When to plant bitter melon in North Dakota
North Dakota spans USDA zones 4a–4b, so the right time to plant bitter melon shifts by weeks across the state. The window to transplant seedlings outdoors runs from about May 18 in Fargo to June 4 in Williston — below are local dates for 9 cities, each computed from its own frost dates.
| City | Zone | Last frost | First frost | Transplant out |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fargo | 4a | May 4 | October 2 | May 18 – May 25 |
| Bismarck | 4a | May 10 | September 30 | May 24 – May 31 |
| Grand Forks | 4a | May 10 | October 1 | May 24 – May 31 |
| Minot | 4a | May 10 | October 1 | May 24 – May 31 |
| West Fargo | 4a | May 4 | October 2 | May 18 – May 25 |
| Williston | 4a | May 21 | September 21 | June 4 – June 11 |
| Dickinson | 4b | May 20 | September 22 | June 3 – June 10 |
| Mandan | 4a | May 13 | September 27 | May 27 – June 3 |
Bitter Melon in North Dakota: FAQ
When can I plant bitter melon in North Dakota?
Across North Dakota, the time to transplant bitter melon spans roughly May 18 in Fargo to June 4 in Williston, each following that city's local frost dates.
Does the bitter melon planting date vary across North Dakota?
Yes. North Dakota publishes 9 cities with their own frost dates, so the right bitter melon planting window shifts by weeks between the warmest and coldest parts of the state — use your city's page for the exact dates.
How long does bitter melon take to grow in North Dakota?
Bitter Melon takes about 55–70 days to reach harvest once planted — check that this fits inside your city's frost-free season on its place page.
Never miss a window in your area
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to your frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.