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When to Plant Salsify in Burleigh County, ND

Salsify is a root vegetable with a subtle oyster-like flavor, earning it the nickname "oyster plant." It produces long, slender, cream-colored roots.

Burleigh County, North Dakota is in USDA Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 12 and the first fall frost is September 27, giving you a growing season of approximately 138 days.

At an elevation of 1,102 feet, Burleigh County receives approximately 23.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 82ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Salsify to ensure they mature before fall.

Burleigh County, ND (Zone 4a) Short season
138 days
Last Spring Frost May 12
138 growing days
First Fall Frost September 27

Burleigh County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.7-7.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 7 🍅 Harvest: Aug 20 – Oct 1
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 12 🍅 Harvest: Aug 25 – Oct 6
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 26 🍅 Harvest: Sep 8 – Oct 20

Percentages indicate frost risk at transplant. The 70% safe window means there is a 30% chance of frost after transplant — suitable for cold-hardy crops or gardeners with frost protection. The 90% safe window is best for tender plants.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.7″/week
You supply
0.4″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 438 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Salsify needs ~1,322 GDD — county provides 1,587 GDD Good fit

Salsify Planting Timeline โ€” Burleigh County, ND

Salsify Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow May 5 May 5 โ€“ May 26
Fall Sowing July 5 Jul 5 โ€“ Jul 19
Harvest August 18 Aug 18 โ€“ Sep 29

Plant 0.5" deep ยท 6" apart ยท Rows 12" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April โ€”
May Direct Sow
June โ€”
July Fall Sowing
August Harvest
September Harvest
October โ€”
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

Days to Maturity

100โ€“130 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 7.5

USDA Zone

Zone 4a

Growing Season

138 days

Growing Tips for Burleigh County

Direct sow in spring in deeply worked, stone-free soil. Use fresh seed only as viability drops quickly. Harvest in late fall after frost for best flavor.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Salsify in Burleigh County, ND?

Burleigh County is in Zone 4a with an average last frost of May 12. Plan your Salsify planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Burleigh County, ND?

Burleigh County, North Dakota is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 12 and first fall frost is September 27.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Burleigh County gardeners in Zone 4a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Burleigh County, ND. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.