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Planting Calendar for Grand Forks, 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 26 (at GRAND FORKS UNIV (NWS), ND climate station).
CropFrost Based on Frost Dates
Moon Based on Moon Dates
Start Seeds OutdoorsTransplantAverage Days to MaturityFrost Tolerance
ArugulaFrost Aug 8-Sep 12
Moon Aug 8-19, Sep 2-12
N/A40Frost-hardy
BeetsFrost Jul 4-Aug 1
Moon Jul 4, Jul 22-Aug 1
N/A50Frost-tolerant
Bok ChoyFrost Jul 18-Aug 8
Moon Jul 18-21, Aug 4-8
N/A50Frost-tolerant
BroccoliFrost Jun 27-Jul 4
Frost Jul 18-Aug 1
Moon Jul 18-21
60Frost-tolerant
Brussels SproutsFrost Jun 6-20
Moon Jun 6-20
N/A100Frost-hardy
CabbageFrost Jun 27-Jul 4
Frost Jul 18-25
Moon Jul 18-21
90Frost-tolerant
CarrotsFrost Jul 11-18
N/A70Frost-tolerant
CauliflowerFrost Jun 20-27
Moon Jun 20-21
Frost Jul 4-11
Moon Jul 5-11
75Frost-tolerant
ChivesFrost Jul 4-Aug 1
Moon Jul 5-21
N/A70Frost-tolerant
FennelFrost Jun 27-Jul 11
Moon Jul 5-11
N/A80Tender
GarlicFrost Oct 10-24
Moon Oct 18-24
N/A120Frost-hardy
Green BeansFrost Jul 11-25
Moon Jul 11-21
N/A55Tender
KaleFrost Jul 18-Aug 1
Moon Jul 18-21
N/A60Frost-hardy
KohlrabiFrost Jul 25-Aug 15
Moon Aug 4-15
N/A45Frost-tolerant
LettuceFrost Jul 18-Aug 1
Moon Jul 18-21
N/A60Frost-tolerant
Mustard GreensFrost Jul 25-Aug 15
Moon Aug 4-15
N/A45Tender
PeasFrost Jul 18-Aug 1
Moon Jul 18-21
N/A55Tender
RadishesFrost Aug 15-29
Moon Aug 20-29
N/A25Frost-tolerant
SpinachFrost Aug 8-29
Moon Aug 8-19
N/A30Frost-hardy
Swiss ChardFrost Jul 18-Aug 1
Moon Jul 18-21
N/A60Frost-tolerant
TurnipsFrost Jul 25-Aug 8
Moon Jul 25-Aug 3
N/A50Frost-tolerant

Planting Dates for Spring

On average, your last spring frost occurs on May 16 (at GRAND FORKS UNIV (NWS), ND climate station, elevation 830 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 21-Apr 4
Moon Mar 21-25
Frost Apr 25-May 9
Moon May 7-9
Frost Apr 18-25
Moon Apr 18-23
Aug 29
AsparagusN/AN/AFrost May 2-16
Moon May 2-6
May 16
BasilFrost Apr 4-18
Moon Apr 8-18
Frost May 30-Jun 13
Moon Jun 6-13
Frost May 30-Jun 13
Moon Jun 6-13
Aug 15
BeetsN/AFrost May 2-16
Moon May 2-6
Frost Apr 18-25
Moon Apr 24-25
May 30
Bell PeppersFrost Mar 6-21
Frost May 30-Jun 6
Moon Jun 6
N/AJul 4
Bok ChoyFrost Apr 4-18
Moon Apr 8-18
Frost May 30-Jun 6
Moon Jun 6
Frost May 30-Jun 6
Moon Jun 6
Jun 27
BroccoliFrost Mar 21-Apr 4
Moon Mar 21-25
Frost May 2-16
Moon May 7-16
Frost Apr 18-25
Moon Apr 18-23
Jul 25
Brussels SproutsFrost Apr 4-18
Moon Apr 8-18
Frost May 2-16
Moon May 7-16
Frost Apr 18-25
Moon Apr 18-23
Jun 20
CabbageFrost Mar 21-Apr 4
Moon Mar 21-25
Frost May 2-16
Moon May 7-16
Frost Apr 18-25
Moon Apr 18-23
May 23
CantaloupesFrost Apr 25-May 9
Moon May 7-9
Frost May 16-30
Moon May 16-23
Frost May 23-30
Moon May 23
Jun 20
CarrotsN/AN/AFrost Apr 18-May 2
Moon Apr 24-May 2
Jul 18
CauliflowerFrost Apr 4-18
Moon Apr 8-18
Frost May 9-23
Moon May 9-23
N/AJul 11
CeleryFrost Feb 21-Mar 6
Moon Feb 21-24
Frost May 23-Jun 6
Moon May 23
Frost May 16
Moon May 16
Jul 18
ChivesFrost Mar 21-Apr 4
Moon Mar 21-25
Frost Apr 25-May 2
Frost Apr 25-May 2
Aug 1
