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

Planting zone for 58712 — Balfour, ND

ZIP code 58712 (Balfour, McHenry County) is in USDA zone 4a: the coldest winter night averages −30 to −25 °F. The median last spring frost is May 16 and the first fall frost September 28.

Where ZIP 58712 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 16

First frostSep 28

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 Balfour, 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 Balfour, ND

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMay 16median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 31only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostSeptember 28median — 10% chance by Sep 13

Growing season134 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 6 and returns around October 5.

From the NOAA station Butte 5se, ND — 12 miles away, elevation 1,719 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 58712

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Apr 4 – Apr 18

SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 4 – Apr 25

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 7 – Mar 21

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 25 – May 9

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 18 – May 2

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 25 – May 9

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 18 – May 2

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 25 – May 9

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 21 – Apr 4

TomatoesTransplant · May 23 – Jun 6

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 7 – Mar 21

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 30 – Jun 13

BeansSow outdoors · May 23 – Jun 6

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 23 – Jun 6

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 23 – Jun 6

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 16) 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 58712 came on Apr 24 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Apr 24).

average
Apr 242026
Apr 24

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).

Soil in Balfour, ND

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 58712 is Svea — loam, moderately well drained.

TextureLoama good balance for most vegetables

pH7.0neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageModerately well drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter5.5%high

Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately

Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Svea-Cresbard 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 58712; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Balfour, ND

Summer high81 °Faverage high, July

Winter low1 °Faverage low, January

Hot days13days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights184nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,131base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day16 h 02 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day8 h 22 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation18.1 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: Butte 5se, ND (12 mi away); precipitation: Drake 9 Ne, ND (12 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 4a.

Karlsruhe, ND · 10 mi

Granville, ND · 25 mi

North Dakota planting zones →

Questions about 58712

What planting zone is ZIP code 58712?

ZIP code 58712 (Balfour, 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 Balfour, ND?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 58712 is May 16; after May 31 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Butte 5se station.

When is the first frost in Balfour, ND?

The median first fall frost near 58712 is September 28, giving a median frost-free growing season of 134 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 58712?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 21 – Apr 4 and set transplants outside around May 23 – Jun 6, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 58712 get?

About 18.1 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Drake 9 Ne station).

How hot do summers get in Balfour, ND?

The average high peaks at 81 °F in July, with about 13 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 58712 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Svea at the center of ZIP 58712: loam, moderately well drained, pH about 7.0 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Balfour, ND in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 58712 came on Apr 24 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Apr 24), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Balfour, ND?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 58712 is 16 h 02 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).