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Planting Calendar for Watford City, 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 22 (at WATFORD CITY, ND climate station).
CropFrost Based on Frost Dates
Moon Based on Moon Dates
Start Seeds OutdoorsTransplantAverage Days to MaturityFrost Tolerance
ArugulaFrost Aug 4-Sep 8
Moon Aug 4-19
N/A40Frost-hardy
BeetsFrost Jun 30-Jul 28
Moon Jun 30-Jul 4, Jul 22-28
N/A50Frost-tolerant
Bok ChoyFrost Jul 14-Aug 4
Moon Jul 14-21, Aug 4
N/A50Frost-tolerant
BroccoliFrost Jun 23-30
Frost Jul 14-28
Moon Jul 14-21
60Frost-tolerant
Brussels SproutsFrost Jun 2-16
Moon Jun 6-16
N/A100Frost-hardy
CabbageFrost Jun 23-30
Frost Jul 14-21
Moon Jul 14-21
90Frost-tolerant
CarrotsFrost Jul 7-14
N/A70Frost-tolerant
CauliflowerFrost Jun 16-23
Moon Jun 16-21
Frost Jun 30-Jul 7
Moon Jul 5-7
75Frost-tolerant
ChivesFrost Jun 30-Jul 28
Moon Jul 5-21
N/A70Frost-tolerant
FennelFrost Jun 23-Jul 7
Moon Jul 5-7
N/A80Tender
GarlicFrost Oct 6-20
Moon Oct 18-20
N/A120Frost-hardy
Green BeansFrost Jul 7-21
Moon Jul 7-21
N/A55Tender
KaleFrost Jul 14-28
Moon Jul 14-21
N/A60Frost-hardy
KohlrabiFrost Jul 21-Aug 11
Moon Jul 21, Aug 5-11
N/A45Frost-tolerant
LettuceFrost Jul 14-28
Moon Jul 14-21
N/A60Frost-tolerant
Mustard GreensFrost Jul 21-Aug 11
Moon Jul 21, Aug 5-11
N/A45Tender
PeasFrost Jul 14-28
Moon Jul 14-21
N/A55Tender
RadishesFrost Aug 11-25
Moon Aug 20-25
N/A25Frost-tolerant
SpinachFrost Aug 4-25
Moon Aug 4-19
N/A30Frost-hardy
Swiss ChardFrost Jul 14-28
Moon Jul 14-21
N/A60Frost-tolerant
TurnipsFrost Jul 21-Aug 4
Moon Jul 22-Aug 3
N/A50Frost-tolerant

Planting Dates for Spring

On average, your last spring frost occurs on May 14 (at WATFORD CITY, ND climate station, elevation 2168 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 25
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 11
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/AJun 30
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 21
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 16
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 16
CarrotsN/AN/AFrost Apr 16-30
Moon Apr 24-30
Jul 14
CauliflowerFrost Apr 2-16
Moon Apr 8-16
Frost May 7-21
Moon May 7-21
N/AJul 7
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 14
ChivesFrost Mar 19-Apr 2
Moon Mar 19-25
Frost Apr 23-30
Moon Apr 23
Frost Apr 23-30
Moon Apr 23
Jul 28
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 14
CucumbersFrost Apr 23-30
Moon Apr 23
Frost May 21-Jun 4
Moon May 21-23
Frost May 28-Jun 4
Jul 14
DillN/AN/AFrost May 7-28
Moon May 7-23
Jul 28
Dry BeansN/AN/AFrost May 28-Jun 4
Jun 16
EggplantsFrost Mar 19-Apr 2
Moon Mar 19-25
Frost May 28-Jun 4
N/AJul 14
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 7
GarlicN/AN/AN/A
Green BeansN/AN/AFrost May 21-Jun 11
Moon May 21-23, Jun 6-11
Jul 14
Honeydew MelonsFrost Apr 23-30
Moon Apr 23
Frost May 28-Jun 4
Frost May 28-Jun 4
Jun 23
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 9
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 14
OnionsN/AFrost Apr 16-30
Moon Apr 24-30
N/AJun 16
OreganoFrost Mar 4-Apr 2
Moon Mar 20-25
Frost May 21-Jun 4
Moon May 21-23
N/AJul 14
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 7
ParsnipsN/AN/AFrost Apr 16-23
Jun 16
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 14
PumpkinsFrost Apr 23-May 7
Moon Apr 23
Frost May 28-Jun 4
Frost May 28-Jun 4
Jun 9
RadishesN/AN/AFrost Apr 16-23
Jul 28
RosemaryFrost Feb 19-Mar 4
Moon Feb 19-24
Frost May 28-Jun 4
N/AJul 28
SageFrost Mar 19-Apr 2
Moon Mar 19-25
Frost May 21-Jun 4
Moon May 21-23
N/AJul 7
SalsifyN/AN/AFrost Apr 16-30
Moon Apr 24-30
Jun 16
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 7
Sweet PotatoesN/AN/AFrost May 28-Jun 11
Moon May 28-Jun 5
Jun 9
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/AJun 30
TomatillosFrost Apr 2-16
Moon Apr 8-16
Frost May 28-Jun 11
Moon Jun 6-11
N/AJul 7
TomatoesFrost Mar 19-Apr 2
Moon Mar 19-25
Frost May 28-Jun 4
N/AJun 23
TurnipsN/AN/AFrost Apr 16-23
Aug 25
WatermelonsFrost Apr 23-May 7
Moon Apr 23
Frost May 28-Jun 4
Frost May 21-28
Moon May 21-23
Jun 23
Winter SquashFrost Apr 23-30
Moon Apr 23
Frost May 21-Jun 4
Moon May 21-23
Frost May 28-Jun 4
Jun 2
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 21
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