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When to Plant Salsify in Pembina 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.

Pembina County, North Dakota is in USDA Zone 3b. The average last spring frost is May 15 and the first fall frost is September 28, giving you a growing season of approximately 136 days.

At an elevation of 958 feet, Pembina County receives approximately 26.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 79ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Salsify to ensure they mature before fall.

Pembina County, ND (Zone 3b) Short season
136 days
Last Spring Frost May 15
136 growing days
First Fall Frost September 28

Pembina County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.6-7.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (8 days to spare)
Transplant: May 11 🍅 Harvest: Aug 24 – Sep 14
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (10 days to spare)
Transplant: May 15 🍅 Harvest: Aug 28 – Sep 18
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (9 days to spare)
Transplant: May 30 🍅 Harvest: Sep 12 – Oct 3

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
0.8″/week
You supply
0.2″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 220 gal / 100 sq ft
Salsify needs ~1,064 GDD — county provides 1,258 GDD Good fit

Salsify Planting Timeline โ€” Pembina County, ND

Salsify Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow May 8 May 8 โ€“ May 29
Fall Sowing July 6 Jul 6 โ€“ Jul 20
Harvest August 21 Aug 21 โ€“ Sep 11

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 3b

Growing Season

136 days

Growing Tips for Pembina 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 Pembina County, ND?

Pembina County is in Zone 3b with an average last frost of May 15. Plan your Salsify planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Pembina County, ND?

Pembina County, North Dakota is in USDA Hardiness Zone 3b. The average last spring frost is May 15 and first fall frost is September 28.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Pembina County gardeners in Zone 3b 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 Pembina County, ND. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.