Mitchell, SD frost dates
Last spring frostMay 2median date
First fall frostOct 6median date
Growing season157 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone5aZone 5a
How Mitchell compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Mitchell falls between April 19 and May 15, a 26-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 23 and October 19.
- The median last frost is 4 days earlier than the South Dakota median of May 6.
- Its 157-day growing season is longer than 82% of the 363 South Dakota places with a regular frost season (state median 149 days).
- The last frost is typical for zone 5a, where the median is May 3.
- The weather station records an average of 168 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Sioux Falls, SD, 104 km away, the last frost here is 6 days later than there and the growing season is 13 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 19 |
| 50% (median) | May 2 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 15 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 23 |
| 50% (median) | October 6 |
| 90% (late) | October 19 |
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 Mitchell, SD
Mitchell, SD frost dates — last frost May 2, first frost Oct 6, zone 5a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Feb 7 to Feb 21Transplant outside: Apr 4 to Apr 18
Start indoors: Feb 21 to Mar 7Transplant outside: May 16 to May 30
Start indoors: Feb 21 to Mar 7Transplant outside: May 16 to May 30
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21Transplant outside: May 9 to May 23
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21Transplant outside: Apr 11 to Apr 25Sow outdoors: Apr 4 to May 9Plant for fall: Aug 11 to Sep 8
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21Transplant outside: Apr 4 to Apr 18Sow outdoors: Apr 4 to Apr 18Plant for fall: Jul 28 to Aug 18
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21Transplant outside: Apr 18 to May 2Plant for fall: Jun 30 to Jul 21
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21Transplant outside: Apr 11 to Apr 25Plant for fall: Jun 30 to Jul 21
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21Transplant outside: Apr 18 to May 2Plant for fall: Jun 30 to Jul 21
Start indoors: Mar 21 to Apr 4Transplant outside: May 23 to Jun 6Sow outdoors: May 23 to Jun 6
Start indoors: Mar 21 to Apr 4Transplant outside: May 9 to May 23
Sow outdoors: Mar 21 to Apr 11Plant for fall: Jul 14 to Aug 4
Sow outdoors: Mar 21 to Apr 11Plant for fall: Aug 11 to Sep 1
Sow outdoors: Mar 28 to May 9Plant for fall: Aug 25 to Sep 15
Start indoors: Apr 4 to Apr 11Transplant outside: May 16 to May 23Sow outdoors: May 9 to May 23Plant for fall: Jul 21 to Aug 4
Start indoors: Apr 4 to Apr 11Sow outdoors: May 9 to May 23Plant for fall: Jul 28 to Aug 11
Start indoors: Apr 4 to Apr 11Sow outdoors: May 9 to May 23
Start indoors: Apr 4 to Apr 11Transplant outside: May 16 to May 30
Sow outdoors: Apr 11 to May 9Plant for fall: Jul 14 to Jul 28
Sow outdoors: Apr 11 to May 9Plant for fall: Jul 28 to Aug 11
Sow outdoors: Apr 11 to May 2
Sow outdoors: Apr 18 to May 16Plant for fall: Jul 28 to Aug 11
Sow outdoors: Apr 18 to May 9Plant for fall: Aug 11 to Sep 1
Sow outdoors: May 9 to May 30Plant for fall: Jul 21 to Aug 4
Sow outdoors: May 9 to May 23
Transplant outside: May 16 to Jun 6
Plant for fall: Sep 22 to Oct 27
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Mitchell, SD
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | May 16 – May 30 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | May 16 – May 30 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | May 9 – May 23 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | Apr 4 – May 9 | Aug 11 – Sep 8 |
| Kale | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | Jul 28 – Aug 18 |
| Broccoli | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | Apr 18 – May 2 | — | Jun 30 – Jul 21 |
| Cabbage | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | — | Jun 30 – Jul 21 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | Apr 18 – May 2 | — | Jun 30 – Jul 21 |
| Okra | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | May 23 – Jun 6 | May 23 – Jun 6 | — |
| Basil | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | May 9 – May 23 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 21 – Apr 11 | Jul 14 – Aug 4 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 21 – Apr 11 | Aug 11 – Sep 1 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 28 – May 9 | Aug 25 – Sep 15 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 4 – Apr 11 | May 16 – May 23 | May 9 – May 23 | Jul 21 – Aug 4 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 4 – Apr 11 | — | May 9 – May 23 | Jul 28 – Aug 11 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 4 – Apr 11 | — | May 9 – May 23 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 4 – Apr 11 | May 16 – May 30 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 11 – May 9 | Jul 14 – Jul 28 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 11 – May 9 | Jul 28 – Aug 11 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 11 – May 2 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 18 – May 16 | Jul 28 – Aug 11 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 18 – May 9 | Aug 11 – Sep 1 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 9 – May 30 | Jul 21 – Aug 4 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 9 – May 23 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 16 – Jun 6 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 22 – Oct 27 |
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 Mitchell 2 N, SD weather station, 3 km away (elevation 1,250 ft (381 m)).
Frost dates near Mitchell
- Fulton May 2 · Oct 6
- Ethan May 8 · Sep 29
- Mount Vernon Apr 27 · Oct 11
- Alexandria May 8 · Sep 29
- Letcher Apr 27 · Oct 11
- Dimock May 8 · Sep 29
- Emery Apr 30 · Oct 7
- Artesian May 9 · Sep 28
- Parkston May 8 · Sep 29
- Plankinton May 3 · Oct 5
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Mitchell, SD?
The median last spring frost in Mitchell, SD is May 2. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 15, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Mitchell, SD?
The median first fall frost is October 6, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 23.
How long is the growing season in Mitchell, SD?
About 157 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Mitchell, SD?
Mitchell, SD is in USDA hardiness zone 5a.