Cilantro (Coriander)N/AN/AFrost May 16-30
Moon May 16-23
Jun 6
CollardsFrost Apr 4-18
Moon Apr 8-18
Frost May 2-16
Moon May 7-16
Frost Apr 25-May 2
Jul 18
CucumbersFrost Apr 25-May 2
Frost May 23-Jun 6
Moon May 23
Frost May 30-Jun 6
Moon Jun 6
Jul 18
DillN/AN/AFrost May 9-30
Moon May 9-23
Aug 1
Dry BeansN/AN/AFrost May 30-Jun 6
Moon Jun 6
Jun 20
EggplantsFrost Mar 21-Apr 4
Moon Mar 21-25
Frost May 30-Jun 6
Moon Jun 6
N/AJul 18
Fava BeansN/AN/AFrost Apr 18-25
Moon Apr 18-23
May 30
FennelFrost Apr 4-18
Moon Apr 8-18
Frost May 23-30
Moon May 23
Frost May 16-30
Moon May 16-23
Jul 11
GarlicN/AN/AN/A
Green BeansN/AN/AFrost May 23-Jun 13
Moon May 23, Jun 7-13
Jul 18
Honeydew MelonsFrost Apr 25-May 2
Frost May 30-Jun 6
Moon Jun 6
Frost May 30-Jun 6
Moon Jun 6
Jun 27
Jalapeño PeppersFrost Mar 6-21
Frost May 30-Jun 6
Moon Jun 6
N/A
KaleFrost Mar 21-Apr 4
Moon Mar 21-25
Frost May 2-16
Moon May 7-16
Frost Apr 18-25
Moon Apr 18-23
May 30
KohlrabiFrost Apr 4-18
Moon Apr 8-18
Frost Apr 25-May 2
Frost Apr 18-25
Moon Apr 18-23
May 30
LeeksFrost Mar 6-21
Frost Apr 25-May 9
Moon May 7-9
N/AJun 13
LettuceFrost Apr 4-18
Moon Apr 8-18
Frost Apr 25-May 2
Frost Apr 18-25
Moon Apr 18-23
May 30
MicrogreensN/AN/AN/A
Mustard GreensN/AN/AN/A
OkraFrost Apr 18-May 2
Moon Apr 18-23
Frost May 30-Jun 6
Moon Jun 6
Frost May 30-Jun 13
Moon Jun 6-13
Jul 18
OnionsN/AFrost Apr 18-May 2
Moon Apr 24-May 2
N/AJun 20
OreganoFrost Mar 6-Apr 4
Moon Mar 22-25
Frost May 23-Jun 6
Moon May 23
N/AJul 18
ParsleyFrost Mar 6-21
Frost May 23-Jun 6
Moon May 23
Frost Apr 18-May 23
Moon Apr 18-23, May 7-23
Jul 11
ParsnipsN/AN/AFrost Apr 18-25
Moon Apr 24-25
Jun 20
PeanutsN/AN/AFrost Jun 6-20
PeasN/AN/AFrost Apr 18-25
Moon Apr 18-23
May 30
PotatoesN/AN/AFrost Apr 18-May 2
Moon Apr 24-May 2
Jul 18
PumpkinsFrost Apr 25-May 9
Moon May 7-9
Frost May 30-Jun 6
Moon Jun 6
Frost May 30-Jun 6
Moon Jun 6
Jun 13
RadishesN/AN/AFrost Apr 18-25
Moon Apr 24-25
Aug 1
RosemaryFrost Feb 21-Mar 6
Moon Feb 21-24
Frost May 30-Jun 6
Moon Jun 6
N/AAug 1
SageFrost Mar 21-Apr 4
Moon Mar 21-25
Frost May 23-Jun 6
Moon May 23
N/AJul 11
SalsifyN/AN/AFrost Apr 18-May 2
Moon Apr 24-May 2
Jun 20
SpinachFrost Apr 4-18
Moon Apr 8-18
Frost Apr 25-May 2
Frost Apr 18-25
Moon Apr 18-23
May 30
Sweet CornN/AN/AFrost May 30-Jun 13
Moon Jun 6-13
Jul 11
Sweet PotatoesN/AN/AFrost May 30-Jun 13
Moon May 30-Jun 5
Jun 13
Swiss ChardFrost Apr 4-18
Moon Apr 8-18
Frost May 2-16
Moon May 7-16
Frost Apr 25-May 16
Moon May 7-16
May 30
ThymeFrost Mar 6-21
Frost May 23-30
Moon May 23
N/AJul 4
TomatillosFrost Apr 4-18
Moon Apr 8-18
Frost May 30-Jun 13
Moon Jun 6-13
N/AJul 11
TomatoesFrost Mar 21-Apr 4
Moon Mar 21-25
Frost May 30-Jun 6
Moon Jun 6
N/AJun 27
TurnipsN/AN/AFrost Apr 18-25
Moon Apr 24-25
Aug 29
WatermelonsFrost Apr 25-May 9
Moon May 7-9
Frost May 30-Jun 6
Moon Jun 6
Frost May 23-30
Moon May 23
Jun 27
Winter SquashFrost Apr 25-May 2
Frost May 23-Jun 6
Moon May 23
Frost May 30-Jun 6
Moon Jun 6
Jun 6
Zucchini (Summer Squash)Frost Apr 25-May 2
Frost May 23-Jun 6
Moon May 23
Frost May 30-Jun 6
Moon Jun 6
Jul 25
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