Frost dates for 57373Saint Lawrence, SD
The average last spring frost in Saint Lawrence is May 3 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 3
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 3
- Growing season
- 152 days
Safer after May 16 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 20 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 188 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 2 · May 14 · May 25 | Sep 13 · Sep 25 · Oct 8 | 134 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 19 · May 3 · May 16 | Sep 20 · Oct 3 · Oct 18 | 152 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 11 · Apr 24 · May 6 | Sep 28 · Oct 13 · Oct 26 | 171 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Saint Lawrence
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 2 – Jun 8 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 19 – Jun 13 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 2 – May 3 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 2 – Jul 3 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 19 – May 18 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 2 – Jul 3 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 2 – Jun 23 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 19 – Jul 3 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 2 – Jul 3 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 19 – Jul 16 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 19 – Jun 13 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 2 – Jul 3 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 26 – Jun 18 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – May 18 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – Jun 2 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 19 – Mar 18 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 19 – May 18 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 15 – Apr 18 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 19 – May 18 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 3 – Jun 13 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Jul 14 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 2 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – May 3 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 24 – Jun 23 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 23 – Jul 24 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – Jun 18 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 23 – Aug 9 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – May 9 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Aug 14 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – May 23 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 23 – Aug 24 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 19 – May 9 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 16 – Jul 24 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 3 – Jun 18 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 24 – Jul 9 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 23 – Oct 24 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 57373 is matched to the NOAA station Miller, SD, 8.4 km away, at 1,576 ft elevation (87 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Miller, SD (used) | 1,576 ft | May 3 | Oct 3 |
| Highmore 1 W, SD | 1,888 ft | May 12 | Oct 1 |
| Redfield, SD | 1,309 ft | May 8 | Oct 1 |
| Gann Valley 3 Nne, SD | 1,646 ft | May 7 | Oct 1 |
Frost dates near Saint Lawrence
- Miller, SD 57362 · last May 3, first Oct 3
- Wessington, SD 57381 · last May 3, first Oct 3
- Ree Heights, SD 57371 · last May 3, first Oct 3
- Hitchcock, SD 57348 · last May 6, first Oct 2
- Tulare, SD 57476 · last May 8, first Oct 1
- Wolsey, SD 57384 · last May 6, first Oct 2
- Orient, SD 57467 · last May 10, first Sep 28
- Rockham, SD 57470 · last May 8, first Oct 1
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Saint Lawrence, SD?
- For ZIP code 57373, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 3, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Miller, SD weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 16.
- When is the first frost in Saint Lawrence, SD?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 3. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 20, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 57373?
- 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.