Richardton Abbey, ND Frost Dates & Growing Season

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

Last spring frost
May 9
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Oct 1
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
145 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 28 May 9 May 23
First fall frost Oct 15 Oct 1 Sep 18
Hard freeze (28°F), median last Apr 30 · first Oct 10

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the RICHARDTON ABBEY 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 Richardton Abbey

Computed from Richardton Abbey'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 14 – Mar 28 May 16 – May 23
🫑 Peppers Feb 28 – Mar 14 May 23 – May 30
🥬 Lettuce Mar 28 – Apr 11 Apr 11 – Apr 25 Apr 11 – May 9
🫛 Peas Mar 28 – Apr 11
🥕 Carrots Apr 18 – May 9
🥦 Broccoli Mar 21 – Apr 4 Apr 18 – May 2
🥬 Kale Mar 28 – Apr 11 Apr 11 – Apr 25 Apr 11 – Apr 25
🥒 Cucumbers Apr 11 – Apr 18 May 16 – May 23 May 16 – May 23
🥒 Zucchini Apr 11 – Apr 18 May 16 – May 23 May 16 – May 23
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) May 16 – May 23
🌽 Sweet Corn May 16 – May 23
🌿 Basil Mar 28 – Apr 11 May 16 – May 23 May 23 – May 30
🧄 Garlic Fall: Aug 20 – Sep 17

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 Richardton Abbey's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in Richardton Abbey

At about 145 frost-free days, Richardton Abbey 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 Richardton Abbey, ND?

The average last spring frost in Richardton Abbey is around May 9, 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 Richardton Abbey, ND?

The average first fall frost in Richardton Abbey arrives around Oct 1. 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 Richardton Abbey?

About 145 frost-free days on average, from May 9 to Oct 1. 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 Richardton Abbey 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.