Frost dates for 57255New Effington, SD
The average last spring frost in New Effington is May 4 and the average first fall frost is October 3, giving a typical growing season of about 152 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 4
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 3
- Growing season
- 152 days
Safer after May 17 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 21 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 189 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 1 · May 14 · May 25 | Sep 13 · Sep 24 · Oct 6 | 133 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 21 · May 4 · May 17 | Sep 21 · Oct 3 · Oct 17 | 152 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 9 · Apr 24 · May 7 | Sep 30 · Oct 14 · Oct 27 | 172 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for New Effington
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 3 – Jun 9 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 20 – Jun 13 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 3 – May 4 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 3 – Jul 4 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 20 – May 19 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 3 – Jul 4 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 3 – Jun 23 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 20 – Jul 4 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 3 – Jul 4 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 20 – Jul 16 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 20 – Jun 13 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 3 – Jul 4 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 27 – Jun 19 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – May 19 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – Jun 3 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 20 – Mar 19 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 20 – May 19 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 16 – Apr 19 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 20 – May 19 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 3 – Jun 13 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Jul 14 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 6 – Apr 3 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – May 4 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 24 – Jun 23 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 23 – Jul 24 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – Jun 19 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 23 – Aug 9 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – May 10 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Aug 14 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – May 24 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 23 – Aug 24 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 20 – May 10 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 16 – Jul 24 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 4 – Jun 19 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 24 – Jul 9 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 23 – Oct 24 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 57255 is matched to the NOAA station Victor 4 N, SD, 8.9 km away, at 1,095 ft elevation (12 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Victor 4 N, SD (used) | 1,095 ft | May 4 | Oct 3 |
| Sisseton Muni Ap, SD | 1,161 ft | May 3 | Sep 30 |
| Sisseton, SD | 1,209 ft | May 4 | Oct 3 |
| White Rock Dam, MN | 1,024 ft | May 3 | Oct 3 |
Frost dates near New Effington
- Claire City, SD 57224 · last May 4, first Oct 3
- Rosholt, SD 57260 · last May 3, first Oct 3
- Hankinson, ND 58041 · last May 4, first Oct 3
- Sisseton, SD 57262 · last May 4, first Oct 3
- Fairmount, ND 58030 · last May 3, first Oct 3
- Browns Valley, MN 56219 · last May 9, first Sep 28
- Lidgerwood, ND 58053 · last May 2, first Oct 6
- Veblen, SD 57270 · last May 7, first Oct 1
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in New Effington, SD?
- For ZIP code 57255, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 4, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Victor 4 N, SD weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 17.
- When is the first frost in New Effington, SD?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 3. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 21, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 57255?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 152 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.