Frost dates for 57058Salem, SD
The average last spring frost in Salem is May 7 and the average first fall frost is September 29, giving a typical growing season of about 144 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 7
- Average first fall frost
- Sep 29
- Growing season
- 144 days
Safer after May 19 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 17 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 192 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 5 · May 16 · May 27 | Sep 8 · Sep 21 · Oct 2 | 128 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 25 · May 7 · May 19 | Sep 17 · Sep 29 · Oct 13 | 144 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 14 · Apr 29 · May 11 | Sep 25 · Oct 8 · Oct 22 | 162 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Salem
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 6 – Jun 12 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 23 – Jun 9 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 6 – May 7 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 6 – Jul 7 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 23 – May 22 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 6 – Jul 7 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 6 – Jun 19 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 23 – Jul 7 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 6 – Jul 7 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 23 – Jul 12 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 23 – Jun 9 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 6 – Jul 7 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 30 – Jun 22 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 6 – May 22 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 6 – Jun 6 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 23 – Mar 22 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 23 – May 22 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 19 – Apr 22 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 23 – May 22 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 30 – Jun 9 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Jul 10 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 9 – Apr 6 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 6 – May 7 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 20 – Jun 19 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 19 – Jul 20 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 6 – Jun 22 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 19 – Aug 5 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – May 13 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 6 – Aug 10 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 6 – May 27 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 19 – Aug 20 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 23 – May 13 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 12 – Jul 20 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 7 – Jun 22 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 20 – Jul 5 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 19 – Oct 20 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 57058 is matched to the NOAA station Salem 5Ne, SD, 5.8 km away, at 1,594 ft elevation (62 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salem 5Ne, SD (used) | 1,594 ft | May 7 | Sep 29 |
| Montrose 8N, SD | 1,718 ft | May 3 | Oct 4 |
| Bridgewater, SD | 1,417 ft | Apr 30 | Oct 7 |
| Winfred 2S, SD | 1,705 ft | May 6 | Oct 3 |
Frost dates near Salem
- Montrose, SD 57048 · last May 7, first Sep 29
- Spencer, SD 57374 · last May 8, first Sep 29
- Canistota, SD 57012 · last Apr 30, first Oct 7
- Canova, SD 57321 · last May 5, first Oct 2
- Bridgewater, SD 57319 · last Apr 30, first Oct 7
- Monroe, SD 57047 · last Apr 30, first Oct 7
- Humboldt, SD 57035 · last May 1, first Oct 6
- Emery, SD 57332 · last Apr 30, first Oct 7
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Salem, SD?
- For ZIP code 57058, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 7, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Salem 5Ne, SD weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 19.
- When is the first frost in Salem, SD?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is September 29. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 17, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 57058?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 144 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.