Frederick, SD frost dates
Last spring frostMay 4median date
First fall frostOct 2median date
Growing season151 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone4bZone 4b
How Frederick compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Frederick falls between April 22 and May 17, a 25-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 21 and October 15.
- The median last frost is 2 days earlier than the South Dakota median of May 6.
- Its 151-day growing season is longer than 58% of the 363 South Dakota places with a regular frost season (state median 149 days).
- The last frost is 4 days earlier than the zone 4b median of May 8. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 4b chart.
- The weather station records an average of 176 nights a year at or below 32°F.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 22 |
| 50% (median) | May 4 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 17 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 21 |
| 50% (median) | October 2 |
| 90% (late) | October 15 |
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 Frederick, SD
Frederick, SD frost dates — last frost May 4, first frost Oct 2, zone 4b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Feb 9 to Feb 23Transplant outside: Apr 6 to Apr 20
Start indoors: Feb 23 to Mar 9Transplant outside: May 18 to Jun 1
Start indoors: Feb 23 to Mar 9Transplant outside: May 18 to Jun 1
Start indoors: Mar 9 to Mar 23Transplant outside: May 11 to May 25
Start indoors: Mar 9 to Mar 23Transplant outside: Apr 13 to Apr 27Sow outdoors: Apr 6 to May 11Plant for fall: Aug 7 to Sep 4
Start indoors: Mar 9 to Mar 23Transplant outside: Apr 6 to Apr 20Sow outdoors: Apr 6 to Apr 20Plant for fall: Jul 24 to Aug 14
Start indoors: Mar 9 to Mar 23Transplant outside: Apr 20 to May 4Plant for fall: Jun 26 to Jul 17
Start indoors: Mar 9 to Mar 23Transplant outside: Apr 13 to Apr 27Plant for fall: Jun 26 to Jul 17
Start indoors: Mar 9 to Mar 23Transplant outside: Apr 20 to May 4Plant for fall: Jun 26 to Jul 17
Start indoors: Mar 23 to Apr 6Transplant outside: May 25 to Jun 8Sow outdoors: May 25 to Jun 8
Start indoors: Mar 23 to Apr 6Transplant outside: May 11 to May 25
Sow outdoors: Mar 23 to Apr 13Plant for fall: Jul 10 to Jul 31
Sow outdoors: Mar 23 to Apr 13Plant for fall: Aug 7 to Aug 28
Sow outdoors: Mar 30 to May 11Plant for fall: Aug 21 to Sep 11
Start indoors: Apr 6 to Apr 13Transplant outside: May 18 to May 25Sow outdoors: May 11 to May 25Plant for fall: Jul 17 to Jul 31
Start indoors: Apr 6 to Apr 13Sow outdoors: May 11 to May 25Plant for fall: Jul 24 to Aug 7
Start indoors: Apr 6 to Apr 13Sow outdoors: May 11 to May 25
Start indoors: Apr 6 to Apr 13Transplant outside: May 18 to Jun 1
Sow outdoors: Apr 13 to May 11Plant for fall: Jul 10 to Jul 24
Sow outdoors: Apr 13 to May 11Plant for fall: Jul 24 to Aug 7
Sow outdoors: Apr 13 to May 4
Sow outdoors: Apr 20 to May 18Plant for fall: Jul 24 to Aug 7
Sow outdoors: Apr 20 to May 11Plant for fall: Aug 7 to Aug 28
Sow outdoors: May 11 to Jun 1Plant for fall: Jul 17 to Jul 31
Sow outdoors: May 11 to May 25
Transplant outside: May 18 to Jun 8
Plant for fall: Sep 18 to Oct 23
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Frederick, SD
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 9 – Feb 23 | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | May 18 – Jun 1 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | May 18 – Jun 1 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | May 11 – May 25 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | Apr 6 – May 11 | Aug 7 – Sep 4 |
| Kale | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | Jul 24 – Aug 14 |
| Broccoli | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | Apr 20 – May 4 | — | Jun 26 – Jul 17 |
| Cabbage | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | — | Jun 26 – Jul 17 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | Apr 20 – May 4 | — | Jun 26 – Jul 17 |
| Okra | Mar 23 – Apr 6 | May 25 – Jun 8 | May 25 – Jun 8 | — |
| Basil | Mar 23 – Apr 6 | May 11 – May 25 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 23 – Apr 13 | Jul 10 – Jul 31 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 23 – Apr 13 | Aug 7 – Aug 28 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 30 – May 11 | Aug 21 – Sep 11 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 6 – Apr 13 | May 18 – May 25 | May 11 – May 25 | Jul 17 – Jul 31 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 6 – Apr 13 | — | May 11 – May 25 | Jul 24 – Aug 7 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 6 – Apr 13 | — | May 11 – May 25 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 6 – Apr 13 | May 18 – Jun 1 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 13 – May 11 | Jul 10 – Jul 24 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 13 – May 11 | Jul 24 – Aug 7 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 13 – May 4 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 20 – May 18 | Jul 24 – Aug 7 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 20 – May 11 | Aug 7 – Aug 28 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 11 – Jun 1 | Jul 17 – Jul 31 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 11 – May 25 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 18 – Jun 8 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 18 – Oct 23 |
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 Ellendale, ND weather station, 18 km away (elevation 1,457 ft (444 m)).
Frost dates near Frederick
- Barnard May 7 · Sep 29
- Westport May 7 · Sep 29
- Hecla May 7 · Sep 29
- Columbia May 7 · Sep 29
- Houghton May 7 · Sep 29
- Leola May 9 · Sep 28
- Aberdeen May 9 · Sep 26
- Claremont May 7 · Sep 29
- Bath May 9 · Sep 26
- Amherst May 13 · Sep 26
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Frederick, SD?
The median last spring frost in Frederick, SD is May 4. 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 Frederick, SD?
The median first fall frost is October 2, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 21.
How long is the growing season in Frederick, SD?
About 151 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Frederick, SD?
Frederick, SD is in USDA hardiness zone 4b.