blissgarden.

USDA Zone 4 planting guide

152 frost-free days

USDA hardiness zone 4 runs through 74 cities in 8 states we cover, with a moderate growing season of about 152 frost-free days. It spans sub-zones 4a and 4b, which differ by about 5°F in winter lows.Frost isn’t one date across a whole zone, so these are ranges — each city page uses its own nearest NOAA station.

Last spring frost
April 22 – June 20
earliest to latest · 50% · 32°F
First fall frost
August 31 – October 19
earliest to latest · 50% · 32°F
Growing season
72 – 180 days
median 152 · frost-free

What to plant in Zone 4

131 crops fit the season

With about 152 frost-free days, these crops have time to reach maturity. Open a crop for its exact indoor-start, transplant, and direct-sow dates, or check a city below for exact local timing.

Cities in Zone 4

the 48 largest of 74
FargoND · 4a
RochesterMN · 4b
DuluthMN · 4b
BismarckND · 4a
LakevilleMN · 4b
St. CloudMN · 4b
Eau ClaireWI · 4b
Great FallsMT · 4b
Grand ForksND · 4a
MinotND · 4a
MoorheadMN · 4a
West FargoND · 4a
WausauWI · 4b
GilletteWY · 4b
AndoverMN · 4b
LaramieWY · 4a
ChaskaMN · 4b
RamseyMN · 4b
AberdeenSD · 4a
WillistonND · 4a
Prior LakeMN · 4b
Elk RiverMN · 4b
OwatonnaMN · 4b
AustinMN · 4b
DickinsonND · 4b
FaribaultMN · 4b
MandanND · 4a
BrookingsSD · 4b
WatertownSD · 4b
OtsegoMN · 4b
WillmarMN · 4b
NorthfieldMN · 4b
Forest LakeMN · 4b
St. MichaelMN · 4b
SartellMN · 4b
StillwaterMN · 4b
MarshfieldWI · 4b
Red WingMN · 4b
River FallsWI · 4b
Ham LakeMN · 4b
MenomonieWI · 4b
BuffaloMN · 4b
HugoMN · 4b
JamestownND · 4b
WestonWI · 4b
HudsonWI · 4b

Zone 4 planting FAQ

What can I grow in USDA zone 4?

With about 152 frost-free days, zone 4 has time to mature 100 of the crops we track — including acorn squash, amaranth, anise, arugula, basil. See the full list above, each linked to its planting dates.

What are the frost dates for zone 4?

Across zone 4, the last spring frost falls between April 22 and June 20, and the first fall frost between August 31 and October 19 (50% chance, 32°F). Your city page gives the exact dates for your location.

How long is the growing season in zone 4?

Zone 4 averages about 152 frost-free days, ranging from 72 to 180 days between its coolest and mildest cities.

Hardiness zones from the USDA/PRISM map · frost dates from 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals, aggregated across this zone’s cities. How we compute this.