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Planting Calendar for Bismarck, ND

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The planting calendar below tells you when to plant in the SPRING and also plant in the FALL, based on your zip code or postal code.

Spring Planting Calendar

Our spring planting calendar starts with the very first dates that you can plant (based on the last spring frost). But if you've missed these dates, no worries! This is why we've added "last planting dates" to our spring calendar; this is meant to help new gardeners understand that if they missed the first spring planting window, they could still get crops in the ground.

In fact, many crops with short maturity times (such as radishes) can be succession planted all the way through the summer in northern areas. However, note that some cool-season crops, such as kale and lettuce, do not grow well in hot temperatures, which can cause bolting issues.  For some gardeners, especially in the South, a break to avoid summer heat is needed, but they can start once the heat has passed. 

The dates provided are based on the number of weeks before or after frost, so we can provide a unique calendar to every user in the country. Thus, several crops (especially similar crops) may appear to have the same date. Kale and lettuce, for example, or dates for starting seeds, like broccoli and cabbage. 

Fall Planting Calendar

When we say "fall," we really mean planting in summer in time for a fall harvest. Think of this as a second summer! It's easy to keep the crops going if you've already prepared the soil! 

Many crops that would be started indoors for a spring crop can just be plunked into the soil directly for a fall crop. Not only is the soil already warm but also there are less pests and it tends to be rainier so you don't need to water as often. Some fall vegetables need to be harvested by the first frost, but many are frost-tolerant and even taste better after a kiss of fall frost!

See each plant's individual Growing Guide for more specific planting, plant care, and harvesting information.

Specifically, on the charts, there are different columns labeled as follows:

  1. Start Seeds Indoors: When to sow seeds indoors to get an early start on the season.
  2. Plant Seedlings Outdoors: When to put small seedlings that you grew indoors (OR starter plants that you bought at a garden nursery) in the outdoor soil.
  3. Start Seeds Outdoors: When to plant seeds directly into the outdoor soil.
  4. Last Date to Plant: You may plant any time from the "start seeds" dates until this "last date." Don't wait any longer, or the crop won't have time to get to harvest before fall/winter frosts.

The "Moon Dates" indicate the best planting dates based on Moon phases. You can learn more about this age-old technique below.

When N/A appears in the chart, that starting method is typically not recommended, although it is likely still possible. 

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Planting Dates for Fall

On average, your first fall frost occurs on September 25 (at BISMARCK 2.4 NNW, ND climate station).
CropFrost Based on Frost Dates
Moon Based on Moon Dates
Start Seeds OutdoorsTransplantAverage Days to MaturityFrost Tolerance
ArugulaFrost Aug 7-Sep 11
Moon Aug 7-19, Sep 2-11
N/A40Frost-hardy
BeetsFrost Jul 3-31
Moon Jul 3-4, Jul 22-31
N/A50Frost-tolerant
Bok ChoyFrost Jul 17-Aug 7
Moon Jul 17-21, Aug 4-7
N/A50Frost-tolerant
BroccoliFrost Jun 26-Jul 3
Frost Jul 17-31
Moon Jul 17-21
60Frost-tolerant
Brussels SproutsFrost Jun 5-19
Moon Jun 6-19
N/A100Frost-hardy
CabbageFrost Jun 26-Jul 3
Frost Jul 17-24
Moon Jul 17-21
90Frost-tolerant
CarrotsFrost Jul 10-17
N/A70Frost-tolerant
CauliflowerFrost Jun 19-26
Moon Jun 19-21
Frost Jul 3-10
Moon Jul 5-10
75Frost-tolerant
ChivesFrost Jul 3-31
Moon Jul 5-21
N/A70Frost-tolerant
FennelFrost Jun 26-Jul 10
Moon Jul 5-10
N/A80Tender
GarlicFrost Oct 9-23
Moon Oct 18-23
N/A120Frost-hardy
Green BeansFrost Jul 10-24
Moon Jul 10-21
N/A55Tender
KaleFrost Jul 17-31
Moon Jul 17-21
N/A60Frost-hardy
KohlrabiFrost Jul 24-Aug 14
Moon Aug 4-14
N/A45Frost-tolerant
LettuceFrost Jul 17-31
Moon Jul 17-21
N/A60Frost-tolerant
Mustard GreensFrost Jul 24-Aug 14
Moon Aug 4-14
N/A45Tender
PeasFrost Jul 17-31
Moon Jul 17-21
N/A55Tender
RadishesFrost Aug 14-28
Moon Aug 20-28
N/A25Frost-tolerant
SpinachFrost Aug 7-28
Moon Aug 7-19
N/A30Frost-hardy
Swiss ChardFrost Jul 17-31
Moon Jul 17-21
N/A60Frost-tolerant
TurnipsFrost Jul 24-Aug 7
Moon Jul 24-Aug 3
N/A50Frost-tolerant

