Tioga 1E, ND Frost Dates & Growing Season

The two dates every Tioga 1E garden is planned around, plus ready-computed planting windows for the most popular crops.

Last spring frost
May 11
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Sep 26
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
138 days
frost-free stretch
USDA zone
≈ 4b
estimated from nearby reference
Risky (1 year in 10)MedianSafe (9 years in 10)
Last spring frost Apr 30 May 11 May 24
First fall frost Oct 9 Sep 26 Sep 13
Hard freeze (28°F), median last May 2 · first Oct 5

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the TIOGA 1E station. "Safe" means frost past that date happens only about one year in ten. Your exact garden can still run days either way with elevation and terrain — check your own ZIP with the frost date lookup.

Planting windows for Tioga 1E

Computed from Tioga 1E's own frost dates. Click any crop for the full zone-4 growing guide — varieties, spacing, fall plantings, and more.

CropStart seeds indoorsTransplantDirect sow
🍅 Tomatoes Mar 16 – Mar 30 May 18 – May 25
🫑 Peppers Mar 2 – Mar 16 May 25 – Jun 1
🥬 Lettuce Mar 30 – Apr 13 Apr 13 – Apr 27 Apr 13 – May 11
🫛 Peas Mar 30 – Apr 13
🥕 Carrots Apr 20 – May 11
🥦 Broccoli Mar 23 – Apr 6 Apr 20 – May 4
🥬 Kale Mar 30 – Apr 13 Apr 13 – Apr 27 Apr 13 – Apr 27
🥒 Cucumbers Apr 13 – Apr 20 May 18 – May 25 May 18 – May 25
🥒 Zucchini Apr 13 – Apr 20 May 18 – May 25 May 18 – May 25
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) May 18 – May 25
🌽 Sweet Corn May 18 – May 25
🌿 Basil Mar 30 – Apr 13 May 18 – May 25 May 25 – Jun 1
🧄 Garlic Fall: Aug 15 – Sep 12

Want this for all 50 crops, or as a printable seed-shelf schedule? Use the planting calendar and the seed starting scheduler — both can use Tioga 1E's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in Tioga 1E

At about 138 frost-free days, Tioga 1E rewards efficiency: start warm-season crops indoors, favor short-season varieties, and lean on cold-tolerant crops — peas, kale, roots — that shrug off the shoulder-season frosts on either end.

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Tioga 1E, ND?

The average last spring frost in Tioga 1E is around May 11, based on 1991–2020 climate normals. That's a median — about half of years see a later frost, so tender crops are safest going out a week or two after this date.

When is the first frost in Tioga 1E, ND?

The average first fall frost in Tioga 1E arrives around Sep 26. Crops still in the garden need to mature before then, and frost-tender plants need harvesting or protection as the date approaches.

How long is the growing season in Tioga 1E?

About 138 frost-free days on average, from May 11 to Sep 26. That favors short-season varieties and transplants for warm-season crops, with cool-season vegetables doing the heavy lifting in spring and fall.

What USDA zone is Tioga 1E in?

USDA zone 4b on the 2023 Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Note that zones describe winter cold, not frost timing — these frost dates are the numbers to plan plantings around.