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When to Plant Medlar in Cass County, ND

Cass County, North Dakota Zone 4a May

Top priorities for Cass County, North Dakota gardeners in May

Each item below is timed to Cass County, North Dakota's frost dates and soil temperatures. Skip nothing, stress about nothing.

Avg. last frost May 11
Avg. first frost October 2
Soil temp (4") 53°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure Low
Daylight 14.8 hrs
June will be here before you know it — start on
  • Transplants going out: medlar

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Medlar is a small ornamental tree producing unusual open-ended fruits that must be bletted (softened by frost) before eating. The flavor is complex, like spiced apple butter.

Cass County, North Dakota is in USDA Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 11 and the first fall frost is October 2, giving you a growing season of approximately 144 days.

At an elevation of 839 feet, Cass County receives approximately 33.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 80°F, so choose short-season varieties of Medlar to ensure they mature before fall.

Cass County, ND (Zone 4a) Short season
144 days
Last Spring Frost May 11
144 growing days
First Fall Frost October 2

Cass County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.5-7.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Monthly Watering Guide for Medlar

Medlar needs approximately 1 inches of water per week (4.3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Medlar Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 0.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 3.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 4.3" 4.2" 0.1" 💧 Light watering
Jun 4.3" 5.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 3.9" 0.4" 💧 Light watering
Aug 4.3" 4.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 4.3" 2.8" 1.5" 💧 Light watering
Oct 4.3" 2.3" 2" 💧 Light watering
Nov 1.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 0.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Oct in Cass County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Medlar Planting Timeline — Cass County, ND

Medlar Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors June 8 Jun 8 – Jun 22

· 120" apart · Rows 144" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March
April
May
June Transplant Outdoors
July
August
September
October
November
December

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

Moderate — regular watering

📅 Days to Maturity

1095–1825 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: N/A

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 4a

📆 Growing Season

144 days in Cass County

Growing Tips for Cass County

Plant in well-drained soil. Medlars are self-fertile and need minimal pruning. Harvest after the first frost and allow to soften (blet) indoors for 2-3 weeks before eating.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Medlar in Cass County, ND?

Cass County is in Zone 4a with an average last frost of May 11. Plan your Medlar planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Cass County, ND?

Cass County, North Dakota is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 11 and first fall frost is October 2.

🌱

Your Cass County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Cass County (Zone 4a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

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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 Cass County, ND. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: May 2026.

Sources & credits

Every number on this page traces back to a primary horticulture or government data source. Click through to verify.