Frost Dates for Williston, ND 58801
Last spring frost May 14 · First fall frost September 22 · 131 frost-free days · USDA Zone 4a
ZIP 58801 has about 34,300 people.
Moderate season: 131 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans May 1–May 27 (26 days). Fall frost risk spans September 9–October 4 (25 days).
Frost probability for 58801
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | May 27 | May 14 | May 1 |
| Fall (first frost) | September 9 | September 22 | October 4 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at SIDNEY (63.0 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 131-day season in Williston
In Williston (131 frost-free days, a moderate season), 37 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 16 get two plantings, 2 need an indoor start, 1 crop is perennial.
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant out / sow | Days you have | Verdict | Last sow date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Apr 9 | May 28–Jun 4 | 89 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 89 available after May 28. | — |
| Pepper | Apr 2 | May 28–Jun 4 | 89 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 89 available after May 28. | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 19 | Apr 16–Apr 23 | 166 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 16 and again by Aug 1; both mature before Sep 29. | Aug 1 |
| Carrots | — | Apr 23–Apr 30 | 173 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 173 available after Apr 23. | Jul 21 |
| Cucumber | Apr 23 | May 28–Jun 4 | 103 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 103 available after May 28. | Jun 26 |
| Beans | — | May 21–Jun 4 | 117 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 117 available after May 21. | Jul 3 |
| Peas | — | Mar 19–May 28 | 194 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 194 available after Mar 19. | Jul 12 |
| Zucchini | Apr 30 | May 28–Jun 4 | 103 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 103 available after May 28. | Jul 1 |
| Onion | Feb 19 | Apr 16–Apr 30 | 166 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 166 available after Apr 16. | — |
| Spinach | — | Mar 19–May 7 | 208 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 19 and again by Aug 20; both mature before Oct 13. | Aug 20 |
| Kale | Mar 5 | Apr 16–Apr 30 | 180 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 16 and again by Aug 5; both mature before Oct 13. | Aug 5 |
| Broccoli | Mar 19 | Apr 16–Apr 30 | 166 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 166 available after Apr 16. | Jun 27 |
| Cabbage | Mar 19 | Apr 16–Apr 30 | 180 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 180 available after Apr 16. | Jul 21 |
| Radish | — | Mar 19–Jun 11 | 194 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 19 and again by Aug 21; both mature before Sep 29. | Aug 21 |
| Beets | — | Mar 19–Jun 11 | 194 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 19 and again by Jul 22; both mature before Sep 29. | Jul 22 |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 30–May 7 | 152 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 152 available after Apr 30. | — |
| Garlic | — | Sep 22 | 236 | overwinter: Plant Sep 22 to Oct 13; harvest the following summer. | Oct 13 |
| Strawberry | — | Apr 9–Jun 4 | 187 | perennial: A perennial: plant Apr 9; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Apr 16 | May 21–May 28 | 103 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 103 available after May 21. | Jun 4 |
| Pumpkin | Apr 30 | May 28–May 28 | 96 | head-start: Even planted out May 28, the outdoor season is about 4 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Cauliflower | Apr 2 | May 7–May 21 | 145 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 145 available after May 7. | Jul 2 |
| Swiss Chard | Mar 19 | Apr 30–Apr 30 | 152 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 30 and again by Jul 22; both mature before Sep 29. | Jul 22 |
| Arugula | — | Mar 19–Jun 11 | 208 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 19 and again by Aug 20; both mature before Oct 13. | Aug 20 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Mar 19 | Apr 16–Apr 30 | 180 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 180 available after Apr 16. | Jun 21 |
| Butternut Squash | Apr 30 | May 28–Jun 4 | 96 | head-start: Even planted out May 28, the outdoor season is about 4 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Eggplant | Mar 26 | May 28–Jun 4 | 89 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 89 available after May 28. | Jun 2 |
| Okra | Apr 16 | May 21–May 28 | 110 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 110 available after May 21. | Jul 1 |
| Basil | Apr 9 | Jun 4–Jun 4 | 96 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 96 available after Jun 4. | Jun 26 |
| Cilantro | — | Apr 16–May 7 | 166 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 16 and again by Jul 27; both mature before Sep 29. | Jul 27 |
| Parsley | Mar 5 | May 21–May 28 | 131 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 131 available after May 21. | Jul 7 |
| Celery | Mar 5 | May 21–Jun 4 | 131 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 131 available after May 21. | — |
| Scallions | Mar 5 | Apr 16–Apr 30 | 180 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 16 and again by Jul 31; both mature before Oct 13. | Jul 31 |
| Turnip | — | Apr 16–Apr 30 | 180 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 16 and again by Aug 10; both mature before Oct 13. | Aug 10 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Apr 2–Apr 16 | 194 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 2 and again by Aug 5; both mature before Oct 13. | Aug 5 |
| Bok Choy | Apr 16 | May 7–May 14 | 145 | two-plantings: Plant May 7 and again by Aug 1; both mature before Sep 29. | Aug 1 |
| Collards | Mar 5 | Apr 16–Apr 30 | 180 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 16 and again by Jul 31; both mature before Oct 13. | Jul 31 |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 30 | May 28–Jun 4 | 89 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 89 available after May 28. | — |
