Best Herbs to Grow in North Dakota
North Dakota spans USDA Zones 3–5, typically Zone 4. We've broken out 82 herb varieties by zone — pick your zone below or find the right varieties for your specific part of the state.
Varieties
82
for North Dakota
USDA
Zones 3–5
120–155 days season
Beginner
75
easy to grow
Heirloom
69
heritage varieties
North Dakota in USDA Zones 3–5
North Dakota spans Zones 3–5. Variety lists below are organized by zone — start with your zone for the most accurate recommendations.
Growing Herbs in North Dakota
Zone 4 herb gardening requires choosing varieties that can handle the reality of a short but often intense growing season. With your last frost typically arriving around May 10th and the first fall frost coming as early as September 25th, you're working with roughly 135 days of frost-free growing time. This compressed season actually works in favor of many herbs, which tend to develop more concentrated flavors when they grow quickly in warm conditions without the stress of extreme heat that zones further south experience.
The key to success in Zone 4 is selecting herbs that either mature quickly, handle cool weather well, or both. Cold-hardy perennials like thyme, oregano, and chives will return year after year, giving you the best value for your garden space. Fast-growing annuals like basil varieties, cilantro, and dill can produce multiple harvests if you succession plant every 2-3 weeks. The herbs we've selected here have all proven themselves in Zone 4 conditions, offering reliable harvests and the ability to withstand the occasional unexpected cool snap that catches gardeners off guard.
Your shorter season also means you'll want to focus on herbs that give you the biggest flavor impact per plant. Varieties like Genovese Basil for classic pesto, French Tarragon for its unique anise notes, and Gourmet Gold Dill for both foliage and seed production will maximize your harvest potential. Many of these herbs actually prefer the moderate summer temperatures typical of Zone 4, avoiding the heat stress that can make basil bolt prematurely or turn mint bitter in hotter climates.
Zone 4 Herbs for North Dakota★ Most of ND
73 varieties · Last frost May 10 · 135-day season
Zone 3 Herbs for North Dakota
63 varieties · Last frost May 15 · 120-day season
Zone 5 Herbs for North Dakota
82 varieties · Last frost April 30 · 155-day season
Zone 4 Growing Tips for North Dakota
Start your warm-season herbs like basil varieties indoors 6-8 weeks before your last frost date, which means getting seeds started in mid-March. These tender herbs need soil temperatures consistently above 60°F, so don't rush to transplant them outside until at least a week after your average last frost. I've learned that waiting until Memorial Day weekend gives you much better survival rates, even if it feels late. Cold-hardy herbs like parsley, chives, and thyme can go out 2-3 weeks before the last frost, and cilantro actually prefers these cooler conditions for germination.
Season extension becomes crucial for maximizing your Zone 4 herb harvest. Simple protection like row covers, Wall O' Water plant protectors, or even overturned milk jugs can buy you 2-3 extra weeks on both ends of the season. For herbs like basil that you want to keep producing until hard frost, having these protection methods ready can mean the difference between a September harvest and pushing into late October. Consider succession planting cool-weather herbs like cilantro and dill every two weeks from early May through mid-July to ensure continuous harvests.
The biggest challenge Zone 4 gardeners face with herbs is balancing the urge to plant early with the reality of surprise late frosts. I always keep backup seedlings of basil and other tender herbs indoors until June, because losing your main planting to a Memorial Day frost is heartbreaking. Also, focus on harvesting heavily before your first fall frost rather than trying to keep plants alive – most annual herbs will give you their best flavor when harvested just before they face cold stress.