Frost Dates for West Fargo, ND 58078
Last spring frost May 10 · First fall frost September 24 · 137 frost-free days · USDA Zone 4a
ZIP 58078 has about 40,600 people.
Moderate season: 137 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 27–May 23 (26 days). Fall frost risk spans September 14–October 7 (23 days).
Frost probability for 58078
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | May 23 | May 10 | April 27 |
| Fall (first frost) | September 14 | September 24 | October 7 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at FARGO HECTOR INTL AP (11.3 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 137-day season in West Fargo
In West Fargo (137 frost-free days, a moderate season), 39 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 16 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant out / sow | Days you have | Verdict | Last sow date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Apr 5 | May 24–May 31 | 95 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 95 available after May 24. | May 25 |
| Pepper | Mar 29 | May 24–May 31 | 95 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 95 available after May 24. | May 30 |
| Lettuce | Mar 15 | Apr 12–Apr 19 | 172 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 12 and again by Aug 3; both mature before Oct 1. | Aug 3 |
| Carrots | — | Apr 19–Apr 26 | 179 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 179 available after Apr 19. | Jul 23 |
| Cucumber | Apr 19 | May 24–May 31 | 109 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 109 available after May 24. | Jun 28 |
| Beans | — | May 17–May 31 | 123 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 123 available after May 17. | Jul 5 |
| Peas | — | Mar 15–May 24 | 200 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 200 available after Mar 15. | Jul 14 |
| Zucchini | Apr 26 | May 24–May 31 | 109 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 109 available after May 24. | Jul 3 |
| Onion | Feb 15 | Apr 12–Apr 26 | 172 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 172 available after Apr 12. | — |
| Spinach | — | Mar 15–May 3 | 214 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 15 and again by Aug 22; both mature before Oct 15. | Aug 22 |
| Kale | Mar 1 | Apr 12–Apr 26 | 186 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 12 and again by Aug 7; both mature before Oct 15. | Aug 7 |
| Broccoli | Mar 15 | Apr 12–Apr 26 | 172 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 172 available after Apr 12. | Jun 29 |
| Cabbage | Mar 15 | Apr 12–Apr 26 | 186 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 186 available after Apr 12. | Jul 23 |
| Radish | — | Mar 15–Jun 7 | 200 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 15 and again by Aug 23; both mature before Oct 1. | Aug 23 |
| Beets | — | Mar 15–Jun 7 | 200 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 15 and again by Jul 24; both mature before Oct 1. | Jul 24 |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 26–May 3 | 158 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 158 available after Apr 26. | — |
| Garlic | — | Sep 24 | 242 | overwinter: Plant Sep 24 to Oct 15; harvest the following summer. | Oct 15 |
| Strawberry | — | Apr 5–May 31 | 193 | perennial: A perennial: plant Apr 5; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Apr 12 | May 17–May 24 | 109 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 109 available after May 17. | Jun 6 |
| Pumpkin | Apr 26 | May 24–May 24 | 102 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 102 available after May 24. | — |
| Cauliflower | Mar 29 | May 3–May 17 | 151 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 151 available after May 3. | Jul 4 |
| Swiss Chard | Mar 15 | Apr 26–Apr 26 | 158 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 26 and again by Jul 24; both mature before Oct 1. | Jul 24 |
| Arugula | — | Mar 15–Jun 7 | 214 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 15 and again by Aug 22; both mature before Oct 15. | Aug 22 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Mar 15 | Apr 12–Apr 26 | 186 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 186 available after Apr 12. | Jun 23 |
| Butternut Squash | Apr 26 | May 24–May 31 | 102 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 102 available after May 24. | — |
| Eggplant | Mar 22 | May 24–May 31 | 95 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 95 available after May 24. | Jun 4 |
| Okra | Apr 12 | May 17–May 24 | 116 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 116 available after May 17. | Jul 3 |
| Basil | Apr 5 | May 31–May 31 | 102 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 102 available after May 31. | Jun 28 |
| Cilantro | — | Apr 12–May 3 | 172 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 12 and again by Jul 29; both mature before Oct 1. | Jul 29 |
| Parsley | Mar 1 | May 17–May 24 | 137 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 137 available after May 17. | Jul 9 |
| Celery | Mar 1 | May 17–May 31 | 137 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 137 available after May 17. | May 20 |
| Scallions | Mar 1 | Apr 12–Apr 26 | 186 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 12 and again by Aug 2; both mature before Oct 15. | Aug 2 |
| Turnip | — | Apr 12–Apr 26 | 186 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 12 and again by Aug 12; both mature before Oct 15. | Aug 12 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 29–Apr 12 | 200 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 29 and again by Aug 7; both mature before Oct 15. | Aug 7 |
| Bok Choy | Apr 12 | May 3–May 10 | 151 | two-plantings: Plant May 3 and again by Aug 3; both mature before Oct 1. | Aug 3 |
| Collards | Mar 1 | Apr 12–Apr 26 | 186 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 12 and again by Aug 2; both mature before Oct 15. | Aug 2 |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 26 | May 24–May 31 | 95 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 95 available after May 24. | — |
