Last frost date in Dickinson, ND

Average last frost
May 20

Expect the last frost in Dickinson around May 20. Frost after June 1 happens in only one year out of ten. The first fall frost usually arrives about September 22, which leaves 123 frost-free days. An early freeze before September 8 happens one year in ten.

Safe after (10% risk)
Jun 1
Average first frost
Sep 22
Frost-free season
123 days
Hard freeze (28°F) ends
May 10
Next 7 nights in Dickinson

Hard freeze likely Sat night, low 26°F

National Weather Service forecast, updated Oct 22, 12:57 UTC

  1. ThuOct 2250°
  2. FriOct 2336°possible frost
  3. SatOct 2426°hard freeze
  4. SunOct 2527°hard freeze
  5. MonOct 2626°hard freeze
  6. TueOct 2730°frost
  7. WedOct 2829°frost
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecLast frost May 20First frost Sep 22123 frost-free daysBlue: chance of 32°F frost. Green: average frost-free season.JFMAMJJASOND123 frost-free days
Frost risk through the year at Dickinson, 0.8 miles from Dickinson.

Planting calendar for Dickinson

Windows count forward or back from the average frost dates above. Click a crop for dates across North Dakota.

Start indoorsPlant outSow outdoorsFall plantingAverage last and first frost
Warm-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
TomatoesMay 27–Jun 10
PumpkinsJun 3–Jun 17
SunflowersMay 20–Jun 10
CucumbersJun 3–Jun 10
CornMay 27–Jun 10
Sweet potatoesJun 10–Jun 24
WatermelonJun 3–Jun 17
Green beansMay 27–Jun 17
ZucchiniMay 27–Jun 10
OkraJun 10–Jun 24
PeppersJun 3–Jun 17
BasilMay 27–Jun 10
Butternut squashMay 27–Jun 10
CantaloupeJun 3–Jun 17
EggplantJun 3–Jun 17
Cool-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PotatoesApr 22–May 6
OnionsApr 8–Apr 29
CarrotsApr 29–Jun 3
LettuceMay 6–May 27
BroccoliApr 22–May 6
BeetsApr 22–Jun 3
PeasApr 8–Apr 22
CabbageApr 22–May 6
RadishesApr 15–May 27
Brussels sproutsMay 6–May 20
SpinachApr 8–Apr 29
CilantroMay 6–May 27
KaleApr 22–May 6
Collard greensApr 22–May 6
TurnipsApr 22–May 6
DillMay 20–Jun 3
CeleryMay 27–Jun 3
CauliflowerMay 6–May 20
LeeksMay 6–May 20
Swiss chardMay 6–Jun 3
ParsleyMay 6–May 27
Fall bulbs and garlic
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Tulip bulbsSep 8–Oct 13
GarlicSep 1–Oct 6
Daffodil bulbsAug 25–Oct 6
Perennials
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
StrawberriesApr 22–May 6
AsparagusApr 22–May 6

The frost-free season here is short for pumpkins, sweet potatoes, butternut squash. Start them indoors and look for early varieties.

Frost probabilities

ThresholdSpring, 90% chance laterSpring, 50%Spring, 10%Fall, 10% chance earlierFall, 50%Fall, 90%
Light frost, 32°FMay 8May 20Jun 1Sep 8Sep 22Oct 3
Hard freeze, 28°FApr 27May 10May 24Sep 16Sep 29Oct 13

Read the spring 10% column as the date after which only one year in ten still gets frost. That is the safer date for tomatoes, peppers and basil.

Where these numbers come from

NOAA station Dickinson (USC00322188) sits 0.8 miles from the center of Dickinson at 2,460 feet. Its averages cover 1991 to 2020. Low spots, valleys and open fields can keep getting frost a week or two after the station stops; city centers and lakeshores usually get less of it.

Questions

When is the last frost in Dickinson, ND?

The average last frost date in Dickinson is May 20, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. There is a 10% chance of frost after June 1.

When is the first frost in Dickinson?

The first frost in fall usually comes around September 22. One year in ten it arrives before September 8.

How long is the growing season in Dickinson?

About 123 days between the average last and first frost.

When should I plant tomatoes in Dickinson?

Plant tomato seedlings outside from May 27 to June 10. Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks earlier.

Nearby in North Dakota

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