Scenic, SD frost dates
Last spring frostMay 10median date
First fall frostOct 1median date
Growing season144 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone5aZone 5a
How Scenic compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Scenic falls between April 30 and May 25, a 25-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 14 and October 13.
- The median last frost is 4 days later than the South Dakota median of May 6.
- Its 144-day growing season is longer than 25% of the 363 South Dakota places with a regular frost season (state median 149 days).
- The last frost is 7 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 175 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Rapid City, SD, 66 km away, the last frost here is 7 days later than there and the growing season is 14 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 30 |
| 50% (median) | May 10 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 25 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 14 |
| 50% (median) | October 1 |
| 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 Scenic, SD
Scenic, SD frost dates — last frost May 10, first frost Oct 1, zone 5a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Feb 15 to Mar 1Transplant outside: Apr 12 to Apr 26
Start indoors: Mar 1 to Mar 15Transplant outside: May 24 to Jun 7
Start indoors: Mar 1 to Mar 15Transplant outside: May 24 to Jun 7
Start indoors: Mar 15 to Mar 29Transplant outside: May 17 to May 31
Start indoors: Mar 15 to Mar 29Transplant outside: Apr 19 to May 3Sow outdoors: Apr 12 to May 17Plant for fall: Aug 6 to Sep 3
Start indoors: Mar 15 to Mar 29Transplant outside: Apr 12 to Apr 26Sow outdoors: Apr 12 to Apr 26Plant for fall: Jul 23 to Aug 13
Start indoors: Mar 15 to Mar 29Transplant outside: Apr 26 to May 10Plant for fall: Jun 25 to Jul 16
Start indoors: Mar 15 to Mar 29Transplant outside: Apr 19 to May 3Plant for fall: Jun 25 to Jul 16
Start indoors: Mar 15 to Mar 29Transplant outside: Apr 26 to May 10Plant for fall: Jun 25 to Jul 16
Start indoors: Mar 29 to Apr 12Transplant outside: May 31 to Jun 14Sow outdoors: May 31 to Jun 14
Start indoors: Mar 29 to Apr 12Transplant outside: May 17 to May 31
Sow outdoors: Mar 29 to Apr 19Plant for fall: Jul 9 to Jul 30
Sow outdoors: Mar 29 to Apr 19Plant for fall: Aug 6 to Aug 27
Sow outdoors: Apr 5 to May 17Plant for fall: Aug 20 to Sep 10
Start indoors: Apr 12 to Apr 19Transplant outside: May 24 to May 31Sow outdoors: May 17 to May 31Plant for fall: Jul 16 to Jul 30
Start indoors: Apr 12 to Apr 19Sow outdoors: May 17 to May 31Plant for fall: Jul 23 to Aug 6
Start indoors: Apr 12 to Apr 19Sow outdoors: May 17 to May 31
Start indoors: Apr 12 to Apr 19Transplant outside: May 24 to Jun 7
Sow outdoors: Apr 19 to May 17Plant for fall: Jul 9 to Jul 23
Sow outdoors: Apr 19 to May 17Plant for fall: Jul 23 to Aug 6
Sow outdoors: Apr 19 to May 10
Sow outdoors: Apr 26 to May 24Plant for fall: Jul 23 to Aug 6
Sow outdoors: Apr 26 to May 17Plant for fall: Aug 6 to Aug 27
Sow outdoors: May 17 to Jun 7Plant for fall: Jul 16 to Jul 30
Sow outdoors: May 17 to May 31
Transplant outside: May 24 to Jun 14
Plant for fall: Sep 17 to Oct 22
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Scenic, SD
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | — | — |
| Peppers | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | May 24 – Jun 7 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | May 24 – Jun 7 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | May 17 – May 31 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | Apr 19 – May 3 | Apr 12 – May 17 | Aug 6 – Sep 3 |
| Kale | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | Jul 23 – Aug 13 |
| Broccoli | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | Apr 26 – May 10 | — | Jun 25 – Jul 16 |
| Cabbage | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | Apr 19 – May 3 | — | Jun 25 – Jul 16 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | Apr 26 – May 10 | — | Jun 25 – Jul 16 |
| Okra | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | May 31 – Jun 14 | May 31 – Jun 14 | — |
| Basil | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | May 17 – May 31 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 29 – Apr 19 | Jul 9 – Jul 30 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 29 – Apr 19 | Aug 6 – Aug 27 |
| Radishes | — | — | Apr 5 – May 17 | Aug 20 – Sep 10 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 12 – Apr 19 | May 24 – May 31 | May 17 – May 31 | Jul 16 – Jul 30 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 12 – Apr 19 | — | May 17 – May 31 | Jul 23 – Aug 6 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 12 – Apr 19 | — | May 17 – May 31 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 12 – Apr 19 | May 24 – Jun 7 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 19 – May 17 | Jul 9 – Jul 23 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 19 – May 17 | Jul 23 – Aug 6 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 19 – May 10 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 26 – May 24 | Jul 23 – Aug 6 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 26 – May 17 | Aug 6 – Aug 27 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 17 – Jun 7 | Jul 16 – Jul 30 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 17 – May 31 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 24 – Jun 14 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 17 – Oct 22 |
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 Wasta, SD weather station, 31 km away (elevation 2,329 ft (710 m)).
Frost dates near Scenic
- Caputa May 12 · Oct 1
- Owanka May 10 · Oct 1
- Wall May 10 · Oct 1
- New Underwood May 12 · Oct 1
- Interior May 5 · Oct 7
- Wasta May 8 · Oct 3
- Kyle May 11 · Oct 1
- Quinn May 16 · Sep 26
- Hermosa May 15 · Oct 1
- Box Elder May 12 · Oct 1
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Scenic, SD?
The median last spring frost in Scenic, SD is May 10. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 25, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Scenic, SD?
The median first fall frost is October 1, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 14.
How long is the growing season in Scenic, SD?
About 144 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Scenic, SD?
Scenic, SD is in USDA hardiness zone 5a.