When is the last frost in Moorhead, MN?

The average last spring frost (50% probability of 32°F) in Moorhead is around May 4, based on NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 normals at the Fargo 3s, ND station (2.9 mi away). Half of years it falls outside that date, so wait 1–2 weeks past it before setting out frost-tender plants.

When is the first fall frost in Moorhead?

The average first fall frost in Moorhead, MN is around October 2, giving roughly a 151-day frost-free growing season.

What planting zone is Moorhead, MN?

Moorhead is in USDA plant hardiness zone 4a (average annual extreme minimum temperature -30 to -25°F), from the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map.

What is the weather like in Moorhead?

In Moorhead, MN the warmest month is July (avg high 81.8°F) and the coldest is January (avg low -0.3°F). It averages about 26.1″ of precipitation a year and 52.7″ of snow.

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Moorhead, MN Planting Calendar & Frost Dates

USDA hardiness zone 4a · ZIP 56560 · elevation 276′ · NOAA & USDA data

Moorhead is in USDA hardiness zone 4a (winters can dip to -30 to -25°F), with a growing season of about 151 days between the average last spring frost (May 4) and first fall frost (October 2). The warmest month is July (avg high 81.8°F); the coldest is January (avg low -0.3°F). It averages 26.1″ of precipitation a year and 52.7″ of snow, mostly mid-winter. Start cool-season crops several weeks before the last frost; wait until after it for tomatoes, peppers and other tender crops.

Hardiness zone

min temp -30 to -25°F

Last spring frost

May 4

avg (50% prob, 32°F)

First fall frost

October 2

avg (50% prob, 32°F)

Growing season

151 days

frost-free window

Warmest month

July

avg high 81.8°F

Month-by-month typical weather in Moorhead

Average conditions from the NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals at Moorhead, MN (3.7 mi away). Temperatures °F, precipitation & snow in inches.

Month	Avg high	Avg low	Mean	Precip (in)	Snow (in)
January	17.2	-0.3	8.4	0.7	12.2
February	22.6	3.9	13.3	0.7	7.7
March	36.6	17.7	27.1	1.3	9.3
April	54.1	31.8	42.9	1.7	4
May	68.5	45.2	56.8	3.4	0
June	77.8	56.4	67.1	4.7	0
July	81.8	60.7	71.2	3.4	0
August	80.5	58.5	69.5	2.7	0
September	71.5	48.5	60	2.9	0
October	55.2	35.5	45.4	2.5	0.7
November	37.8	21.1	29.4	1.1	8
December	23.2	7.6	15.4	0.9	10.8

What to plant when in Moorhead

Crop	Season	What to do & when
Tomatoes	warm	Start seeds indoors: March 23 · Transplant out: May 11
Peppers	warm	Start seeds indoors: March 9 · Transplant out: May 18
Cucumbers	warm	Direct sow: May 11
Zucchini / squash	warm	Direct sow: May 11
Bush beans	warm	Direct sow: May 11
Sweet corn	warm	Direct sow: May 11
Basil	warm	Transplant out: May 11
Peas	cool	Sow (spring): March 30 · Sow (fall): August 7
Spinach	cool	Sow (spring): March 23 · Sow (fall): August 7
Lettuce	cool	Sow (spring): April 6 · Sow (fall): August 7
Kale	cool	Transplant (spring): April 13 · Sow (fall): July 24
Broccoli	cool	Transplant (spring): April 20
Carrots	cool	Sow (spring): April 13 · Sow (fall): July 24
Onions	cool	Transplant (spring): April 6
Potatoes	cool	Plant seed potatoes: April 20
Radishes	cool	Sow (spring): April 6 · Sow (fall): August 21

Dates are computed from Moorhead's average frost dates using standard cool-/warm-season timing. They're a starting point — a cold spring, a warm microclimate, or a fast-maturing variety can shift them by a week or two.

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Gear that helps you plant on time

Some links below are Amazon affiliate links (tag theboringthin-20). If you buy through them we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you — it keeps this almanac free. We only list generic, genuinely-useful categories.

Soil thermometer →Know when the ground is warm enough to sow — the honest signal, not the calendar.Seed-starting trays + dome →Start tomatoes & peppers indoors on the schedule below.Seedling heat mat →Warms the soil for faster, more even germination indoors.Floating row cover / frost cloth →Buys you 4–8°F to beat an early or late frost.Raised garden bed kit →Warms and drains faster in spring than in-ground soil.Garden gloves →Basic kit for transplant day.

Nearby cities in Minnesota

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Sources & method. Hardiness zone: 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (PRISM Climate Group, Oregon State University). Frost dates & growing season: NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals, nearest station with published freeze normals — Fargo 3s, ND, 2.9 mi (confidence: high). Monthly weather normals: Moorhead, MN, 3.7 mi (confidence: high). ZIP centroid from U.S. Census 2023 ZCTA data. Frost dates are the 50%-probability date — half of years frost occurs outside the stated date. Nothing here is invented; where the nearest station is far, we say so. Last updated 2026-07-22.