Blog

When to Plant Microgreens in Steele County, ND

Microgreens are young seedlings of vegetables and herbs harvested at the cotyledon or first true leaf stage. They pack concentrated flavors and nutrients in a tiny package.

Steele County, North Dakota is in USDA Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 11 and the first fall frost is October 1, giving you a growing season of approximately 143 days.

At an elevation of 624 feet, Steele County receives approximately 21.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 80°F, so choose short-season varieties of Microgreens to ensure they mature before fall.

Steele County, ND (Zone 4a) Short season
143 days
Last Spring Frost May 11
143 growing days
First Fall Frost October 1

Steele County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Drainage

Well Drained

Microgreens Planting Timeline — Steele County, ND

Microgreens Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 30 Mar 30 – Apr 13
Transplant Outdoors May 11 May 11 – May 25
Direct Sow May 4 May 4 – May 25
Harvest May 18 May 18 – Jun 15
Fall Sowing July 9 Jul 9 – Jul 23

Plant 0.5" deep · 2" apart · Rows 6" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March Start Indoors
April Start Indoors
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow Harvest
June Harvest
July Fall Sowing
August
September
October
November
December

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

💧 Water

Moderate — regular watering

📅 Days to Maturity

7–21 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: N/A

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 4a

📆 Growing Season

143 days in Steele County

Growing Tips for Steele County

Sow seeds densely on shallow trays of moist growing medium. Cover until germination, then provide light. Harvest with scissors when 1-3 inches tall. Grow year-round indoors.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Microgreens in Steele County, ND?

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

What planting zone is Steele County, ND?

Steele County, North Dakota is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 11 and first fall frost is October 1.

🌱

Your Steele County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Steele 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.

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

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

Sources & credits

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