Wishek, ND Frost Dates & Growing Season

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

Last spring frost
May 13
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Sep 27
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
137 days
frost-free stretch
USDA zone
≈ 4b
estimated from nearby reference
Risky (1 year in 10)MedianSafe (9 years in 10)
Last spring frost May 2 May 13 May 28
First fall frost Oct 10 Sep 27 Sep 15
Hard freeze (28°F), median last May 3 · first Oct 5

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the WISHEK 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 Wishek

Computed from Wishek'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 18 – Apr 1 May 20 – May 27
🫑 Peppers Mar 4 – Mar 18 May 27 – Jun 3
🥬 Lettuce Apr 1 – Apr 15 Apr 15 – Apr 29 Apr 15 – May 13
🫛 Peas Apr 1 – Apr 15
🥕 Carrots Apr 22 – May 13
🥦 Broccoli Mar 25 – Apr 8 Apr 22 – May 6
🥬 Kale Apr 1 – Apr 15 Apr 15 – Apr 29 Apr 15 – Apr 29
🥒 Cucumbers Apr 15 – Apr 22 May 20 – May 27 May 20 – May 27
🥒 Zucchini Apr 15 – Apr 22 May 20 – May 27 May 20 – May 27
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) May 20 – May 27
🌽 Sweet Corn May 20 – May 27
🌿 Basil Apr 1 – Apr 15 May 20 – May 27 May 27 – Jun 3
🧄 Garlic Fall: Aug 16 – Sep 13

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 Wishek's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in Wishek

At about 137 frost-free days, Wishek 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 Wishek, ND?

The average last spring frost in Wishek is around May 13, 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 Wishek, ND?

The average first fall frost in Wishek arrives around Sep 27. 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 Wishek?

About 137 frost-free days on average, from May 13 to Sep 27. 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 Wishek 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.