| Chives | Feb 19 | May 21–May 28 | 145 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 145 available after May 21. | — |
| Dill | — | Mar 19–Jun 11 | 194 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 19 and again by Jul 22; both mature before Sep 29. | Jul 22 |
| Oregano | Mar 5 | May 21–May 28 | 145 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 145 available after May 21. | — |
| Rosemary | Feb 19 | May 21–May 28 | 131 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 131 available after May 21. | — |
| Sage | Mar 19 | May 21–May 28 | 145 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 145 available after May 21. | — |
| Thyme | Mar 5 | May 21–May 28 | 145 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 145 available after May 21. | — |
| Calendula | Apr 2 | Apr 30–May 14 | 152 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 30 and again by Jul 27; both mature before Sep 29. | Jul 27 |
| Cosmos | Apr 16 | May 14–May 28 | 117 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 117 available after May 14. | Jun 26 |
| Lavender | Feb 19 | May 14–May 28 | 152 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 152 available after May 14. | — |
| Marigolds | Apr 2 | May 14–May 21 | 117 | two-plantings: Plant May 14 and again by Jul 6; both mature before Sep 8. | Jul 6 |
| Melons | Apr 30 | May 28–Jun 4 | 89 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 89 available after May 28. | — |
| Mint | — | May 14–May 28 | 152 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 152 available after May 14. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Apr 16 | May 14–May 21 | 117 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 117 available after May 14. | Jul 1 |
| Pole Beans | — | May 21–Jun 4 | 110 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 110 available after May 21. | Jun 21 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Apr 30 | May 28–Jun 4 | 96 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 96 available after May 28. | — |
| Sunflowers | — | May 14–May 28 | 117 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 117 available after May 14. | Jun 16 |
| Tomatillos | Mar 19 | May 21–May 28 | 96 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 96 available after May 21. | May 28 |
| Watermelon | Apr 30 | May 21–May 28 | 96 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 96 available after May 21. | May 23 |
| Yellow Squash | Apr 30 | May 28–Jun 4 | 103 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 103 available after May 28. | Jul 1 |
| Zinnias | Apr 16 | May 14–May 28 | 117 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 117 available after May 14. | Jun 26 |
Month by month in Williston
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Plan your garden layout and order seeds. Research varieties suited to your frost dates. |
| February | Start indoors: Chives (Feb 19), Lavender (Feb 19), Onion (Feb 19), Rosemary (Feb 19). |
| March | Start indoors: Celery (Mar 5), Collards (Mar 5), Kale (Mar 5), Oregano (Mar 5), Parsley (Mar 5), Scallions (Mar 5), +9 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Mar 19), Beets (Mar 19), Dill (Mar 19), Peas (Mar 19), Radish (Mar 19), Spinach (Mar 19). |
| April | Start indoors: Calendula (Apr 2), Cauliflower (Apr 2), Marigolds (Apr 2), Pepper (Apr 2), Basil (Apr 9), Tomato (Apr 9), +15 more. Direct sow from: Kohlrabi (Apr 2), Cilantro (Apr 16), Turnip (Apr 16), Carrots (Apr 23), Potatoes (Apr 30). Transplant from: Broccoli (Apr 16), Brussel Sprouts (Apr 16), Cabbage (Apr 16), Collards (Apr 16), Kale (Apr 16), Lettuce (Apr 16), +4 more. Plant: Strawberry (Apr 9). |
| May | Direct sow from: Sunflowers (May 14), Beans (May 21), Pole Beans (May 21). Transplant from: Bok Choy (May 7), Cauliflower (May 7), Cosmos (May 14), Lavender (May 14), Marigolds (May 14), Mint (May 14), +24 more. Last frost around May 14. Last sowing dates: Watermelon (May 23), Tomatillos (May 28). |
| June | Transplant from: Basil (Jun 4). Last sowing dates: Eggplant (Jun 2), Corn (Jun 4), Sunflowers (Jun 16), Brussel Sprouts (Jun 21), Pole Beans (Jun 21), Basil (Jun 26), +4 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Nasturtiums (Jul 1), Okra (Jul 1), Yellow Squash (Jul 1), Zucchini (Jul 1), Cauliflower (Jul 2), Beans (Jul 3), +12 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Bok Choy (Aug 1), Lettuce (Aug 1), Kale (Aug 5), Kohlrabi (Aug 5), Turnip (Aug 10), Arugula (Aug 20), +2 more. |
| September | Direct sow from: Garlic (Sep 22). First frost around September 22. |
| October | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Oct 13). |
| 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 Williston, ND (ZIP 58801)?
The median last spring frost date for Williston, ND (ZIP code 58801) is around May 14. 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 May 1; one in ten it runs past May 27.
What is the first fall frost date in Williston, ND?
The median first fall frost date for Williston, ND is around September 22. 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 9 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Williston, ND?
The frost-free growing season in Williston is about 131 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 Williston (131 frost-free days, a moderate season), 37 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 16 get two plantings, 2 need an indoor start, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is Williston, ND?
Williston, 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 Williston, ND?
Start tomatoes indoors Apr 9 and plant out May 28 in Williston. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Williston?
Two: plant Apr 16 and again by Aug 1; both mature before Sep 29.
When do I plant garlic in Williston?
Sep 22 to Oct 13; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I grow Butternut Squash in Williston?
Yes, with help. Even planted out May 28, the outdoor season is about 4 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover.
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