When to plant butternut squash in North Dakota

Butternut squash
Sow outdoors in Fargo
May 11–May 25

Across North Dakota the window opens between May 11 and May 28. Find your city below; the dates follow each town's own average last frost.

Sow outdoors, Fargo
May 11–May 25
Last sowing for a harvest
May 31
Last frost, Fargo
May 4

Sow outdoors 1–3 weeks after the last frost. Leave fruit on the vine until the skin is hard and the stem starts to dry.

Butternut squash planting dates by city

Start indoorsPlant outSow outdoorsFall plantingAverage last and first frost
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
FargoMay 11–May 25
BismarckMay 17–May 31
Grand ForksMay 17–May 31
MinotMay 17–May 31
West FargoMay 11–May 25
WillistonMay 28–Jun 11
DickinsonMay 27–Jun 10
MandanMay 20–Jun 3

In Williston, Dickinson the frost-free season is shorter than butternut squash need. Start plants indoors and pick early varieties.

Questions

When should I plant butternut squash in North Dakota?

In Fargo, sow outdoors from May 11 to May 25. Across North Dakota the window opens between May 11 and May 28, depending on the local last frost.

How is this date worked out?

Sow outdoors 1–3 weeks after the last frost. Frost dates are NOAA 1991–2020 averages for the weather station nearest each city.

Is the season long enough for butternut squash everywhere in North Dakota?

Not quite. In Williston, Dickinson the frost-free season is shorter than the time butternut squash need to ripen. Start plants indoors and pick an early variety.

More for North Dakota

Butternut squash in other states

Frost dates for every city in North Dakota