Frost dates for 57340Fulton, SD
The average last spring frost in Fulton is April 30 and the average first fall frost is October 5, giving a typical growing season of about 159 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 30
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 5
- Growing season
- 159 days
Safer after May 13 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 22 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 178 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 27 · May 9 · May 22 | Sep 15 · Sep 28 · Oct 10 | 142 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 16 · Apr 30 · May 13 | Sep 22 · Oct 5 · Oct 19 | 159 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 7 · Apr 20 · May 4 | Sep 30 · Oct 17 · Oct 31 | 178 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Fulton
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 30 – Jun 5 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 16 – Jun 15 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 30 – Apr 30 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 30 – Jun 30 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 16 – May 15 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 30 – Jun 30 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 30 – Jun 25 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Jun 30 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 30 – Jun 30 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Jul 18 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Jun 15 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 30 – Jun 30 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 23 – Jun 15 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – May 15 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – May 30 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 16 – Mar 15 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 16 – May 15 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 12 – Apr 15 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 16 – May 15 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 5 – Jun 15 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Jul 16 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 2 – Mar 30 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – Apr 30 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 26 – Jun 25 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Jul 26 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – Jun 15 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Aug 11 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – May 6 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Aug 16 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – May 20 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Aug 26 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 16 – May 6 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 18 – Jul 26 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 30 – Jun 15 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 26 – Jul 11 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 25 – Oct 26 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 57340 is matched to the NOAA station Mitchell Muni Ap, SD, 13 km away, at 1,303 ft elevation (6 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mitchell Muni Ap, SD (used) | 1,303 ft | Apr 30 | Oct 5 |
| Mitchell 2 N, SD | 1,250 ft | May 2 | Oct 6 |
| Alexandria, SD | 1,365 ft | May 8 | Sep 29 |
| Mitchell, SD | 1,287 ft | Apr 27 | Oct 11 |
Frost dates near Fulton
- Alexandria, SD 57311 · last May 8, first Sep 29
- Mitchell, SD 57301 · last Apr 30, first Oct 5
- Spencer, SD 57374 · last May 8, first Sep 29
- Ethan, SD 57334 · last May 8, first Sep 29
- Fedora, SD 57337 · last May 9, first Sep 28
- Emery, SD 57332 · last Apr 30, first Oct 7
- Letcher, SD 57359 · last Apr 30, first Oct 5
- Canova, SD 57321 · last May 5, first Oct 2
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Fulton, SD?
- For ZIP code 57340, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 30, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Mitchell Muni Ap, SD weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 13.
- When is the first frost in Fulton, SD?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 5. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 22, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 57340?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 159 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.