Frost dates for 57046Mission Hill, SD
The average last spring frost in Mission Hill is April 27 and the average first fall frost is October 11, giving a typical growing season of about 164 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 27
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 11
- Growing season
- 164 days
Safer after May 10 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 27 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 182 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) | Apr 24 · May 6 · May 18 | Sep 17 · Oct 1 · Oct 14 | 147 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 13 · Apr 27 · May 10 | Sep 27 · Oct 11 · Oct 23 | 164 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 3 · Apr 18 · May 2 | Oct 6 · Oct 21 · Nov 3 | 184 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Mission Hill
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 | Mar 27 – Jun 2 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 13 – Jun 21 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 27 – Apr 27 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 27 – Jun 27 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 13 – May 12 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 27 – Jun 27 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 27 – Jul 1 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 13 – Jun 27 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 27 – Jun 27 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 13 – Jul 24 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 13 – Jun 21 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 27 – Jun 27 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 20 – Jun 12 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – May 12 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – May 27 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 13 – Mar 12 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 13 – May 12 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 9 – Apr 12 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 13 – May 12 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 11 – Jun 21 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Jul 22 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 27 – Mar 27 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – Apr 27 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 1 – Jul 1 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Aug 1 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – Jun 12 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Aug 17 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 20 – May 3 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Aug 22 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – May 17 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Sep 1 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 13 – May 3 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 24 – Aug 1 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 27 – Jun 12 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 1 – Jul 17 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 1 – Nov 1 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 57046 is matched to the NOAA station Yankton 2 E, SD, 11.9 km away, at 1,180 ft elevation (175 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yankton 2 E, SD (used) | 1,180 ft | Apr 27 | Oct 11 |
| Crofton, NE | 1,400 ft | Apr 30 | Oct 8 |
| Menno, SD | 1,332 ft | May 1 | Oct 4 |
| Centerville 6 Se, SD | 1,276 ft | May 2 | Oct 1 |
Frost dates near Mission Hill
- Utica, SD 57067 · last Apr 27, first Oct 11
- Yankton, SD 57078 · last Apr 27, first Oct 11
- Volin, SD 57072 · last Apr 27, first Oct 11
- Irene, SD 57037 · last May 1, first Oct 4
- Gayville, SD 57031 · last Apr 27, first Oct 11
- Saint Helena, NE 68774 · last Apr 30, first Oct 8
- Wakonda, SD 57073 · last May 2, first Oct 1
- Lesterville, SD 57040 · last May 1, first Oct 7
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Mission Hill, SD?
- For ZIP code 57046, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 27, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Yankton 2 E, SD weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 10.
- When is the first frost in Mission Hill, SD?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 11. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 27, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 57046?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 164 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.