Elk Point, SD frost dates
Last spring frostMay 3median date
First fall frostOct 3median date
Growing season153 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone5aZone 5a
How Elk Point compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Elk Point falls between April 20 and May 16, a 26-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 20 and October 17.
- The median last frost is 3 days earlier than the South Dakota median of May 6.
- Its 153-day growing season is longer than 67% of the 363 South Dakota places with a regular frost season (state median 149 days).
- The last frost is typical for zone 5a, where the median is May 3.
- The weather station records an average of 152 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Sioux City, IA, 37 km away, the last frost here is 4 days later than there and the growing season is 8 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 20 |
| 50% (median) | May 3 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 16 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 20 |
| 50% (median) | October 3 |
| 90% (late) | October 17 |
Frost here means 32°F (0°C). A median date means half of years have their last frost earlier and half later.
Planting calendar for Elk Point, SD
Elk Point, SD frost dates — last frost May 3, first frost Oct 3, zone 5a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Feb 8 to Feb 22Transplant outside: Apr 5 to Apr 19
Start indoors: Feb 22 to Mar 8Transplant outside: May 17 to May 31
Start indoors: Feb 22 to Mar 8Transplant outside: May 17 to May 31
Start indoors: Mar 8 to Mar 22Transplant outside: May 10 to May 24
Start indoors: Mar 8 to Mar 22Transplant outside: Apr 12 to Apr 26Sow outdoors: Apr 5 to May 10Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Sep 5
Start indoors: Mar 8 to Mar 22Transplant outside: Apr 5 to Apr 19Sow outdoors: Apr 5 to Apr 19Plant for fall: Jul 25 to Aug 15
Start indoors: Mar 8 to Mar 22Transplant outside: Apr 19 to May 3Plant for fall: Jun 27 to Jul 18
Start indoors: Mar 8 to Mar 22Transplant outside: Apr 12 to Apr 26Plant for fall: Jun 27 to Jul 18
Start indoors: Mar 8 to Mar 22Transplant outside: Apr 19 to May 3Plant for fall: Jun 27 to Jul 18
Start indoors: Mar 22 to Apr 5Transplant outside: May 24 to Jun 7Sow outdoors: May 24 to Jun 7
Start indoors: Mar 22 to Apr 5Transplant outside: May 10 to May 24
Sow outdoors: Mar 22 to Apr 12Plant for fall: Jul 11 to Aug 1
Sow outdoors: Mar 22 to Apr 12Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Aug 29
Sow outdoors: Mar 29 to May 10Plant for fall: Aug 22 to Sep 12
Start indoors: Apr 5 to Apr 12Transplant outside: May 17 to May 24Sow outdoors: May 10 to May 24Plant for fall: Jul 18 to Aug 1
Start indoors: Apr 5 to Apr 12Sow outdoors: May 10 to May 24Plant for fall: Jul 25 to Aug 8
Start indoors: Apr 5 to Apr 12Sow outdoors: May 10 to May 24
Start indoors: Apr 5 to Apr 12Transplant outside: May 17 to May 31
Sow outdoors: Apr 12 to May 10Plant for fall: Jul 11 to Jul 25
Sow outdoors: Apr 12 to May 10Plant for fall: Jul 25 to Aug 8
Sow outdoors: Apr 12 to May 3
Sow outdoors: Apr 19 to May 17Plant for fall: Jul 25 to Aug 8
Sow outdoors: Apr 19 to May 10Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Aug 29
Sow outdoors: May 10 to May 31Plant for fall: Jul 18 to Aug 1
Sow outdoors: May 10 to May 24
Transplant outside: May 17 to Jun 7
Plant for fall: Sep 19 to Oct 24
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Elk Point, SD
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | May 17 – May 31 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | May 17 – May 31 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | May 10 – May 24 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | Apr 5 – May 10 | Aug 8 – Sep 5 |
| Kale | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | Jul 25 – Aug 15 |
| Broccoli | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | Apr 19 – May 3 | — | Jun 27 – Jul 18 |
| Cabbage | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | — | Jun 27 – Jul 18 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | Apr 19 – May 3 | — | Jun 27 – Jul 18 |
| Okra | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | May 24 – Jun 7 | May 24 – Jun 7 | — |
| Basil | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | May 10 – May 24 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 22 – Apr 12 | Jul 11 – Aug 1 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 22 – Apr 12 | Aug 8 – Aug 29 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 29 – May 10 | Aug 22 – Sep 12 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 5 – Apr 12 | May 17 – May 24 | May 10 – May 24 | Jul 18 – Aug 1 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 5 – Apr 12 | — | May 10 – May 24 | Jul 25 – Aug 8 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 5 – Apr 12 | — | May 10 – May 24 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 5 – Apr 12 | May 17 – May 31 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 12 – May 10 | Jul 11 – Jul 25 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 12 – May 10 | Jul 25 – Aug 8 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 12 – May 3 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 19 – May 17 | Jul 25 – Aug 8 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 19 – May 10 | Aug 8 – Aug 29 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 10 – May 31 | Jul 18 – Aug 1 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 10 – May 24 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 17 – Jun 7 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 19 – Oct 24 |
Dates come from the median frost dates and common extension-service timing. Adjust for your soil temperature, microclimate and the varieties you grow.
About these dates
Based on 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for the Vermillion 2 Se, SD weather station, 19 km away (elevation 1,138 ft (347 m)).
Frost dates near Elk Point
- Burbank May 3 · Oct 3
- Jefferson Apr 29 · Oct 7
- Vermillion May 3 · Oct 3
- North Sioux City Apr 29 · Oct 7
- Alcester May 1 · Oct 4
- Beresford May 2 · Oct 1
- Wakonda May 2 · Oct 1
- Gayville Apr 27 · Oct 11
- Hudson May 1 · Oct 4
- Volin Apr 27 · Oct 11
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Elk Point, SD?
The median last spring frost in Elk Point, SD is May 3. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 16, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Elk Point, SD?
The median first fall frost is October 3, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 20.
How long is the growing season in Elk Point, SD?
About 153 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Elk Point, SD?
Elk Point, SD is in USDA hardiness zone 5a.