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

Planting zone for 58428 — Dawson, ND

ZIP code 58428 (Dawson, Kidder County) is in USDA zone 4a: the coldest winter night averages −30 to −25 °F. The median last spring frost is May 15 and the first fall frost September 25.

Where ZIP 58428 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 15

First frostSep 25

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 Dawson, 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 Dawson, ND

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMay 15median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 28only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostSeptember 25median — 10% chance by Sep 12

Growing season133 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 5 and returns around October 5.

From the NOAA station Steele 4n, ND — 11 miles away, elevation 1,854 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 58428

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Apr 3 – Apr 17

SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 3 – Apr 24

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 6 – Mar 20

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 24 – May 8

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 17 – May 1

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 24 – May 8

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 17 – May 1

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 24 – May 8

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 20 – Apr 3

TomatoesTransplant · May 22 – Jun 5

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 6 – Mar 20

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 29 – Jun 12

BeansSow outdoors · May 22 – Jun 5

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 22 – Jun 5

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 22 – Jun 5

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Jul 31 – Aug 14

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 11 – Oct 16

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 15) and first fall frost (Sep 25) 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 58428 came on Apr 21 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Apr 21).

average
Apr 212026
Apr 21

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 Dawson, ND.

Soil in Dawson, ND

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 58428 is Appam — sandy loam, somewhat excessively drained.

TextureSandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

pH6.9neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageSomewhat excessively drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter3%moderate

Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Appam sandy loam, 2 to 6 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 58428; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Dawson, ND

Summer high82 °Faverage high, July

Winter low1 °Faverage low, January

Hot days12days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights187nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,150base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 52 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day8 h 32 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation21.4 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: Steele 4n, ND (11 mi away); precipitation: Steele 4n, ND (11 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 4a.

North Dakota planting zones →

Questions about 58428

What planting zone is ZIP code 58428?

ZIP code 58428 (Dawson, 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 Dawson, ND?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 58428 is May 15; after May 28 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Steele 4n station.

When is the first frost in Dawson, ND?

The median first fall frost near 58428 is September 25, giving a median frost-free growing season of 133 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 58428?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 20 – Apr 3 and set transplants outside around May 22 – Jun 5, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 58428 get?

About 21.4 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Steele 4n station).

How hot do summers get in Dawson, 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 58428 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Appam at the center of ZIP 58428: sandy loam, somewhat excessively drained, pH about 6.9 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Dawson, ND in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 58428 came on Apr 21 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 Dawson, ND?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 58428 is 15 h 52 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).