Spencer, SD frost dates
Last spring frostMay 8median date
First fall frostSep 29median date
Growing season144 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone5aZone 5a
How Spencer compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Spencer falls between April 27 and May 21, a 24-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 17 and October 11.
- The median last frost is 2 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 5 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 159 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Sioux Falls, SD, 70 km away, the last frost here is 12 days later than there and the growing season is 26 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 27 |
| 50% (median) | May 8 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 21 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 17 |
| 50% (median) | September 29 |
| 90% (late) | October 11 |
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 Spencer, SD
Spencer, SD frost dates — last frost May 8, first frost Sep 29, zone 5a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Feb 13 to Feb 27Transplant outside: Apr 10 to Apr 24
Start indoors: Feb 27 to Mar 13Transplant outside: May 22 to Jun 5
Start indoors: Feb 27 to Mar 13Transplant outside: May 22 to Jun 5
Start indoors: Mar 13 to Mar 27Transplant outside: May 15 to May 29
Start indoors: Mar 13 to Mar 27Transplant outside: Apr 17 to May 1Sow outdoors: Apr 10 to May 15Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Sep 1
Start indoors: Mar 13 to Mar 27Transplant outside: Apr 10 to Apr 24Sow outdoors: Apr 10 to Apr 24Plant for fall: Jul 21 to Aug 11
Start indoors: Mar 13 to Mar 27Transplant outside: Apr 24 to May 8Plant for fall: Jun 23 to Jul 14
Start indoors: Mar 13 to Mar 27Transplant outside: Apr 17 to May 1Plant for fall: Jun 23 to Jul 14
Start indoors: Mar 13 to Mar 27Transplant outside: Apr 24 to May 8Plant for fall: Jun 23 to Jul 14
Start indoors: Mar 27 to Apr 10Transplant outside: May 29 to Jun 12Sow outdoors: May 29 to Jun 12
Start indoors: Mar 27 to Apr 10Transplant outside: May 15 to May 29
Sow outdoors: Mar 27 to Apr 17Plant for fall: Jul 7 to Jul 28
Sow outdoors: Mar 27 to Apr 17Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Aug 25
Sow outdoors: Apr 3 to May 15Plant for fall: Aug 18 to Sep 8
Start indoors: Apr 10 to Apr 17Transplant outside: May 22 to May 29Sow outdoors: May 15 to May 29Plant for fall: Jul 14 to Jul 28
Start indoors: Apr 10 to Apr 17Sow outdoors: May 15 to May 29Plant for fall: Jul 21 to Aug 4
Start indoors: Apr 10 to Apr 17Sow outdoors: May 15 to May 29
Start indoors: Apr 10 to Apr 17Transplant outside: May 22 to Jun 5
Sow outdoors: Apr 17 to May 15Plant for fall: Jul 7 to Jul 21
Sow outdoors: Apr 17 to May 15Plant for fall: Jul 21 to Aug 4
Sow outdoors: Apr 17 to May 8
Sow outdoors: Apr 24 to May 22Plant for fall: Jul 21 to Aug 4
Sow outdoors: Apr 24 to May 15Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Aug 25
Sow outdoors: May 15 to Jun 5Plant for fall: Jul 14 to Jul 28
Sow outdoors: May 15 to May 29
Transplant outside: May 22 to Jun 12
Plant for fall: Sep 15 to Oct 20
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Spencer, SD
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 13 – Feb 27 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | May 22 – Jun 5 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | May 22 – Jun 5 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | May 15 – May 29 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | Apr 17 – May 1 | Apr 10 – May 15 | Aug 4 – Sep 1 |
| Kale | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | Jul 21 – Aug 11 |
| Broccoli | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | Apr 24 – May 8 | — | Jun 23 – Jul 14 |
| Cabbage | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | Apr 17 – May 1 | — | Jun 23 – Jul 14 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | Apr 24 – May 8 | — | Jun 23 – Jul 14 |
| Okra | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | May 29 – Jun 12 | May 29 – Jun 12 | — |
| Basil | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | May 15 – May 29 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 27 – Apr 17 | Jul 7 – Jul 28 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 27 – Apr 17 | Aug 4 – Aug 25 |
| Radishes | — | — | Apr 3 – May 15 | Aug 18 – Sep 8 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 10 – Apr 17 | May 22 – May 29 | May 15 – May 29 | Jul 14 – Jul 28 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 10 – Apr 17 | — | May 15 – May 29 | Jul 21 – Aug 4 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 10 – Apr 17 | — | May 15 – May 29 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 10 – Apr 17 | May 22 – Jun 5 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 17 – May 15 | Jul 7 – Jul 21 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 17 – May 15 | Jul 21 – Aug 4 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 17 – May 8 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 24 – May 22 | Jul 21 – Aug 4 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 24 – May 15 | Aug 4 – Aug 25 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 15 – Jun 5 | Jul 14 – Jul 28 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 15 – May 29 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 22 – Jun 12 | — | — |
| 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 Alexandria, SD weather station, 20 km away (elevation 1,365 ft (416 m)).
Frost dates near Spencer
- Canova May 5 · Oct 2
- Alexandria May 8 · Sep 29
- Salem May 7 · Sep 29
- Emery Apr 30 · Oct 7
- Fulton May 2 · Oct 6
- Bridgewater Apr 30 · Oct 7
- Fedora May 5 · Oct 2
- Canistota Apr 30 · Oct 7
- Howard May 5 · Oct 2
- Winfred May 6 · Oct 3
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Spencer, SD?
The median last spring frost in Spencer, SD is May 8. 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 Spencer, SD?
The median first fall frost is September 29, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 17.
How long is the growing season in Spencer, SD?
About 144 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Spencer, SD?
Spencer, SD is in USDA hardiness zone 5a.