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South Dakota frost dates
Across the 21South Dakota weather stations below, the average last spring frost ranges from Apr 27 in Yankton 2 E to May 23 in Custer. The statewide middle is about May 6 for the last spring frost and Oct 2 for the first fall frost. Yankton 2 E has the longest growing season, about 167 days. Hardiness zones in these places: 4a, 4b, 5a.
Frost dates by city
| Place | Zone | Last spring frost | 90% safe after | First fall frost | Frost-free days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yankton 2 E | 5a | Apr 27 | May 10 | Oct 11 | 167 |
| Mitchell | 5a | Apr 30 | May 13 | Oct 5 | 158 |
| Chamberlain | 5a | May 1 | May 14 | Oct 7 | 159 |
| Sioux Falls | 5a | May 1 | May 14 | Oct 6 | 158 |
| Sioux Falls 14 Nne | 5a | May 1 | May 15 | Oct 4 | 156 |
| Winner Wiley | 5a | May 1 | May 15 | Oct 10 | 162 |
| Sisseton | 4b | May 3 | May 16 | Sep 30 | 150 |
| Mobridge | 4b | May 5 | May 20 | Oct 4 | 152 |
| Huron | 4b | May 6 | May 20 | Oct 2 | 149 |
| Pierre | 4b | May 6 | May 21 | Oct 3 | 150 |
| Pierre 24 S | 5a | May 6 | May 20 | Oct 7 | 154 |
| Faith | 4b | May 7 | May 20 | Oct 3 | 149 |
| Watertown | 4b | May 7 | May 20 | Sep 30 | 146 |
| Aberdeen | 4a | May 9 | May 22 | Sep 26 | 140 |
| Aberdeen 35 Wnw | 4b | May 10 | May 22 | Sep 30 | 143 |
| Buffalo | 4b | May 10 | May 23 | Oct 1 | 144 |
| Philip | 5a | May 11 | May 24 | Sep 30 | 142 |
| Rapid | 5a | May 12 | May 26 | Oct 1 | 142 |
| Pine Ridge | 5a | May 16 | May 31 | Sep 27 | 134 |
| Buffalo 13 Ese | 4b | May 20 | Jun 2 | Sep 19 | 122 |
| Custer | 5a | May 23 | Jun 6 | Sep 24 | 124 |
Dates are the 50% probability of a 32°F freeze (NOAA 1991–2020 normals); "90% safe after" is the date after which a later spring freeze happens in only 1 year in 10.
When to plant in South Dakota
Using the statewide middle dates (last frost May 6, first frost Oct 2). Adjust for your town with the table above or the planting calendar.
| Plant | When to plant in South Dakota |
|---|---|
| Tomatoes | May 13 – May 27 |
| Peas | Mar 25 – Apr 15; fall: Jul 10 – Jul 31 |
| Potatoes | Apr 8 – Apr 29 |
| Green beans | May 13 – May 27; fall: Jul 17 – Jul 31 |
| Garlic | Oct 2 – Oct 30 |
| Tulips | Sep 18 – Oct 30 |