Planting Dates for Spring

On average, your last spring frost occurs on May 14 (at BISMARCK 2.4 NNW, ND climate station, elevation 1830 feet).
CropFrost Based on Frost Dates
Moon Based on Moon Dates
Start Seeds IndoorsPlant Seedlings
or Transplants
Start Seeds OutdoorsLast Date to Plant
ArugulaFrost Mar 19-Apr 2
Moon Mar 19-25
Frost Apr 23-May 7
Moon Apr 23
Frost Apr 16-23
Moon Apr 16-23
Aug 28
AsparagusN/AN/AFrost Apr 30-May 14
Moon Apr 30-May 6
May 14
BasilFrost Apr 2-16
Moon Apr 8-16
Frost May 28-Jun 11
Moon Jun 6-11
Frost May 28-Jun 11
Moon Jun 6-11
Aug 14
BeetsN/AFrost Apr 30-May 14
Moon Apr 30-May 6
Frost Apr 16-23
May 28
Bell PeppersFrost Mar 4-19
Frost May 28-Jun 4
N/AJul 3
Bok ChoyFrost Apr 2-16
Moon Apr 8-16
Frost May 28-Jun 4
Frost May 28-Jun 4
Jun 25
BroccoliFrost Mar 19-Apr 2
Moon Mar 19-25
Frost Apr 30-May 14
Moon May 7-14
Frost Apr 16-23
Moon Apr 16-23
Jul 24
Brussels SproutsFrost Apr 2-16
Moon Apr 8-16
Frost Apr 30-May 14
Moon May 7-14
Frost Apr 16-23
Moon Apr 16-23
Jun 19
CabbageFrost Mar 19-Apr 2
Moon Mar 19-25
Frost Apr 30-May 14
Moon May 7-14
Frost Apr 16-23
Moon Apr 16-23
May 21
CantaloupesFrost Apr 23-May 7
Moon Apr 23
Frost May 14-28
Moon May 14-23
Frost May 21-28
Moon May 21-23
Jun 19
CarrotsN/AN/AFrost Apr 16-30
Moon Apr 24-30
Jul 17
CauliflowerFrost Apr 2-16
Moon Apr 8-16
Frost May 7-21
Moon May 7-21
N/AJul 10
CeleryFrost Feb 19-Mar 4
Moon Feb 19-24
Frost May 21-Jun 4
Moon May 21-23
Frost May 14
Moon May 14
Jul 17
ChivesFrost Mar 19-Apr 2
Moon Mar 19-25
Frost Apr 23-30
Moon Apr 23
Frost Apr 23-30
Moon Apr 23
Jul 31
Cilantro (Coriander)N/AN/AFrost May 14-28
Moon May 14-23
Jun 4
CollardsFrost Apr 2-16
Moon Apr 8-16
Frost Apr 30-May 14
Moon May 7-14
Frost Apr 23-30
Moon Apr 23
Jul 17
CucumbersFrost Apr 23-30
Moon Apr 23
Frost May 21-Jun 4
Moon May 21-23
Frost May 28-Jun 4
Jul 17
DillN/AN/AFrost May 7-28
Moon May 7-23
Jul 31
Dry BeansN/AN/AFrost May 28-Jun 4
Jun 19
EggplantsFrost Mar 19-Apr 2
Moon Mar 19-25
Frost May 28-Jun 4
N/AJul 17
Fava BeansN/AN/AFrost Apr 16-23
Moon Apr 16-23
May 28
FennelFrost Apr 2-16
Moon Apr 8-16
Frost May 21-28
Moon May 21-23
Frost May 14-28
Moon May 14-23
Jul 10
GarlicN/AN/AN/A
Green BeansN/AN/AFrost May 21-Jun 11
Moon May 21-23, Jun 6-11
Jul 17
Honeydew MelonsFrost Apr 23-30
Moon Apr 23
Frost May 28-Jun 4
