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

Planting zone for 58639 — Hettinger, ND

ZIP code 58639 (Hettinger, Adams County) is in USDA zone 4b: the coldest winter night averages −25 to −20 °F. The median last spring frost is May 24 and the first fall frost September 18.

Where ZIP 58639 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 24

First frostSep 18

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 Hettinger, 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 Hettinger, ND

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMay 24median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsJune 10only 10% chance of frost after

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

Growing season115 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 13 and returns around September 27.

From the NOAA station Hettinger Municipal Airport, ND — 4 miles away, elevation 2,707 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 58639

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Apr 12 – Apr 26

SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 12 – May 3

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 15 – Mar 29

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · May 3 – May 17

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 26 – May 10

PotatoesPlant outdoors · May 3 – May 17

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 26 – May 10

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · May 3 – May 17

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 29 – Apr 12

TomatoesTransplant · May 31 – Jun 14

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 15 – Mar 29

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Jun 7 – Jun 21

BeansSow outdoors · May 31 – Jun 14

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 31 – Jun 14

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 31 – Jun 14

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Jul 24 – Aug 7

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 4 – Oct 9

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 24) and first fall frost (Sep 18) 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 58639 came on Apr 8 — 9 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 17).

average
Apr 172026
Apr 8

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 Hettinger, ND.

Soil in Hettinger, ND

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 58639 is Wyola — silty clay loam, well drained.

TextureSilty clay loamholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up

pH6.4slightly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter3%moderate

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Wyola silty clay 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 58639; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Hettinger, ND

Summer high84 °Faverage high, July

Winter low5 °Faverage low, January

Hot days24days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights201nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days1,997base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 46 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day8 h 38 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation14.3 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: Hettinger Municipal Airport, ND (4 mi away); precipitation: Hettinger Municipal Airport, ND (4 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

586494b

Reeder, ND · 13 mi

576404b

Lodgepole, SD · 21 mi

New England, ND · 34 mi

North Dakota planting zones →

Questions about 58639

What planting zone is ZIP code 58639?

ZIP code 58639 (Hettinger, 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 Hettinger, ND?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 58639 is May 24; after June 10 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Hettinger Municipal Airport station.

When is the first frost in Hettinger, ND?

The median first fall frost near 58639 is September 18, giving a median frost-free growing season of 115 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 58639?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 29 – Apr 12 and set transplants outside around May 31 – Jun 14, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 58639 get?

About 14.3 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Hettinger Municipal Airport station).

How hot do summers get in Hettinger, ND?

The average high peaks at 84 °F in July, with about 24 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 58639 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Wyola at the center of ZIP 58639: silty clay loam, well drained, pH about 6.4 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in Hettinger, ND in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 58639 came on Apr 8 in 2026, 9 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 17), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Hettinger, ND?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 58639 is 15 h 46 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 58639 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 58639 in zone 4a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 4b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.