Last frost date in Fargo, ND

Average last frost
May 4

In Fargo, the last spring frost comes around May 4 in an average year. Wait until May 18 if you want 90% odds of no more frost. The first fall frost usually arrives about October 2, which leaves 151 frost-free days. An early freeze before September 22 happens one year in ten.

Safe after (10% risk)
May 18
Average first frost
Oct 2
Frost-free season
151 days
Hard freeze (28°F) ends
Apr 25
Next 7 nights in Fargo

Frost likely Mon night, low 31°F

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

  1. ThuOct 2258°
  2. FriOct 2357°
  3. SatOct 2434°possible frost
  4. SunOct 2533°possible frost
  5. MonOct 2631°frost
  6. TueOct 2736°possible frost
  7. WedOct 2836°possible frost
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecLast frost May 4First frost Oct 2151 frost-free daysBlue: chance of 32°F frost. Green: average frost-free season.JFMAMJJASOND151 frost-free days
Frost risk through the year at Fargo 3S, 2.9 miles from Fargo.

Planting calendar for Fargo

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 11–May 25
PumpkinsMay 18–Jun 1
SunflowersMay 4–May 25
CucumbersMay 18–May 25
CornMay 11–May 25
Sweet potatoesMay 25–Jun 8
WatermelonMay 18–Jun 1
Green beansMay 11–Jun 1
ZucchiniMay 11–May 25
OkraMay 25–Jun 8
PeppersMay 18–Jun 1
BasilMay 11–May 25
Butternut squashMay 11–May 25
CantaloupeMay 18–Jun 1
EggplantMay 18–Jun 1
Cool-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PotatoesApr 6–Apr 20
OnionsMar 23–Apr 13
CarrotsApr 13–May 18
LettuceApr 20–May 11
BroccoliApr 6–Apr 20
BeetsApr 6–May 18
PeasMar 23–Apr 6
CabbageApr 6–Apr 20
RadishesMar 30–May 11
Brussels sproutsApr 20–May 4
SpinachMar 23–Apr 13
CilantroApr 20–May 11
KaleApr 6–Apr 20
Collard greensApr 6–Apr 20
TurnipsApr 6–Apr 20
DillMay 4–May 18
CeleryMay 11–May 18
CauliflowerApr 20–May 4
LeeksApr 20–May 4
Swiss chardApr 20–May 18
ParsleyApr 20–May 11
Fall bulbs and garlic
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Tulip bulbsSep 18–Oct 23
GarlicSep 11–Oct 16
Daffodil bulbsSep 4–Oct 16
Perennials
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
StrawberriesApr 6–Apr 20
AsparagusApr 6–Apr 20

Frost probabilities

ThresholdSpring, 90% chance laterSpring, 50%Spring, 10%Fall, 10% chance earlierFall, 50%Fall, 90%
Light frost, 32°FApr 21May 4May 18Sep 22Oct 2Oct 15
Hard freeze, 28°FApr 10Apr 25May 9Sep 29Oct 12Oct 26

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 Fargo 3S (USC00322860) sits 2.9 miles from the center of Fargo at 908 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 Fargo, ND?

The average last frost date in Fargo is May 4, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. There is a 10% chance of frost after May 18.

When is the first frost in Fargo?

The first frost in fall usually comes around October 2. One year in ten it arrives before September 22.

How long is the growing season in Fargo?

About 151 days between the average last and first frost.

When should I plant tomatoes in Fargo?

Plant tomato seedlings outside from May 11 to May 25. Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks earlier.

Nearby in North Dakota

All 8 cities in North Dakota