun 23
LavenderFeb 21May 16–May 30147fits: 90 days to maturity, 147 available after May 16.—
MarigoldsApr 4May 16–May 23112fits: 50 days to maturity, 112 available after May 16.Jul 3
MelonsMay 2May 30–Jun 684head-start: Even planted out May 30, the outdoor season is about 1 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover.—
Mint—May 16–May 30147fits: 90 days to maturity, 147 available after May 16.—
NasturtiumsApr 18May 16–May 23112fits: 55 days to maturity, 112 available after May 16.Jun 28
Pole Beans—May 23–Jun 6105fits: 65 days to maturity, 105 available after May 23.Jun 18
Spaghetti SquashMay 2May 30–Jun 691fits: 90 days to maturity, 91 available after May 30.—
Sunflowers—May 16–May 30112fits: 70 days to maturity, 112 available after May 16.Jun 13
TomatillosMar 21May 23–May 3091fits: 75 days to maturity, 91 available after May 23.May 25
WatermelonMay 2May 23–May 3091fits: 80 days to maturity, 91 available after May 23.—
Yellow SquashMay 2May 30–Jun 698fits: 55 days to maturity, 98 available after May 30.Jun 28
ZinniasApr 18May 16–May 30112fits: 60 days to maturity, 112 available after May 16.Jun 23

Month by month in Dickinson

MonthWhat to do
JanuaryPlan your garden layout and order seeds. Research varieties suited to your frost dates.
FebruaryStart indoors: Chives (Feb 21), Lavender (Feb 21), Onion (Feb 21), Rosemary (Feb 21).
MarchStart indoors: Celery (Mar 7), Collards (Mar 7), Kale (Mar 7), Oregano (Mar 7), Parsley (Mar 7), Scallions (Mar 7), +9 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Mar 21), Beets (Mar 21), Dill (Mar 21), Peas (Mar 21), Radish (Mar 21), Spinach (Mar 21).
AprilStart indoors: Calendula (Apr 4), Cauliflower (Apr 4), Marigolds (Apr 4), Pepper (Apr 4), Basil (Apr 11), Tomato (Apr 11), +7 more. Direct sow from: Kohlrabi (Apr 4), Cilantro (Apr 18), Turnip (Apr 18), Carrots (Apr 25). Transplant from: Broccoli (Apr 18), Brussel Sprouts (Apr 18), Cabbage (Apr 18), Collards (Apr 18), Kale (Apr 18), Lettuce (Apr 18), +2 more. Plant: Strawberry (Apr 11).
MayStart indoors: Butternut Squash (May 2), Cantaloupe (May 2), Melons (May 2), Pumpkin (May 2), Spaghetti Squash (May 2), Watermelon (May 2), +2 more. Direct sow from: Potatoes (May 2), Sunflowers (May 16), Beans (May 23), Pole Beans (May 23). Transplant from: Calendula (May 2), Swiss Chard (May 2), Bok Choy (May 9), Cauliflower (May 9), Cosmos (May 16), Lavender (May 16), +26 more. Last frost around May 16. Last sowing dates: Tomatillos (May 25).
JuneTransplant from: Basil (Jun 6). Last sowing dates: Corn (Jun 1), Sunflowers (Jun 13), Brussel Sprouts (Jun 18), Pole Beans (Jun 18), Basil (Jun 23), Cosmos (Jun 23), +9 more.
JulyLast sowing dates: Marigolds (Jul 3), Parsley (Jul 4), Peas (Jul 9), Cabbage (Jul 18), Carrots (Jul 18), Beets (Jul 19), +8 more.
AugustLast sowing dates: Kale (Aug 2), Kohlrabi (Aug 2), Turnip (Aug 7), Arugula (Aug 17), Spinach (Aug 17), Radish (Aug 18).
SeptemberDirect sow from: Garlic (Sep 19). First frost around September 19.
OctoberLast sowing dates: Garlic (Oct 10).
NovemberClean up spent plants. Add compost to beds. Rest, review, and plan next year's garden.
DecemberClean up spent plants. Add compost to beds. Rest, review, and plan next year's garden.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the last frost date for Dickinson, ND (ZIP 58601)?

The median last spring frost date for Dickinson, ND (ZIP code 58601) is around May 16. This is the 50th-percentile date — meaning half of all years see frost end before this date. Use the 10% and 90% dates to understand the full range of risk in your area. One year in ten frost ends before April 30; one in ten it runs past May 31.

What is the first fall frost date in Dickinson, ND?

The median first fall frost date for Dickinson, ND is around September 19. Plan to harvest or protect frost-sensitive crops like tomatoes and peppers at least a week before this date to avoid losses. The first frost arrives around September 8 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.

How long is the growing season in Dickinson, ND?

The frost-free growing season in Dickinson is about 126 days. This window — from your last spring frost to your first fall frost — is when warm-season vegetables thrive. Cold-hardy crops like kale, spinach, and peas can extend your season by weeks on either side. In Dickinson (126 frost-free days, a moderate season), 36 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 15 get two plantings, 4 need an indoor start, 1 crop is perennial.

What USDA hardiness zone is Dickinson, ND?

Dickinson, ND is in USDA hardiness zone 4b (2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map). Zones come from the average coldest winter temperature, so they tell you which perennials survive the winter; the frost dates on this page tell you when to plant.

When should I start tomatoes indoors in Dickinson, ND?

Start tomatoes indoors Apr 11 and plant out May 30 in Dickinson. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.

How many plantings of lettuce fit in Dickinson?

Two: plant Apr 18 and again by Jul 29; both mature before Sep 26.

When do I plant garlic in Dickinson?

Sep 19 to Oct 10; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.

Can I grow Butternut Squash in Dickinson?

Yes, with help. Even planted out May 30, the outdoor season is about 9 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover.

Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?

Bismarck (ZIP 58503) has 133 frost-free days, 7 more than Dickinson (ZIP 58601). See Bismarck ZIP 58503 frost dates

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