| Chives | Feb 15 | May 17–May 24 | 151 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 151 available after May 17. | — |
| Dill | — | Mar 15–Jun 7 | 200 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 15 and again by Jul 24; both mature before Oct 1. | Jul 24 |
| Oregano | Mar 1 | May 17–May 24 | 151 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 151 available after May 17. | — |
| Rosemary | Feb 15 | May 17–May 24 | 137 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 137 available after May 17. | — |
| Sage | Mar 15 | May 17–May 24 | 151 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 151 available after May 17. | — |
| Thyme | Mar 1 | May 17–May 24 | 151 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 151 available after May 17. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 29 | Apr 26–May 10 | 158 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 26 and again by Jul 29; both mature before Oct 1. | Jul 29 |
| Cosmos | Apr 12 | May 10–May 24 | 123 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 123 available after May 10. | Jun 28 |
| Lavender | Feb 15 | May 10–May 24 | 158 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 158 available after May 10. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 29 | May 10–May 17 | 123 | two-plantings: Plant May 10 and again by Jul 8; both mature before Sep 10. | Jul 8 |
| Melons | Apr 26 | May 24–May 31 | 95 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 95 available after May 24. | — |
| Mint | — | May 10–May 24 | 158 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 158 available after May 10. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Apr 12 | May 10–May 17 | 123 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 123 available after May 10. | Jul 3 |
| Pole Beans | — | May 17–May 31 | 116 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 116 available after May 17. | Jun 23 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Apr 26 | May 24–May 31 | 102 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 102 available after May 24. | — |
| Sunflowers | — | May 10–May 24 | 123 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 123 available after May 10. | Jun 18 |
| Tomatillos | Mar 15 | May 17–May 24 | 102 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 102 available after May 17. | May 30 |
| Watermelon | Apr 26 | May 17–May 24 | 102 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 102 available after May 17. | May 25 |
| Yellow Squash | Apr 26 | May 24–May 31 | 109 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 109 available after May 24. | Jul 3 |
| Zinnias | Apr 12 | May 10–May 24 | 123 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 123 available after May 10. | Jun 28 |
Month by month in West Fargo
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Plan your garden layout and order seeds. Research varieties suited to your frost dates. |
| February | Start indoors: Chives (Feb 15), Lavender (Feb 15), Onion (Feb 15), Rosemary (Feb 15). |
| March | Start indoors: Celery (Mar 1), Collards (Mar 1), Kale (Mar 1), Oregano (Mar 1), Parsley (Mar 1), Scallions (Mar 1), +13 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Mar 15), Beets (Mar 15), Dill (Mar 15), Peas (Mar 15), Radish (Mar 15), Spinach (Mar 15), +1 more. |
| April | Start indoors: Basil (Apr 5), Tomato (Apr 5), Bok Choy (Apr 12), Corn (Apr 12), Cosmos (Apr 12), Nasturtiums (Apr 12), +11 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (Apr 12), Turnip (Apr 12), Carrots (Apr 19), Potatoes (Apr 26). Transplant from: Broccoli (Apr 12), Brussel Sprouts (Apr 12), Cabbage (Apr 12), Collards (Apr 12), Kale (Apr 12), Lettuce (Apr 12), +4 more. Plant: Strawberry (Apr 5). |
| May | Direct sow from: Sunflowers (May 10), Beans (May 17), Pole Beans (May 17). Transplant from: Bok Choy (May 3), Cauliflower (May 3), Cosmos (May 10), Lavender (May 10), Marigolds (May 10), Mint (May 10), +25 more. Last frost around May 10. Last sowing dates: Celery (May 20), Tomato (May 25), Watermelon (May 25), Pepper (May 30), Tomatillos (May 30). |
| June | Last sowing dates: Eggplant (Jun 4), Corn (Jun 6), Sunflowers (Jun 18), Brussel Sprouts (Jun 23), Pole Beans (Jun 23), Basil (Jun 28), +4 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Nasturtiums (Jul 3), Okra (Jul 3), Yellow Squash (Jul 3), Zucchini (Jul 3), Cauliflower (Jul 4), Beans (Jul 5), +10 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Collards (Aug 2), Scallions (Aug 2), Bok Choy (Aug 3), Lettuce (Aug 3), Kale (Aug 7), Kohlrabi (Aug 7), +4 more. |
| September | Direct sow from: Garlic (Sep 24). First frost around September 24. |
| October | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Oct 15). |
| November | Clean up spent plants. Add compost to beds. Rest, review, and plan next year's garden. |
| December | Clean 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 West Fargo, ND (ZIP 58078)?
The median last spring frost date for West Fargo, ND (ZIP code 58078) is around May 10. 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 27; one in ten it runs past May 23.
What is the first fall frost date in West Fargo, ND?
The median first fall frost date for West Fargo, ND is around September 24. 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 14 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in West Fargo, ND?
The frost-free growing season in West Fargo is about 137 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 West Fargo (137 frost-free days, a moderate season), 39 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 16 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is West Fargo, ND?
West Fargo, ND is in USDA hardiness zone 4a (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 West Fargo, ND?
Start tomatoes indoors Apr 5 and plant out May 24 in West Fargo. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in West Fargo?
Two: plant Apr 12 and again by Aug 3; both mature before Oct 1.
When do I plant garlic in West Fargo?
Sep 24 to Oct 15; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
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