Pierre, SD frost dates
Last spring frostMay 6median date
First fall frostOct 3median date
Growing season150 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone4bZone 4b
How Pierre compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Pierre falls between April 24 and May 21, a 27-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 20 and October 17.
- The median last frost is the same as the South Dakota median of May 6.
- Its 150-day growing season is longer than 52% of the 363 South Dakota places with a regular frost season (state median 149 days).
- The last frost is typical for zone 4b, where the median is May 8.
- The weather station records an average of 164 nights a year at or below 32°F.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 24 |
| 50% (median) | May 6 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 21 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 20 |
| 50% (median) | October 3 |
| 90% (late) | October 17 |
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 Pierre, SD
Pierre, SD frost dates — last frost May 6, first frost Oct 3, zone 4b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Feb 11 to Feb 25Transplant outside: Apr 8 to Apr 22
Start indoors: Feb 25 to Mar 11Transplant outside: May 20 to Jun 3
Start indoors: Feb 25 to Mar 11Transplant outside: May 20 to Jun 3
Start indoors: Mar 11 to Mar 25Transplant outside: May 13 to May 27
Start indoors: Mar 11 to Mar 25Transplant outside: Apr 15 to Apr 29Sow outdoors: Apr 8 to May 13Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Sep 5
Start indoors: Mar 11 to Mar 25Transplant outside: Apr 8 to Apr 22Sow outdoors: Apr 8 to Apr 22Plant for fall: Jul 25 to Aug 15
Start indoors: Mar 11 to Mar 25Transplant outside: Apr 22 to May 6Plant for fall: Jun 27 to Jul 18
Start indoors: Mar 11 to Mar 25Transplant outside: Apr 15 to Apr 29Plant for fall: Jun 27 to Jul 18
Start indoors: Mar 11 to Mar 25Transplant outside: Apr 22 to May 6Plant for fall: Jun 27 to Jul 18
Start indoors: Mar 25 to Apr 8Transplant outside: May 27 to Jun 10Sow outdoors: May 27 to Jun 10
Start indoors: Mar 25 to Apr 8Transplant outside: May 13 to May 27
Sow outdoors: Mar 25 to Apr 15Plant for fall: Jul 11 to Aug 1
Sow outdoors: Mar 25 to Apr 15Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Aug 29
Sow outdoors: Apr 1 to May 13Plant for fall: Aug 22 to Sep 12
Start indoors: Apr 8 to Apr 15Transplant outside: May 20 to May 27Sow outdoors: May 13 to May 27Plant for fall: Jul 18 to Aug 1
Start indoors: Apr 8 to Apr 15Sow outdoors: May 13 to May 27Plant for fall: Jul 25 to Aug 8
Start indoors: Apr 8 to Apr 15Sow outdoors: May 13 to May 27
Start indoors: Apr 8 to Apr 15Transplant outside: May 20 to Jun 3
Sow outdoors: Apr 15 to May 13Plant for fall: Jul 11 to Jul 25
Sow outdoors: Apr 15 to May 13Plant for fall: Jul 25 to Aug 8
Sow outdoors: Apr 15 to May 6
Sow outdoors: Apr 22 to May 20Plant for fall: Jul 25 to Aug 8
Sow outdoors: Apr 22 to May 13Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Aug 29
Sow outdoors: May 13 to Jun 3Plant for fall: Jul 18 to Aug 1
Sow outdoors: May 13 to May 27
Transplant outside: May 20 to Jun 10
Plant for fall: Sep 19 to Oct 24
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Pierre, SD
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | May 20 – Jun 3 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | May 20 – Jun 3 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | May 13 – May 27 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | Apr 15 – Apr 29 | Apr 8 – May 13 | Aug 8 – Sep 5 |
| Kale | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | Jul 25 – Aug 15 |
| Broccoli | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | Apr 22 – May 6 | — | Jun 27 – Jul 18 |
| Cabbage | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | Apr 15 – Apr 29 | — | Jun 27 – Jul 18 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | Apr 22 – May 6 | — | Jun 27 – Jul 18 |
| Okra | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | May 27 – Jun 10 | May 27 – Jun 10 | — |
| Basil | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | May 13 – May 27 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 25 – Apr 15 | Jul 11 – Aug 1 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 25 – Apr 15 | Aug 8 – Aug 29 |
| Radishes | — | — | Apr 1 – May 13 | Aug 22 – Sep 12 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 8 – Apr 15 | May 20 – May 27 | May 13 – May 27 | Jul 18 – Aug 1 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 8 – Apr 15 | — | May 13 – May 27 | Jul 25 – Aug 8 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 8 – Apr 15 | — | May 13 – May 27 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 8 – Apr 15 | May 20 – Jun 3 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 15 – May 13 | Jul 11 – Jul 25 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 15 – May 13 | Jul 25 – Aug 8 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 15 – May 6 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 22 – May 20 | Jul 25 – Aug 8 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 22 – May 13 | Aug 8 – Aug 29 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 13 – Jun 3 | Jul 18 – Aug 1 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 13 – May 27 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 20 – Jun 10 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 19 – Oct 24 |
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 Pierre Rgnl Ap, SD weather station, 3 km away (elevation 1,742 ft (531 m)).
Frost dates near Pierre
- Fort Pierre May 6 · Oct 3
- Blunt May 17 · Sep 24
- Onida May 8 · Oct 2
- Vivian May 6 · Oct 7
- Harrold May 17 · Sep 24
- Draper May 6 · Oct 7
- Hayes May 10 · Sep 27
- Agar May 8 · Oct 2
- Presho May 12 · Sep 29
- Holabird May 12 · Oct 1
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Pierre, SD?
The median last spring frost in Pierre, SD is May 6. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 21, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Pierre, SD?
The median first fall frost is October 3, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 20.
How long is the growing season in Pierre, SD?
About 150 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Pierre, SD?
Pierre, SD is in USDA hardiness zone 4b.