Frost dates for 57018Colton, SD
The average last spring frost in Colton is May 5 and the average first fall frost is September 30, giving a typical growing season of about 148 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 5
- Average first fall frost
- Sep 30
- Growing season
- 148 days
Safer after May 18 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 18 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 183 days
Frost risk by date
NOAA reports frost dates as probabilities. The middle date is the average (a 50% chance). For spring, the 10% date is a safer planting date: frost after it happens in about 1 year in 10. Light frost (36°F) can damage tender plants; a hard freeze (28°F) kills most annuals.
| Temperature | Last spring: 90% / 50% / 10% chance | First fall: 10% / 50% / 90% chance | Growing season (50%) | Years with at least one |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light frost (36°F) | May 2 · May 14 · May 29 | Sep 10 · Sep 23 · Oct 5 | 130 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 22 · May 5 · May 18 | Sep 18 · Sep 30 · Oct 13 | 148 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 12 · Apr 27 · May 10 | Sep 26 · Oct 10 · Oct 23 | 166 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Colton
Planting windows from the University of Maryland Extension calendar, shifted to your average frost dates. Use them as a starting point and adjust for seed packet instructions and local conditions.
| Crop | Task | Window |
|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Start seeds indoors | Apr 4 – Jun 10 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 21 – Jun 10 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 4 – May 5 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 4 – Jul 5 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 21 – May 20 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 4 – Jul 5 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 4 – Jun 20 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 21 – Jul 5 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 4 – Jul 5 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 21 – Jul 13 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 21 – Jun 10 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 4 – Jul 5 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 28 – Jun 20 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 4 – May 20 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 4 – Jun 4 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 21 – Mar 20 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 21 – May 20 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 17 – Apr 20 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 21 – May 20 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 31 – Jun 10 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 30 – Jul 11 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 7 – Apr 4 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 4 – May 5 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 21 – Jun 20 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 20 – Jul 21 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 4 – Jun 20 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 20 – Aug 6 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – May 11 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 7 – Aug 11 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 4 – May 25 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 20 – Aug 21 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 21 – May 11 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 13 – Jul 21 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 5 – Jun 20 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 21 – Jul 6 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 20 – Oct 21 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 57018 is matched to the NOAA station Madison 2Se, SD, 24.3 km away, at 1,643 ft elevation (26 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Madison 2Se, SD (used) | 1,643 ft | May 5 | Sep 30 |
| Montrose 8N, SD | 1,718 ft | May 3 | Oct 4 |
| Wentworth 2.5 Wnw, SD | 1,722 ft | May 2 | Oct 5 |
| Sioux Falls 14 Nne, SD | 1,594 ft | May 1 | Oct 4 |
Frost dates near Colton
- Lyons, SD 57041 · last May 1, first Oct 4
- Chester, SD 57016 · last May 5, first Sep 30
- Baltic, SD 57003 · last May 1, first Oct 4
- Crooks, SD 57020 · last May 1, first Oct 6
- Sioux Falls, SD 57109 · last May 1, first Oct 4
- Dell Rapids, SD 57022 · last May 1, first Oct 4
- Hartford, SD 57033 · last May 1, first Oct 6
- Colman, SD 57017 · last May 2, first Oct 5
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Colton, SD?
- For ZIP code 57018, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 5, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Madison 2Se, SD weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 18.
- When is the first frost in Colton, SD?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is September 30. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 18, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 57018?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 148 days long.
- Are these frost dates a forecast?
- No. They are 30-year averages and probabilities from NOAA weather station records. Use them to plan, then watch your local forecast before planting tender crops or leaving them uncovered.