Frost dates for 57006 — Brookings, SD
Last spring frostMay 6median date
First fall frostOct 1median date
Growing season148 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone4bZone 4b
How Brookings compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Brookings falls between April 25 and May 19, a 24-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 17 and October 13.
- The median last frost is the same as the South Dakota median of May 6.
- Its 148-day growing season is longer than 42% 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 177 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Sioux Falls, SD, 80 km away, the last frost here is 10 days later than there and the growing season is 22 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 25 |
| 50% (median) | May 6 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 19 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 17 |
| 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 Brookings, SD
Frost dates for 57006 — Brookings, SD — last frost May 6, first frost Oct 1, 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 6 to Sep 3
Start indoors: Mar 11 to Mar 25Transplant outside: Apr 8 to Apr 22Sow outdoors: Apr 8 to Apr 22Plant for fall: Jul 23 to Aug 13
Start indoors: Mar 11 to Mar 25Transplant outside: Apr 22 to May 6Plant for fall: Jun 25 to Jul 16
Start indoors: Mar 11 to Mar 25Transplant outside: Apr 15 to Apr 29Plant for fall: Jun 25 to Jul 16
Start indoors: Mar 11 to Mar 25Transplant outside: Apr 22 to May 6Plant for fall: Jun 25 to Jul 16
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 9 to Jul 30
Sow outdoors: Mar 25 to Apr 15Plant for fall: Aug 6 to Aug 27
Sow outdoors: Apr 1 to May 13Plant for fall: Aug 20 to Sep 10
Start indoors: Apr 8 to Apr 15Transplant outside: May 20 to May 27Sow outdoors: May 13 to May 27Plant for fall: Jul 16 to Jul 30
Start indoors: Apr 8 to Apr 15Sow outdoors: May 13 to May 27Plant for fall: Jul 23 to Aug 6
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 9 to Jul 23
Sow outdoors: Apr 15 to May 13Plant for fall: Jul 23 to Aug 6
Sow outdoors: Apr 15 to May 6
Sow outdoors: Apr 22 to May 20Plant for fall: Jul 23 to Aug 6
Sow outdoors: Apr 22 to May 13Plant for fall: Aug 6 to Aug 27
Sow outdoors: May 13 to Jun 3Plant for fall: Jul 16 to Jul 30
Sow outdoors: May 13 to May 27
Transplant outside: May 20 to Jun 10
Plant for fall: Sep 17 to Oct 22
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Brookings, 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 6 – Sep 3 |
| Kale | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | Jul 23 – Aug 13 |
| Broccoli | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | Apr 22 – May 6 | — | Jun 25 – Jul 16 |
| Cabbage | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | Apr 15 – Apr 29 | — | Jun 25 – Jul 16 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | Apr 22 – May 6 | — | Jun 25 – Jul 16 |
| 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 9 – Jul 30 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 25 – Apr 15 | Aug 6 – Aug 27 |
| Radishes | — | — | Apr 1 – May 13 | Aug 20 – Sep 10 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 8 – Apr 15 | May 20 – May 27 | May 13 – May 27 | Jul 16 – Jul 30 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 8 – Apr 15 | — | May 13 – May 27 | Jul 23 – Aug 6 |
| 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 9 – Jul 23 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 15 – May 13 | Jul 23 – Aug 6 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 15 – May 6 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 22 – May 20 | Jul 23 – Aug 6 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 22 – May 13 | Aug 6 – Aug 27 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 13 – Jun 3 | Jul 16 – Jul 30 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 13 – May 27 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 20 – Jun 10 | — | — |
| 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 Brookings 2 Ne, SD weather station, 3 km away (elevation 1,640 ft (500 m)).
ZIP codes in Brookings: 57006 57007
Frost dates near Brookings
- Aurora May 6 · Oct 1
- Volga May 6 · Oct 1
- White May 6 · Oct 3
- Bruce May 6 · Oct 1
- Sinai May 3 · Oct 2
- Arlington May 3 · Oct 2
- Nunda May 2 · Oct 5
- Elkton May 5 · Oct 1
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Brookings, SD?
The median last spring frost in Brookings, SD is May 6. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 19, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Brookings, SD?
The median first fall frost is October 1, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 17.
How long is the growing season in Brookings, SD?
About 148 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Brookings, SD?
Brookings, SD is in USDA hardiness zone 4b.