White Lake, SD frost dates
Last spring frostMay 3median date
First fall frostOct 5median date
Growing season155 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone5aZone 5a
How White Lake compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in White Lake falls between April 20 and May 17, a 27-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 21 and October 18.
- The median last frost is 3 days earlier than the South Dakota median of May 6.
- Its 155-day growing season is longer than 73% 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 163 nights a year at or below 32°F.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 20 |
| 50% (median) | May 3 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 17 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 21 |
| 50% (median) | October 5 |
| 90% (late) | October 18 |
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 White Lake, SD
White Lake, SD frost dates — last frost May 3, first frost Oct 5, zone 5a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Feb 8 to Feb 22Transplant outside: Apr 5 to Apr 19
Start indoors: Feb 22 to Mar 8Transplant outside: May 17 to May 31
Start indoors: Feb 22 to Mar 8Transplant outside: May 17 to May 31
Start indoors: Mar 8 to Mar 22Transplant outside: May 10 to May 24
Start indoors: Mar 8 to Mar 22Transplant outside: Apr 12 to Apr 26Sow outdoors: Apr 5 to May 10Plant for fall: Aug 10 to Sep 7
Start indoors: Mar 8 to Mar 22Transplant outside: Apr 5 to Apr 19Sow outdoors: Apr 5 to Apr 19Plant for fall: Jul 27 to Aug 17
Start indoors: Mar 8 to Mar 22Transplant outside: Apr 19 to May 3Plant for fall: Jun 29 to Jul 20
Start indoors: Mar 8 to Mar 22Transplant outside: Apr 12 to Apr 26Plant for fall: Jun 29 to Jul 20
Start indoors: Mar 8 to Mar 22Transplant outside: Apr 19 to May 3Plant for fall: Jun 29 to Jul 20
Start indoors: Mar 22 to Apr 5Transplant outside: May 24 to Jun 7Sow outdoors: May 24 to Jun 7
Start indoors: Mar 22 to Apr 5Transplant outside: May 10 to May 24
Sow outdoors: Mar 22 to Apr 12Plant for fall: Jul 13 to Aug 3
Sow outdoors: Mar 22 to Apr 12Plant for fall: Aug 10 to Aug 31
Sow outdoors: Mar 29 to May 10Plant for fall: Aug 24 to Sep 14
Start indoors: Apr 5 to Apr 12Transplant outside: May 17 to May 24Sow outdoors: May 10 to May 24Plant for fall: Jul 20 to Aug 3
Start indoors: Apr 5 to Apr 12Sow outdoors: May 10 to May 24Plant for fall: Jul 27 to Aug 10
Start indoors: Apr 5 to Apr 12Sow outdoors: May 10 to May 24
Start indoors: Apr 5 to Apr 12Transplant outside: May 17 to May 31
Sow outdoors: Apr 12 to May 10Plant for fall: Jul 13 to Jul 27
Sow outdoors: Apr 12 to May 10Plant for fall: Jul 27 to Aug 10
Sow outdoors: Apr 12 to May 3
Sow outdoors: Apr 19 to May 17Plant for fall: Jul 27 to Aug 10
Sow outdoors: Apr 19 to May 10Plant for fall: Aug 10 to Aug 31
Sow outdoors: May 10 to May 31Plant for fall: Jul 20 to Aug 3
Sow outdoors: May 10 to May 24
Transplant outside: May 17 to Jun 7
Plant for fall: Sep 21 to Oct 26
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in White Lake, SD
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | May 17 – May 31 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | May 17 – May 31 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | May 10 – May 24 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | Apr 5 – May 10 | Aug 10 – Sep 7 |
| Kale | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | Jul 27 – Aug 17 |
| Broccoli | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | Apr 19 – May 3 | — | Jun 29 – Jul 20 |
| Cabbage | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | — | Jun 29 – Jul 20 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | Apr 19 – May 3 | — | Jun 29 – Jul 20 |
| Okra | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | May 24 – Jun 7 | May 24 – Jun 7 | — |
| Basil | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | May 10 – May 24 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 22 – Apr 12 | Jul 13 – Aug 3 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 22 – Apr 12 | Aug 10 – Aug 31 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 29 – May 10 | Aug 24 – Sep 14 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 5 – Apr 12 | May 17 – May 24 | May 10 – May 24 | Jul 20 – Aug 3 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 5 – Apr 12 | — | May 10 – May 24 | Jul 27 – Aug 10 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 5 – Apr 12 | — | May 10 – May 24 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 5 – Apr 12 | May 17 – May 31 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 12 – May 10 | Jul 13 – Jul 27 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 12 – May 10 | Jul 27 – Aug 10 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 12 – May 3 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 19 – May 17 | Jul 27 – Aug 10 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 19 – May 10 | Aug 10 – Aug 31 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 10 – May 31 | Jul 20 – Aug 3 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 10 – May 24 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 17 – Jun 7 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 21 – Oct 26 |
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 White Lake, SD weather station, 8 km away (elevation 1,631 ft (497 m)).
Frost dates near White Lake
- Plankinton May 3 · Oct 5
- Kimball May 3 · Oct 5
- Stickney May 3 · Oct 5
- Wessington Springs May 2 · Oct 8
- Mount Vernon Apr 27 · Oct 11
- New Holland May 3 · Oct 6
- Pukwana May 1 · Oct 7
- Harrison May 3 · Oct 6
- Platte Apr 30 · Oct 8
- Lane May 2 · Oct 8
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in White Lake, SD?
The median last spring frost in White Lake, SD is May 3. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 17, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in White Lake, SD?
The median first fall frost is October 5, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 21.
How long is the growing season in White Lake, SD?
About 155 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is White Lake, SD?
White Lake, SD is in USDA hardiness zone 5a.