Hot Springs, SD frost dates
Last spring frostMay 16median date
First fall frostSep 27median date
Growing season134 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone5aZone 5a
How Hot Springs compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Hot Springs falls between May 4 and May 31, a 27-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 12 and October 9.
- The median last frost is 10 days later than the South Dakota median of May 6.
- Its 134-day growing season is longer than 5% of the 363 South Dakota places with a regular frost season (state median 149 days).
- The last frost is 13 days later than the zone 5a median of May 3. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 5a chart.
- The weather station records an average of 176 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Rapid City, SD, 74 km away, the last frost here is 13 days later than there and the growing season is 24 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | May 4 |
| 50% (median) | May 16 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 31 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 12 |
| 50% (median) | September 27 |
| 90% (late) | October 9 |
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 Hot Springs, SD
Hot Springs, SD frost dates — last frost May 16, first frost Sep 27, zone 5a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Feb 21 to Mar 7Transplant outside: Apr 18 to May 2
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21Transplant outside: May 30 to Jun 13
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21Transplant outside: May 30 to Jun 13
Start indoors: Mar 21 to Apr 4Transplant outside: May 23 to Jun 6
Start indoors: Mar 21 to Apr 4Transplant outside: Apr 25 to May 9Sow outdoors: Apr 18 to May 23Plant for fall: Aug 2 to Aug 30
Start indoors: Mar 21 to Apr 4Transplant outside: Apr 18 to May 2Sow outdoors: Apr 18 to May 2Plant for fall: Jul 19 to Aug 9
Start indoors: Mar 21 to Apr 4Transplant outside: May 2 to May 16Plant for fall: Jun 21 to Jul 12
Start indoors: Mar 21 to Apr 4Transplant outside: Apr 25 to May 9Plant for fall: Jun 21 to Jul 12
Start indoors: Mar 21 to Apr 4Transplant outside: May 2 to May 16Plant for fall: Jun 21 to Jul 12
Start indoors: Apr 4 to Apr 18Transplant outside: Jun 6 to Jun 20Sow outdoors: Jun 6 to Jun 20
Start indoors: Apr 4 to Apr 18Transplant outside: May 23 to Jun 6
Sow outdoors: Apr 4 to Apr 25Plant for fall: Jul 5 to Jul 26
Sow outdoors: Apr 4 to Apr 25Plant for fall: Aug 2 to Aug 23
Sow outdoors: Apr 11 to May 23Plant for fall: Aug 16 to Sep 6
Start indoors: Apr 18 to Apr 25Transplant outside: May 30 to Jun 6Sow outdoors: May 23 to Jun 6Plant for fall: Jul 12 to Jul 26
Start indoors: Apr 18 to Apr 25Sow outdoors: May 23 to Jun 6Plant for fall: Jul 19 to Aug 2
Start indoors: Apr 18 to Apr 25Sow outdoors: May 23 to Jun 6
Start indoors: Apr 18 to Apr 25Transplant outside: May 30 to Jun 13
Sow outdoors: Apr 25 to May 23Plant for fall: Jul 5 to Jul 19
Sow outdoors: Apr 25 to May 23Plant for fall: Jul 19 to Aug 2
Sow outdoors: Apr 25 to May 16
Sow outdoors: May 2 to May 30Plant for fall: Jul 19 to Aug 2
Sow outdoors: May 2 to May 23Plant for fall: Aug 2 to Aug 23
Sow outdoors: May 23 to Jun 13Plant for fall: Jul 12 to Jul 26
Sow outdoors: May 23 to Jun 6
Transplant outside: May 30 to Jun 20
Plant for fall: Sep 13 to Oct 18
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Hot Springs, SD
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | Apr 18 – May 2 | — | — |
| Peppers | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | May 30 – Jun 13 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | May 30 – Jun 13 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | May 23 – Jun 6 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | Apr 25 – May 9 | Apr 18 – May 23 | Aug 2 – Aug 30 |
| Kale | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | Apr 18 – May 2 | Apr 18 – May 2 | Jul 19 – Aug 9 |
| Broccoli | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | May 2 – May 16 | — | Jun 21 – Jul 12 |
| Cabbage | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | Apr 25 – May 9 | — | Jun 21 – Jul 12 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | May 2 – May 16 | — | Jun 21 – Jul 12 |
| Okra | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | Jun 6 – Jun 20 | Jun 6 – Jun 20 | — |
| Basil | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | May 23 – Jun 6 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Apr 4 – Apr 25 | Jul 5 – Jul 26 |
| Spinach | — | — | Apr 4 – Apr 25 | Aug 2 – Aug 23 |
| Radishes | — | — | Apr 11 – May 23 | Aug 16 – Sep 6 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 18 – Apr 25 | May 30 – Jun 6 | May 23 – Jun 6 | Jul 12 – Jul 26 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 18 – Apr 25 | — | May 23 – Jun 6 | Jul 19 – Aug 2 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 18 – Apr 25 | — | May 23 – Jun 6 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 18 – Apr 25 | May 30 – Jun 13 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 25 – May 23 | Jul 5 – Jul 19 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 25 – May 23 | Jul 19 – Aug 2 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 25 – May 16 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | May 2 – May 30 | Jul 19 – Aug 2 |
| Cilantro | — | — | May 2 – May 23 | Aug 2 – Aug 23 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 23 – Jun 13 | Jul 12 – Jul 26 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 23 – Jun 6 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 30 – Jun 20 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 13 – Oct 18 |
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 Hot Springs, SD weather station, 2 km away (elevation 3,560 ft (1,085 m)).
Frost dates near Hot Springs
- Buffalo Gap May 15 · Sep 27
- Pringle May 15 · Sep 29
- Oral May 15 · Sep 27
- Smithwick May 15 · Sep 27
- Custer May 15 · Sep 29
- Edgemont May 23 · Sep 20
- Fairburn May 15 · Sep 29
- Oelrichs May 15 · Sep 30
- Hermosa May 15 · Oct 1
- Keystone May 15 · Oct 1
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Hot Springs, SD?
The median last spring frost in Hot Springs, SD is May 16. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 31, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Hot Springs, SD?
The median first fall frost is September 27, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 12.
How long is the growing season in Hot Springs, SD?
About 134 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Hot Springs, SD?
Hot Springs, SD is in USDA hardiness zone 5a.