Hill City, SD frost dates
Last spring frostJun 1median date
First fall frostSep 10median date
Growing season101 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone4bZone 4b
How Hill City compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Hill City falls between May 18 and June 19, a 32-day window. The first fall frost falls between August 29 and September 26.
- The median last frost is 26 days later than the South Dakota median of May 6.
- Its 101-day growing season is among the shortest of the 363 South Dakota places with a regular frost season.
- The last frost is 24 days later 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 212 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Rapid City, SD, 29 km away, the last frost here is 29 days later than there and the growing season is 57 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | May 18 |
| 50% (median) | June 1 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | June 19 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | August 29 |
| 50% (median) | September 10 |
| 90% (late) | September 26 |
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 Hill City, SD
Hill City, SD frost dates — last frost Jun 1, first frost Sep 10, zone 4b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Mar 9 to Mar 23Transplant outside: May 4 to May 18
Start indoors: Mar 23 to Apr 6Transplant outside: Jun 15 to Jun 29
Start indoors: Mar 23 to Apr 6Transplant outside: Jun 15 to Jun 29
Start indoors: Apr 6 to Apr 20Transplant outside: Jun 8 to Jun 22
Start indoors: Apr 6 to Apr 20Transplant outside: May 11 to May 25Sow outdoors: May 4 to Jun 8Plant for fall: Jul 16 to Aug 13
Start indoors: Apr 6 to Apr 20Transplant outside: May 4 to May 18Sow outdoors: May 4 to May 18Plant for fall: Jul 2 to Jul 23
Start indoors: Apr 6 to Apr 20Transplant outside: May 18 to Jun 1
Start indoors: Apr 6 to Apr 20Transplant outside: May 11 to May 25
Start indoors: Apr 6 to Apr 20Transplant outside: May 18 to Jun 1
Start indoors: Apr 20 to May 4Transplant outside: Jun 22 to Jul 6Sow outdoors: Jun 22 to Jul 6
Start indoors: Apr 20 to May 4Transplant outside: Jun 8 to Jun 22
Sow outdoors: Apr 20 to May 11Plant for fall: Jun 18 to Jul 9
Sow outdoors: Apr 20 to May 11Plant for fall: Jul 16 to Aug 6
Sow outdoors: Apr 27 to Jun 8Plant for fall: Jul 30 to Aug 20
Start indoors: May 4 to May 11Transplant outside: Jun 15 to Jun 22Sow outdoors: Jun 8 to Jun 22
Start indoors: May 4 to May 11Sow outdoors: Jun 8 to Jun 22
Start indoors: May 4 to May 11Sow outdoors: Jun 8 to Jun 22
Start indoors: May 4 to May 11Transplant outside: Jun 15 to Jun 29
Sow outdoors: May 11 to Jun 8
Sow outdoors: May 11 to Jun 8Plant for fall: Jul 2 to Jul 16
Sow outdoors: May 11 to Jun 1
Sow outdoors: May 18 to Jun 15Plant for fall: Jul 2 to Jul 16
Sow outdoors: May 18 to Jun 8Plant for fall: Jul 16 to Aug 6
Sow outdoors: Jun 8 to Jun 29
Sow outdoors: Jun 8 to Jun 22
Transplant outside: Jun 15 to Jul 6
Plant for fall: Aug 27 to Oct 1
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Hill City, SD
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | May 4 – May 18 | — | — |
| Peppers | Mar 23 – Apr 6 | Jun 15 – Jun 29 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Mar 23 – Apr 6 | Jun 15 – Jun 29 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | Jun 8 – Jun 22 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | May 11 – May 25 | May 4 – Jun 8 | Jul 16 – Aug 13 |
| Kale | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | May 4 – May 18 | May 4 – May 18 | Jul 2 – Jul 23 |
| Broccoli | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | May 18 – Jun 1 | — | — |
| Cabbage | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | May 11 – May 25 | — | — |
| Cauliflower | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | May 18 – Jun 1 | — | — |
| Okra | Apr 20 – May 4 | Jun 22 – Jul 6 | Jun 22 – Jul 6 | — |
| Basil | Apr 20 – May 4 | Jun 8 – Jun 22 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Apr 20 – May 11 | Jun 18 – Jul 9 |
| Spinach | — | — | Apr 20 – May 11 | Jul 16 – Aug 6 |
| Radishes | — | — | Apr 27 – Jun 8 | Jul 30 – Aug 20 |
| Cucumbers | May 4 – May 11 | Jun 15 – Jun 22 | Jun 8 – Jun 22 | — |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | May 4 – May 11 | — | Jun 8 – Jun 22 | — |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins Warning: Your frost-free season is about 101 days, which is tight for winter squash & pumpkins (100+ days). Choose early varieties and use transplants or row covers. | May 4 – May 11 | — | Jun 8 – Jun 22 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | May 4 – May 11 | Jun 15 – Jun 29 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | May 11 – Jun 8 | — |
| Beets | — | — | May 11 – Jun 8 | Jul 2 – Jul 16 |
| Potatoes | — | — | May 11 – Jun 1 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | May 18 – Jun 15 | Jul 2 – Jul 16 |
| Cilantro | — | — | May 18 – Jun 8 | Jul 16 – Aug 6 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Jun 8 – Jun 29 | — |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Jun 8 – Jun 22 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes Warning: Your frost-free season is about 101 days, which is tight for sweet potatoes (100+ days). Choose early varieties and use transplants or row covers. | — | Jun 15 – Jul 6 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Aug 27 – Oct 1 |
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 Hill City, SD weather station, 2 km away (elevation 4,948 ft (1,508 m)).
Frost dates near Hill City
- Keystone May 15 · Oct 1
- Rapid City May 3 · Oct 8
- Black Hawk May 10 · Oct 5
- Nemo May 20 · Sep 25
- Hermosa May 15 · Oct 1
- Custer May 15 · Sep 29
- Piedmont May 10 · Oct 5
- Pringle May 15 · Sep 29
- Fairburn May 15 · Sep 29
- Lead May 18 · Sep 29
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Hill City, SD?
The median last spring frost in Hill City, SD is June 1. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after June 19, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Hill City, SD?
The median first fall frost is September 10, with about a 10% chance of frost before August 29.
How long is the growing season in Hill City, SD?
About 101 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Hill City, SD?
Hill City, SD is in USDA hardiness zone 4b.