Data: 2023 USDA zones (PRISM/OSU) · NOAA 1991–2020 normals · updated Oct 29, 2026

Planting zone for 58036 — Gardner, ND

ZIP code 58036 (Gardner, Cass County) is in USDA zone 4a: the coldest winter night averages −30 to −25 °F. The median last spring frost is May 9 and the first fall frost October 1.

Where ZIP 58036 is

Outlined: the ZIP code area · tap the map for the zone at any spot · scroll or pinch to zoom

Not the official USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Zones come from the 2023 USDA hardiness-zone data by the PRISM Group, Oregon State University; we re-mapped and recolored them. The official map is at planthardiness.ars.usda.gov.

Zone4a−30 to −25 °F

Coldest night−34.4 to −31.7 °C

Last frostMay 9

First frostOct 1

2012 zone4a

Same zone as on the 2012 map. The zone is the one at the center of the ZIP code; hilly ZIPs can span two zones. What zone 4a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Gardner, ND…

Forecast data: National Weather Service (api.weather.gov), public domain. This is not a warning service — for official frost and freeze warnings see weather.gov.

Frost dates in Gardner, ND

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free

Last spring frostMay 9median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 23only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 1median — 10% chance by Sep 18

Growing season143 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 30 and returns around October 11.

From the NOAA station Georgetown 1 E, MN — 10 miles away, elevation 886 ft. NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, 32 °F threshold. Low spots and valleys can freeze later in spring than the station.

When to plant vegetables in 58036

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 28 – Apr 11

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 28 – Apr 18

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 28 – Mar 14

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 18 – May 2

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 11 – Apr 25

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 18 – May 2

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 11 – Apr 25

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 18 – May 2

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 14 – Mar 28

TomatoesTransplant · May 16 – May 30

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 28 – Mar 14

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 23 – Jun 6

BeansSow outdoors · May 16 – May 30

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 16 – May 30

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 16 – May 30

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 6 – Aug 20

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 17 – Oct 22

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 9) and first fall frost (Oct 1) with the rules of thumb U.S. extension services publish. Cool-season crops take a light frost; warm-season crops do best once the soil is above about 60 °F.

When spring arrived in 2026

In 2026, spring leaf-out near 58036 came on Apr 23 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Apr 21).

average
Apr 212026
Apr 23

JanFebMarAprMayJun

The Spring Index marks the day when accumulated warmth is enough for lilac and honeysuckle to leaf out — a widely used signal that the growing season has started. Source: USA National Phenology Network, www.usanpn.org — Spring Indices, first leaf, 2026 (data as of 2026-09-08) and 30-year average 1991–2020 (CC BY 4.0).

Native plants for zone 4a in North Dakota

342 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in North Dakota, and rated by the USDA to survive −30 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 4a. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

Source: USDA, NRCS. 2026. The PLANTS Database (plants.usda.gov), National Plant Data Team — state distribution, native status and the “Temperature, Minimum” characteristic. Check light, moisture and soil needs before buying; local nurseries and your state native plant society can confirm what thrives in Gardner, ND.

Soil in Gardner, ND

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 58036 is Fargo — silty clay, poorly drained.

TextureSilty clayholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up

pH7.2neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainagePoorly drainedconsider raised beds

Organic matter5%high

Hydrologic groupC/Dslow when drained; wet otherwise

Farmland classPrime farmland if drainedUSDA classification

Map unit: Fargo-Hegne silty clays, 0 to 1 percent slopes.

Soil Survey Staff, Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA. Soil Survey Geographic (SSURGO) Database, via Soil Data Access, accessed 2026-10-29. The soil at the center point of ZIP 58036; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Gardner, ND

Summer high82 °Faverage high, July

Winter low−1 °Faverage low, January

Hot days12days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights175nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,425base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 55 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day8 h 29 mindaylight on December 21

Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)

Precipitation24.7 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall41 inper year

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Georgetown 1 E, MN (10 mi away); precipitation: Georgetown 1 E, MN (10 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 4a.

580384a

Grandin, ND · 6 mi

580054a

Argusville, ND · 7 mi

565464a

Georgetown, MN · 12 mi

North Dakota planting zones →

Questions about 58036

What planting zone is ZIP code 58036?

ZIP code 58036 (Gardner, ND) is in USDA hardiness zone 4a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −30 to −25 °F (−34.4 to −31.7 °C).

When is the last frost in Gardner, ND?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 58036 is May 9; after May 23 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Georgetown 1 E station.

When is the first frost in Gardner, ND?

The median first fall frost near 58036 is October 1, giving a median frost-free growing season of 143 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 58036?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 14 – Mar 28 and set transplants outside around May 16 – May 30, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 58036 get?

About 24.7 inches of precipitation a year and 41 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Georgetown 1 E station).

How hot do summers get in Gardner, ND?

The average high peaks at 82 °F in July, with about 12 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 58036 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Fargo at the center of ZIP 58036: silty clay, poorly drained, pH about 7.2 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Gardner, ND in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 58036 came on Apr 23 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Apr 21), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Gardner, ND?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 58036 is 15 h 55 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).