Lodgepole, SD frost dates
Last spring frostMay 30median date
First fall frostSep 11median date
Growing season104 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone4bZone 4b
How Lodgepole compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Lodgepole falls between May 18 and June 13, a 26-day window. The first fall frost falls between August 28 and September 24.
- The median last frost is 24 days later than the South Dakota median of May 6.
- Its 104-day growing season is among the shortest of the 363 South Dakota places with a regular frost season.
- The last frost is 22 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 214 nights a year at or below 32°F.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | May 18 |
| 50% (median) | May 30 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | June 13 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | August 28 |
| 50% (median) | September 11 |
| 90% (late) | September 24 |
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 Lodgepole, SD
Lodgepole, SD frost dates — last frost May 30, first frost Sep 11, zone 4b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21Transplant outside: May 2 to May 16
Start indoors: Mar 21 to Apr 4Transplant outside: Jun 13 to Jun 27
Start indoors: Mar 21 to Apr 4Transplant outside: Jun 13 to Jun 27
Start indoors: Apr 4 to Apr 18Transplant outside: Jun 6 to Jun 20
Start indoors: Apr 4 to Apr 18Transplant outside: May 9 to May 23Sow outdoors: May 2 to Jun 6Plant for fall: Jul 17 to Aug 14
Start indoors: Apr 4 to Apr 18Transplant outside: May 2 to May 16Sow outdoors: May 2 to May 16Plant for fall: Jul 3 to Jul 24
Start indoors: Apr 4 to Apr 18Transplant outside: May 16 to May 30
Start indoors: Apr 4 to Apr 18Transplant outside: May 9 to May 23
Start indoors: Apr 4 to Apr 18Transplant outside: May 16 to May 30
Start indoors: Apr 18 to May 2Transplant outside: Jun 20 to Jul 4Sow outdoors: Jun 20 to Jul 4
Start indoors: Apr 18 to May 2Transplant outside: Jun 6 to Jun 20
Sow outdoors: Apr 18 to May 9Plant for fall: Jun 19 to Jul 10
Sow outdoors: Apr 18 to May 9Plant for fall: Jul 17 to Aug 7
Sow outdoors: Apr 25 to Jun 6Plant for fall: Jul 31 to Aug 21
Start indoors: May 2 to May 9Transplant outside: Jun 13 to Jun 20Sow outdoors: Jun 6 to Jun 20
Start indoors: May 2 to May 9Sow outdoors: Jun 6 to Jun 20
Start indoors: May 2 to May 9Sow outdoors: Jun 6 to Jun 20
Start indoors: May 2 to May 9Transplant outside: Jun 13 to Jun 27
Sow outdoors: May 9 to Jun 6
Sow outdoors: May 9 to Jun 6Plant for fall: Jul 3 to Jul 17
Sow outdoors: May 9 to May 30
Sow outdoors: May 16 to Jun 13Plant for fall: Jul 3 to Jul 17
Sow outdoors: May 16 to Jun 6Plant for fall: Jul 17 to Aug 7
Sow outdoors: Jun 6 to Jun 27
Sow outdoors: Jun 6 to Jun 20
Transplant outside: Jun 13 to Jul 4
Plant for fall: Aug 28 to Oct 2
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Lodgepole, SD
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | May 2 – May 16 | — | — |
| Peppers | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | Jun 13 – Jun 27 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | Jun 13 – Jun 27 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | Jun 6 – Jun 20 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | May 9 – May 23 | May 2 – Jun 6 | Jul 17 – Aug 14 |
| Kale | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | May 2 – May 16 | May 2 – May 16 | Jul 3 – Jul 24 |
| Broccoli | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | May 16 – May 30 | — | — |
| Cabbage | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | May 9 – May 23 | — | — |
| Cauliflower | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | May 16 – May 30 | — | — |
| Okra | Apr 18 – May 2 | Jun 20 – Jul 4 | Jun 20 – Jul 4 | — |
| Basil | Apr 18 – May 2 | Jun 6 – Jun 20 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Apr 18 – May 9 | Jun 19 – Jul 10 |
| Spinach | — | — | Apr 18 – May 9 | Jul 17 – Aug 7 |
| Radishes | — | — | Apr 25 – Jun 6 | Jul 31 – Aug 21 |
| Cucumbers | May 2 – May 9 | Jun 13 – Jun 20 | Jun 6 – Jun 20 | — |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | May 2 – May 9 | — | Jun 6 – Jun 20 | — |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins Warning: Your frost-free season is about 104 days, which is tight for winter squash & pumpkins (100+ days). Choose early varieties and use transplants or row covers. | May 2 – May 9 | — | Jun 6 – Jun 20 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | May 2 – May 9 | Jun 13 – Jun 27 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | May 9 – Jun 6 | — |
| Beets | — | — | May 9 – Jun 6 | Jul 3 – Jul 17 |
| Potatoes | — | — | May 9 – May 30 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | May 16 – Jun 13 | Jul 3 – Jul 17 |
| Cilantro | — | — | May 16 – Jun 6 | Jul 17 – Aug 7 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Jun 6 – Jun 27 | — |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Jun 6 – Jun 20 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes Warning: Your frost-free season is about 104 days, which is tight for sweet potatoes (100+ days). Choose early varieties and use transplants or row covers. | — | Jun 13 – Jul 4 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Aug 28 – Oct 2 |
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 Lodgepole 5sw, SD weather station, 9 km away (elevation 2,569 ft (783 m)).
Frost dates near Lodgepole
- Ralph May 18 · Sep 23
- Prairie City May 30 · Sep 11
- Bison May 10 · Oct 1
- Reva May 20 · Sep 19
- Lemmon May 10 · Sep 30
- Ludlow May 16 · Sep 26
- Meadow May 10 · Oct 1
- Keldron May 10 · Sep 30
- Buffalo May 10 · Oct 1
- Morristown May 20 · Sep 23
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Lodgepole, SD?
The median last spring frost in Lodgepole, SD is May 30. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after June 13, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Lodgepole, SD?
The median first fall frost is September 11, with about a 10% chance of frost before August 28.
How long is the growing season in Lodgepole, SD?
About 104 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Lodgepole, SD?
Lodgepole, SD is in USDA hardiness zone 4b.