When to plant in Moorhead, MN
USDA Zone 4aHere are the average frost dates, USDA hardiness zone, and a month-by-month planting calendar for Moorhead, Minnesota — all computed from Moorhead's nearest NOAA weather station.
In zone 4a, Moorhead winters are severe; choose cold-hardy perennials and time annuals carefully around the frost dates above.
Frost probability
MOORHEAD · 1991–2020The date the last spring and first fall frost occur, by threshold and probability. A 90% date is later in spring — and earlier in fall — than a 10% date; the 50% · 32°F row is what most gardeners plan around. These are Moorhead’s own odds, recorded at MOORHEAD.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | May 29 | May 15 | May 3 | Sep 12 | Sep 24 | Oct 5 |
| 32°F | May 20 | May 5 | Apr 23 | Sep 22 | Oct 3 | Oct 18 |
| 28°F | May 9 | Apr 28 | Apr 12 | Oct 1 | Oct 14 | Oct 29 |
Download this table as CSV ↓ — every threshold and probability, plus this city’s planting-window dates.
What to plant now
TODAY · JULY 19Full-year planting calendar
Each bar is the exact window to take a planting action in Moorhead, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 8 km · complete 32°F normalsWhen stations disagree by more than a few days, that spread is real microclimate variation — elevation, water, urban heat. Judge which station best matches your own yard.
Moorhead planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Moorhead, MN?
On average, the last spring frost in Moorhead is around May 5 (50% probability at 32°F, from 1991–2020 NOAA normals). Wait until after this date to set out tender plants like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first fall frost in Moorhead, MN?
The first fall frost in Moorhead typically arrives around October 3 (50% probability at 32°F). Harvest or protect frost-sensitive crops before then.
What hardiness zone is Moorhead in?
Moorhead is in USDA hardiness zone 4a. In zone 4a, winters are cold — pick cold-hardy varieties and protect tender crops.
How long is the growing season in Moorhead?
Moorhead has about 151 frost-free days — a moderate growing season — between the average last spring frost (May 5) and first fall frost (October 3).
When should I plant tomatoes in Moorhead?
For Moorhead, sow tomatoes indoors about March 10–March 24 and move the seedlings out around May 12, after the last spring frost.
Never miss a window in Moorhead
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Moorhead’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- Fargo · 6 km
- West Fargo · 12 km
- Detroit Lakes · 69 km
- Fergus Falls · 82 km
- Grand Forks · 120 km
- Jamestown · 148 km
- Alexandria · 152 km
- Bemidji · 157 km
Frost dates recorded at MOORHEAD, 3 km from the city center · 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals · zone from the USDA/PRISM 2023 map. How we compute this.
BlissGarden. "When to Plant in Moorhead, MN — Frost Dates & Zone 4a." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USC00215586. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/minnesota/moorhead.