3 planting zones in North Dakota with Map

North Dakota has three planting zones: 3b, 4a, and 4b, according to the latest 2023 USDA’s plant hardiness zone map.

Zone 3b, the coldest, covers the northern border region. Zone 4a dominates most of the state, including central and eastern areas. Zone 4b, the warmest, appears in patches across the southern part of North Dakota, particularly in the southwest and southeast corners.

You can find your North Dakota planting zone by using our ZIP code tool or the North Dakota city planting zone map. Both tools, provided below in the post, will help you determine your exact USDA growing zone.

Search North Dakota Planting Zones by ZipCode

Planting Zones North Dakota Map

Select your North Dakota city from the selection box below. Toggle layers from top-right corner button in mapview.

3 planting zones in North Dakota

1. Zone 3b

Zone 3b, the purple colored areas on our map above, is the coldest planting zone in North Dakota. It covers the northernmost parts of the state, forming a band along the Canadian border. This zone experiences average annual minimum temperatures ranging from -35°F to -30°F (-37.2°C to -34.4°C). It includes areas around Bottineau, Langdon, and Rolla. Other cities in this zone are Rugby, Dunseith, and Pembina, showcasing the harsh winter conditions these northern communities face.

2. Zone 4a

Zone 4a, the teal colored areas on our map, is the most widespread planting zone in North Dakota. It covers the majority of the state, including central and eastern regions. This zone has average annual minimum temperatures from -30°F to -25°F (-34.4°C to -31.7°C). It includes major cities such as Fargo, Bismarck, and Grand Forks. Other areas within this zone are Minot, Jamestown, and Devils Lake, representing a large area of North Dakota’s populated areas and agricultural lands.

3. Zone 4b

Zone 4b, shown in yellow color on the map above, is the warmest planting zone in North Dakota. It appears in scattered areas across the southern part of the state, particularly in the southwest and southeast corners. This zone has average annual minimum temperatures from -25°F to -20°F (-31.7°C to -28.9°C). Cities in this zone are Dickinson, Ashley, and Bowman. The zone also covers areas around Hettinger and Ellendale, showing slightly milder winter conditions compared to the rest of the state.

Planting Zones in North Dakota with Cities

USDA hardiness zones for North Dakota Cities, Towns and Counties. As per USDA -2023 latest release:

