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

Planting zone for 58420 — Buchanan, ND

ZIP code 58420 (Buchanan, Stutsman County) is in USDA zone 4b: the coldest winter night averages −25 to −20 °F. The median last spring frost is May 11 and the first fall frost September 28.

Where ZIP 58420 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.

Zone4b−25 to −20 °F

Coldest night−31.7 to −28.9 °C

Last frostMay 11

First frostSep 28

2012 zone4a

Was 4a on the 2012 map — half a zone warmer now. The zone is the one at the center of the ZIP code; hilly ZIPs can span two zones. What zone 4b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Buchanan, 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 Buchanan, ND

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMay 11median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 24only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostSeptember 28median — 10% chance by Sep 15

Growing season138 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 1 and returns around October 6.

From the NOAA station Jamestown Municipal Airport, ND — 13 miles away, elevation 1,493 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 58420

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 30 – Apr 13

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 30 – Apr 20

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 2 – Mar 16

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 20 – May 4

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 13 – Apr 27

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 20 – May 4

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 13 – Apr 27

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 20 – May 4

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 16 – Mar 30

TomatoesTransplant · May 18 – Jun 1

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 2 – Mar 16

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 25 – Jun 8

BeansSow outdoors · May 18 – Jun 1

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 18 – Jun 1

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 18 – Jun 1

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 3 – Aug 17

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 14 – Oct 19

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 11) and first fall frost (Sep 28) 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 58420 came on Apr 22 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Apr 22).

average
Apr 222026
Apr 22

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 4b in North Dakota

372 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in North Dakota, and rated by the USDA to survive −25 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 4b. 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 Buchanan, ND.

Soil in Buchanan, ND

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 58420 is Barnes — loam, well drained.

TextureLoama good balance for most vegetables

pH7.0neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter4%moderate

Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately

Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Barnes-Svea loams, 0 to 3 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 58420; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Buchanan, ND

Summer high81 °Faverage high, July

Winter low1 °Faverage low, January

Hot days9days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights181nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,163base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 54 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day8 h 30 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation19.8 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Jamestown Municipal Airport, ND (13 mi away); precipitation: Jamestown Municipal Airport, ND (13 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

5 of the 8 nearest ZIP codes are in a different zone — elevation and distance from water change winter lows quickly.

584764a

Pingree, ND · 11 mi

584054b

Jamestown, ND · 13 mi

584014b

Jamestown, ND · 13 mi

584024a

Jamestown, ND · 15 mi

584244b

Cleveland, ND · 17 mi

584264a

Courtenay, ND · 17 mi

584554a

Kensal, ND · 18 mi

584974a

Ypsilanti, ND · 26 mi

North Dakota planting zones →

Questions about 58420

What planting zone is ZIP code 58420?

ZIP code 58420 (Buchanan, ND) is in USDA hardiness zone 4b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −25 to −20 °F (−31.7 to −28.9 °C).

When is the last frost in Buchanan, ND?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 58420 is May 11; after May 24 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Jamestown Municipal Airport station.

When is the first frost in Buchanan, ND?

The median first fall frost near 58420 is September 28, giving a median frost-free growing season of 138 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 58420?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 16 – Mar 30 and set transplants outside around May 18 – Jun 1, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 58420 get?

About 19.8 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Jamestown Municipal Airport station).

How hot do summers get in Buchanan, ND?

The average high peaks at 81 °F in July, with about 9 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 58420 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Barnes at the center of ZIP 58420: loam, well drained, pH about 7.0 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Buchanan, ND in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 58420 came on Apr 22 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Apr 22), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Buchanan, ND?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 58420 is 15 h 54 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 58420 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 58420 in zone 4a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 4b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.