Lead, SD frost dates
Last spring frostMay 18median date
First fall frostSep 29median date
Growing season134 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone5aZone 5a
How Lead compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Lead falls between May 5 and June 1, a 27-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 15 and October 13.
- The median last frost is 12 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 15 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 167 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Rapid City, SD, 53 km away, the last frost here is 15 days later than there and the growing season is 24 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | May 5 |
| 50% (median) | May 18 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | June 1 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 15 |
| 50% (median) | September 29 |
| 90% (late) | October 13 |
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 Lead, SD
Lead, SD frost dates — last frost May 18, first frost Sep 29, zone 5a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Feb 23 to Mar 9Transplant outside: Apr 20 to May 4
Start indoors: Mar 9 to Mar 23Transplant outside: Jun 1 to Jun 15
Start indoors: Mar 9 to Mar 23Transplant outside: Jun 1 to Jun 15
Start indoors: Mar 23 to Apr 6Transplant outside: May 25 to Jun 8
Start indoors: Mar 23 to Apr 6Transplant outside: Apr 27 to May 11Sow outdoors: Apr 20 to May 25Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Sep 1
Start indoors: Mar 23 to Apr 6Transplant outside: Apr 20 to May 4Sow outdoors: Apr 20 to May 4Plant for fall: Jul 21 to Aug 11
Start indoors: Mar 23 to Apr 6Transplant outside: May 4 to May 18Plant for fall: Jun 23 to Jul 14
Start indoors: Mar 23 to Apr 6Transplant outside: Apr 27 to May 11Plant for fall: Jun 23 to Jul 14
Start indoors: Mar 23 to Apr 6Transplant outside: May 4 to May 18Plant for fall: Jun 23 to Jul 14
Start indoors: Apr 6 to Apr 20Transplant outside: Jun 8 to Jun 22Sow outdoors: Jun 8 to Jun 22
Start indoors: Apr 6 to Apr 20Transplant outside: May 25 to Jun 8
Sow outdoors: Apr 6 to Apr 27Plant for fall: Jul 7 to Jul 28
Sow outdoors: Apr 6 to Apr 27Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Aug 25
Sow outdoors: Apr 13 to May 25Plant for fall: Aug 18 to Sep 8
Start indoors: Apr 20 to Apr 27Transplant outside: Jun 1 to Jun 8Sow outdoors: May 25 to Jun 8Plant for fall: Jul 14 to Jul 28
Start indoors: Apr 20 to Apr 27Sow outdoors: May 25 to Jun 8Plant for fall: Jul 21 to Aug 4
Start indoors: Apr 20 to Apr 27Sow outdoors: May 25 to Jun 8
Start indoors: Apr 20 to Apr 27Transplant outside: Jun 1 to Jun 15
Sow outdoors: Apr 27 to May 25Plant for fall: Jul 7 to Jul 21
Sow outdoors: Apr 27 to May 25Plant for fall: Jul 21 to Aug 4
Sow outdoors: Apr 27 to May 18
Sow outdoors: May 4 to Jun 1Plant for fall: Jul 21 to Aug 4
Sow outdoors: May 4 to May 25Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Aug 25
Sow outdoors: May 25 to Jun 15Plant for fall: Jul 14 to Jul 28
Sow outdoors: May 25 to Jun 8
Transplant outside: Jun 1 to Jun 22
Plant for fall: Sep 15 to Oct 20
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Lead, SD
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | Apr 20 – May 4 | — | — |
| Peppers | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | Jun 1 – Jun 15 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | Jun 1 – Jun 15 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 23 – Apr 6 | May 25 – Jun 8 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 23 – Apr 6 | Apr 27 – May 11 | Apr 20 – May 25 | Aug 4 – Sep 1 |
| Kale | Mar 23 – Apr 6 | Apr 20 – May 4 | Apr 20 – May 4 | Jul 21 – Aug 11 |
| Broccoli | Mar 23 – Apr 6 | May 4 – May 18 | — | Jun 23 – Jul 14 |
| Cabbage | Mar 23 – Apr 6 | Apr 27 – May 11 | — | Jun 23 – Jul 14 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 23 – Apr 6 | May 4 – May 18 | — | Jun 23 – Jul 14 |
| Okra | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | Jun 8 – Jun 22 | Jun 8 – Jun 22 | — |
| Basil | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | May 25 – Jun 8 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Apr 6 – Apr 27 | Jul 7 – Jul 28 |
| Spinach | — | — | Apr 6 – Apr 27 | Aug 4 – Aug 25 |
| Radishes | — | — | Apr 13 – May 25 | Aug 18 – Sep 8 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 20 – Apr 27 | Jun 1 – Jun 8 | May 25 – Jun 8 | Jul 14 – Jul 28 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 20 – Apr 27 | — | May 25 – Jun 8 | Jul 21 – Aug 4 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 20 – Apr 27 | — | May 25 – Jun 8 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 20 – Apr 27 | Jun 1 – Jun 15 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 27 – May 25 | Jul 7 – Jul 21 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 27 – May 25 | Jul 21 – Aug 4 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 27 – May 18 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | May 4 – Jun 1 | Jul 21 – Aug 4 |
| Cilantro | — | — | May 4 – May 25 | Aug 4 – Aug 25 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 25 – Jun 15 | Jul 14 – Jul 28 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 25 – Jun 8 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Jun 1 – Jun 22 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 15 – Oct 20 |
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 Lead, SD weather station, 14 km away (elevation 5,112 ft (1,558 m)).
Frost dates near Lead
- Deadwood May 24 · Sep 25
- Spearfish May 12 · Oct 2
- Nemo May 20 · Sep 25
- Whitewood May 24 · Sep 25
- Saint Onge May 12 · Oct 2
- Fort Meade May 8 · Oct 3
- Piedmont May 10 · Oct 5
- Sturgis May 8 · Oct 3
- Hill City Jun 1 · Sep 10
- Black Hawk May 10 · Oct 5
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Lead, SD?
The median last spring frost in Lead, SD is May 18. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after June 1, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Lead, SD?
The median first fall frost is September 29, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 15.
How long is the growing season in Lead, SD?
About 134 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Lead, SD?
Lead, SD is in USDA hardiness zone 5a.