Planting Zones in North Dakota	Temp Range (°F)	Cities
4a	-30 to -25	Abercrombie, Absaraka, Alexander, Almont, Ambrose, Amenia, Anamoose, Aneta, Argusville, Arnegard, Arthur, Arvilla, Ayr, Baldwin, Balfour, Balta, Barney, Beach, Benedict, Berthold, Beulah, Binford, Bismarck, Blanchard, Bowbells, Bowdon, Braddock, Brocket, Buffalo, Burlington, Butte, Buxton, Caledonia, Cannon Ball, Carpio, Carrington, Carson, Cartwright, Casselton, Cathay, Cavalier, Center, Chaseley, Christine, Churchs Ferry, Clifford, Cogswell, Coleharbor, Colfax, Cooperstown, Courtenay, Crary, Crosby, Crystal, Cummings, Dahlen, Davenport, Dawson, Dazey, Denhoff, Des Lacs, Devils Lake, Dickinson, Dodge, Donnybrook, Douglas, Drake, Drayton, Driscoll, Dunn Center, Edinburg, Elgin, Emerado, Enderlin, Epping, Erie, Esmond, Fairfield, Fairmount, Fargo, Fessenden, Fingal, Finley, Flasher, Fordville, Forest River, Forman, Fort Ransom, Fort Totten, Fort Yates, Gackle, Galesburg, Gardner, Garrison, Gilby, Gladstone, Glasston, Glen Ullin, Glenburn, Glenfield, Golden Valley, Goodrich, Grace City, Grafton, Grand Forks, Grand Forks Afb, Grandin, Granville, Grassy Butte, Gwinner, Hague, Halliday, Hamilton, Hampden, Hannaford, Harvey, Harwood, Hatton, Havana, Hazelton, Hazen, Hebron, Hensel, Hillsboro, Hoople, Hope, Horace, Hunter, Hurdsfield, Inkster, Jamestown, Jessie, Karlsruhe, Kathryn, Keene, Kenmare, Kensal, Killdeer, Kindred, Kintyre, Knox, Lakota, Lankin, Lansford, Larimore, Lawton, Leeds, Leonard, Lignite, Linton, Lisbon, Litchville, Luverne, Maddock, Makoti, Mandan, Mandaree, Manning, Mantador, Manvel, Mapleton, Marmarth, Marshall, Martin, Max, Mayville, Mchenry, Mcleod, Mcville, Medina, Medora, Mekinock, Menoken, Mercer, Michigan, Milnor, Minnewaukan, Minot, Minot Afb, Minto, Moffit, Mohall, Mooreton, Mott, Mountain, Napoleon, Neche, New Leipzig, New Rockford, New Salem, New Town, Niagara, Nome, Northwood, Norwich, Oakes, Oberon, Oriska, Page, Palermo, Park River, Parshall, Pekin, Penn, Petersburg, Pettibone, Pillsbury, Pingree, Pisek, Plaza, Portland, Powers Lake, Raleigh, Ray, Regan, Regent, Reynolds, Richardton, Riverdale, Robinson, Rogers, Roseglen, Ross, Ruso, Rutland, Ryder, Saint Anthony, Saint Michael, Saint Thomas, Sanborn, Sawyer, Sentinel Butte, Sharon, Sheldon, Sheyenne, Shields, Solen, Spiritwood, Stanley, Stanton, Starkweather, Steele, Sterling, Stirum, Strasburg, Streeter, Surrey, Sutton, Sykeston, Tappen, Taylor, Thompson, Tokio, Tolley, Tolna, Tower City, Trenton, Turtle Lake, Tuttle, Underwood, Valley City, Velva, Verona, Voltaire, Wahpeton, Walcott, Walhalla, Warwick, Washburn, Watford City, Webster, West Fargo, Wheatland, White Earth, Williston, Wilton, Wimbledon, Wing, Wishek, Woodworth, Wyndmere, York, Ypsilanti, Zahl, Zap, Zeeland
4b	-25 to -20	Amidon, Ashley, Belfield, Berlin, Bowman, Buchanan, Cayuga, Cleveland, Dickey, Dickinson, Edgeley, Ellendale, Forbes, Fredonia, Fullerton, Golva, Hankinson, Hettinger, Jamestown, Jud, Kulm, Lamoure, Lefor, Lehr, Lidgerwood, Marion, Mcclusky, Montpelier, New England, Reeder, Rhame, Scranton, Selfridge, South Heart
3b	-35 to -30	Adams, Agate, Alamo, Alsen, Antler, Bantry, Bathgate, Belcourt, Bisbee, Bottineau, Calvin, Cando, Columbus, Deering, Dunseith, Edmore, Egeland, Fairdale, Flaxton, Fortuna, Grenora, Hannah, Hansboro, Kramer, Langdon, Maida, Maxbass, Mcgregor, Milton, Munich, Mylo, Nekoma, Newburg, Noonan, Osnabrock, Pembina, Perth, Portal, Rocklake, Rolette, Rolla, Rugby, Saint John, Sarles, Sherwood, Souris, Tioga, Towner, Upham, Wales, Westhope, Wildrose, Willow City, Wolford

Best Plants for North Dakota?

Cold-hardy species adapted to harsh winters and short growing seasons thrive in North Dakota’s zones 3b and 4b. Zone 3b supports hardy perennials like Stipa viridula (green needlegrass). Zone 4b allows for a wider variety, including Sporobolus heterolepis (prairie dropseed).

Redmann’s 1975 study on western North Dakota grasslands found Sporobolus heterolepis stands showed highest herbage production and chlorophyll values. Generally Plant success is based on factor like soil moisture, fertility, and balance of cool-season and warm-season grasses.