Frost May 28-Jun 4
Jun 26
Jalapeño PeppersFrost Mar 4-19
Frost May 28-Jun 4
N/A
KaleFrost Mar 19-Apr 2
Moon Mar 19-25
Frost Apr 30-May 14
Moon May 7-14
Frost Apr 16-23
Moon Apr 16-23
May 28
KohlrabiFrost Apr 2-16
Moon Apr 8-16
Frost Apr 23-30
Moon Apr 23
Frost Apr 16-23
Moon Apr 16-23
May 28
LeeksFrost Mar 4-19
Frost Apr 23-May 7
Moon Apr 23
N/AJun 12
LettuceFrost Apr 2-16
Moon Apr 8-16
Frost Apr 23-30
Moon Apr 23
Frost Apr 16-23
Moon Apr 16-23
May 28
MicrogreensN/AN/AN/A
Mustard GreensN/AN/AN/A
OkraFrost Apr 16-30
Moon Apr 16-23
Frost May 28-Jun 4
Frost May 28-Jun 11
Moon Jun 6-11
Jul 17
OnionsN/AFrost Apr 16-30
Moon Apr 24-30
N/AJun 19
OreganoFrost Mar 4-Apr 2
Moon Mar 20-25
Frost May 21-Jun 4
Moon May 21-23
N/AJul 17
ParsleyFrost Mar 4-19
Frost May 21-Jun 4
Moon May 21-23
Frost Apr 16-May 21
Moon Apr 16-23, May 7-21
Jul 10
ParsnipsN/AN/AFrost Apr 16-23
Jun 19
PeanutsN/AN/AFrost Jun 4-18
Moon Jun 4-5
PeasN/AN/AFrost Apr 16-23
Moon Apr 16-23
May 28
PotatoesN/AN/AFrost Apr 16-30
Moon Apr 24-30
Jul 17
PumpkinsFrost Apr 23-May 7
Moon Apr 23
Frost May 28-Jun 4
Frost May 28-Jun 4
Jun 12
RadishesN/AN/AFrost Apr 16-23
Jul 31
RosemaryFrost Feb 19-Mar 4
Moon Feb 19-24
Frost May 28-Jun 4
N/AJul 31
SageFrost Mar 19-Apr 2
Moon Mar 19-25
Frost May 21-Jun 4
Moon May 21-23
N/AJul 10
SalsifyN/AN/AFrost Apr 16-30
Moon Apr 24-30
Jun 19
SpinachFrost Apr 2-16
Moon Apr 8-16
Frost Apr 23-30
Moon Apr 23
Frost Apr 16-23
Moon Apr 16-23
May 28
Sweet CornN/AN/AFrost May 28-Jun 11
Moon Jun 6-11
Jul 10
Sweet PotatoesN/AN/AFrost May 28-Jun 11
Moon May 28-Jun 5
Jun 12
Swiss ChardFrost Apr 2-16
Moon Apr 8-16
Frost Apr 30-May 14
Moon May 7-14
Frost Apr 23-May 14
Moon Apr 23, May 8-14
May 28
ThymeFrost Mar 4-19
Frost May 21-28
Moon May 21-23
N/AJul 3
TomatillosFrost Apr 2-16
Moon Apr 8-16
Frost May 28-Jun 11
Moon Jun 6-11
N/AJul 10
TomatoesFrost Mar 19-Apr 2
Moon Mar 19-25
Frost May 28-Jun 4
N/AJun 26
TurnipsN/AN/AFrost Apr 16-23
Aug 28
WatermelonsFrost Apr 23-May 7
Moon Apr 23
Frost May 28-Jun 4
Frost May 21-28
Moon May 21-23
Jun 26
Winter SquashFrost Apr 23-30
Moon Apr 23
Frost May 21-Jun 4
Moon May 21-23
Frost May 28-Jun 4
Jun 5
Zucchini (Summer Squash)Frost Apr 23-30
Moon Apr 23
Frost May 21-Jun 4
Moon May 21-23
Frost May 28-Jun 4
Jul 24
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