Frost dates for 57365Oacoma, SD
The average last spring frost in Oacoma is May 1 and the average first fall frost is October 7, giving a typical growing season of about 158 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 1
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 7
- Growing season
- 158 days
Safer after May 14 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 23 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 186 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 30 · May 10 · May 24 | Sep 17 · Sep 28 · Oct 12 | 139 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 18 · May 1 · May 14 | Sep 23 · Oct 7 · Oct 20 | 158 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 7 · Apr 21 · May 4 | Oct 1 · Oct 16 · Oct 30 | 177 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Oacoma
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 31 – Jun 6 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 17 – Jun 17 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 31 – May 1 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 31 – Jul 1 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 17 – May 16 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 31 – Jul 1 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 31 – Jun 27 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 17 – Jul 1 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 31 – Jul 1 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 17 – Jul 20 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 17 – Jun 17 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 31 – Jul 1 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 24 – Jun 16 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – May 16 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – May 31 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 17 – Mar 16 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 17 – May 16 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 13 – Apr 16 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 17 – May 16 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 7 – Jun 17 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 7 – Jul 18 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 3 – Mar 31 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – May 1 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 28 – Jun 27 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 27 – Jul 28 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – Jun 16 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 27 – Aug 13 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – May 7 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Aug 18 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – May 21 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 27 – Aug 28 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 17 – May 7 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 20 – Jul 28 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 1 – Jun 16 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 28 – Jul 13 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 27 – Oct 28 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 57365 is matched to the NOAA station Chamberlain Muni Ap, SD, 7 km away, at 1,703 ft elevation (312 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chamberlain Muni Ap, SD (used) | 1,703 ft | May 1 | Oct 7 |
| Chamberlain 5 S, SD | 1,704 ft | May 3 | Oct 7 |
| Lake Sharpe Prj, SD | 1,461 ft | May 6 | Oct 5 |
| Gann Valley 4Nw, SD | 1,720 ft | May 6 | Oct 1 |
Frost dates near Oacoma
- Chamberlain, SD 57326 · last May 1, first Oct 7
- Pukwana, SD 57370 · last May 1, first Oct 7
- Reliance, SD 57569 · last May 12, first Sep 28
- Fort Thompson, SD 57339 · last May 6, first Oct 5
- Hamill, SD 57534 · last May 3, first Oct 7
- Kimball, SD 57355 · last May 3, first Oct 5
- Lower Brule, SD 57548 · last May 6, first Oct 5
- Kennebec, SD 57544 · last May 12, first Sep 28
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Oacoma, SD?
- For ZIP code 57365, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 1, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Chamberlain Muni Ap, SD weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 14.
- When is the first frost in Oacoma, SD?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 7. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 23, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 57365?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 158 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.