Elkton, SD frost dates
Last spring frostMay 5median date
First fall frostOct 1median date
Growing season149 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone4bZone 4b
How Elkton compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Elkton falls between April 23 and May 17, a 24-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 19 and October 14.
- The median last frost is 1 day earlier than the South Dakota median of May 6.
- Its 149-day growing season is longer than 48% of the 363 South Dakota places with a regular frost season (state median 149 days).
- The last frost is typical for zone 4b, where the median is May 8.
- The weather station records an average of 177 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Sioux Falls, SD, 74 km away, the last frost here is 9 days later than there and the growing season is 21 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 23 |
| 50% (median) | May 5 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 17 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 19 |
| 50% (median) | October 1 |
| 90% (late) | October 14 |
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 Elkton, SD
Elkton, SD frost dates — last frost May 5, first frost Oct 1, zone 4b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Feb 10 to Feb 24Transplant outside: Apr 7 to Apr 21
Start indoors: Feb 24 to Mar 10Transplant outside: May 19 to Jun 2
Start indoors: Feb 24 to Mar 10Transplant outside: May 19 to Jun 2
Start indoors: Mar 10 to Mar 24Transplant outside: May 12 to May 26
Start indoors: Mar 10 to Mar 24Transplant outside: Apr 14 to Apr 28Sow outdoors: Apr 7 to May 12Plant for fall: Aug 6 to Sep 3
Start indoors: Mar 10 to Mar 24Transplant outside: Apr 7 to Apr 21Sow outdoors: Apr 7 to Apr 21Plant for fall: Jul 23 to Aug 13
Start indoors: Mar 10 to Mar 24Transplant outside: Apr 21 to May 5Plant for fall: Jun 25 to Jul 16
Start indoors: Mar 10 to Mar 24Transplant outside: Apr 14 to Apr 28Plant for fall: Jun 25 to Jul 16
Start indoors: Mar 10 to Mar 24Transplant outside: Apr 21 to May 5Plant for fall: Jun 25 to Jul 16
Start indoors: Mar 24 to Apr 7Transplant outside: May 26 to Jun 9Sow outdoors: May 26 to Jun 9
Start indoors: Mar 24 to Apr 7Transplant outside: May 12 to May 26
Sow outdoors: Mar 24 to Apr 14Plant for fall: Jul 9 to Jul 30
Sow outdoors: Mar 24 to Apr 14Plant for fall: Aug 6 to Aug 27
Sow outdoors: Mar 31 to May 12Plant for fall: Aug 20 to Sep 10
Start indoors: Apr 7 to Apr 14Transplant outside: May 19 to May 26Sow outdoors: May 12 to May 26Plant for fall: Jul 16 to Jul 30
Start indoors: Apr 7 to Apr 14Sow outdoors: May 12 to May 26Plant for fall: Jul 23 to Aug 6
Start indoors: Apr 7 to Apr 14Sow outdoors: May 12 to May 26
Start indoors: Apr 7 to Apr 14Transplant outside: May 19 to Jun 2
Sow outdoors: Apr 14 to May 12Plant for fall: Jul 9 to Jul 23
Sow outdoors: Apr 14 to May 12Plant for fall: Jul 23 to Aug 6
Sow outdoors: Apr 14 to May 5
Sow outdoors: Apr 21 to May 19Plant for fall: Jul 23 to Aug 6
Sow outdoors: Apr 21 to May 12Plant for fall: Aug 6 to Aug 27
Sow outdoors: May 12 to Jun 2Plant for fall: Jul 16 to Jul 30
Sow outdoors: May 12 to May 26
Transplant outside: May 19 to Jun 9
Plant for fall: Sep 17 to Oct 22
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Elkton, SD
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 10 – Feb 24 | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | May 19 – Jun 2 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | May 19 – Jun 2 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | May 12 – May 26 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | Apr 7 – May 12 | Aug 6 – Sep 3 |
| Kale | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | Jul 23 – Aug 13 |
| Broccoli | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | Apr 21 – May 5 | — | Jun 25 – Jul 16 |
| Cabbage | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | — | Jun 25 – Jul 16 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | Apr 21 – May 5 | — | Jun 25 – Jul 16 |
| Okra | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | May 26 – Jun 9 | May 26 – Jun 9 | — |
| Basil | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | May 12 – May 26 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 24 – Apr 14 | Jul 9 – Jul 30 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 24 – Apr 14 | Aug 6 – Aug 27 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 31 – May 12 | Aug 20 – Sep 10 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 7 – Apr 14 | May 19 – May 26 | May 12 – May 26 | Jul 16 – Jul 30 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 7 – Apr 14 | — | May 12 – May 26 | Jul 23 – Aug 6 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 7 – Apr 14 | — | May 12 – May 26 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 7 – Apr 14 | May 19 – Jun 2 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 14 – May 12 | Jul 9 – Jul 23 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 14 – May 12 | Jul 23 – Aug 6 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 14 – May 5 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 21 – May 19 | Jul 23 – Aug 6 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 21 – May 12 | Aug 6 – Aug 27 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 12 – Jun 2 | Jul 16 – Jul 30 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 12 – May 26 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 19 – Jun 9 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 17 – Oct 22 |
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 Flandreau, SD weather station, 22 km away (elevation 1,568 ft (478 m)).
Frost dates near Elkton
- Aurora May 6 · Oct 1
- Flandreau May 5 · Oct 1
- White May 6 · Oct 3
- Brookings May 6 · Oct 1
- Egan May 5 · Oct 1
- Volga May 6 · Oct 1
- Astoria May 6 · Oct 3
- Trent May 1 · Oct 4
- Colman May 2 · Oct 5
- Nunda May 2 · Oct 5
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Elkton, SD?
The median last spring frost in Elkton, SD is May 5. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 17, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Elkton, SD?
The median first fall frost is October 1, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 19.
How long is the growing season in Elkton, SD?
About 149 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Elkton, SD?
Elkton, SD is in USDA hardiness zone 4b.