Frost dates for 57382Wessington Springs, SD
The average last spring frost in Wessington Springs is May 2 and the average first fall frost is October 8, giving a typical growing season of about 157 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 2
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 8
- Growing season
- 157 days
Safer after May 14 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 26 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 187 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 11 · May 25 | Sep 18 · Sep 30 · Oct 12 | 140 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 20 · May 2 · May 14 | Sep 26 · Oct 8 · Oct 20 | 157 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 10 · Apr 23 · May 6 | Oct 2 · Oct 15 · Oct 29 | 174 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Wessington Springs
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 1 – Jun 7 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 18 – Jun 18 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 1 – May 2 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 1 – Jul 2 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 18 – May 17 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 1 – Jul 2 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 1 – Jun 28 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 18 – Jul 2 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 1 – Jul 2 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 18 – Jul 21 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 18 – Jun 18 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 1 – Jul 2 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 25 – Jun 17 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – May 17 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – Jun 1 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 18 – Mar 17 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 18 – May 17 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 14 – Apr 17 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 18 – May 17 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 8 – Jun 18 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Jul 19 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Apr 1 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – May 2 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 29 – Jun 28 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Jul 29 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – Jun 17 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Aug 14 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 25 – May 8 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Aug 19 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – May 22 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Aug 29 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 18 – May 8 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 21 – Jul 29 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 2 – Jun 17 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 29 – Jul 14 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 28 – Oct 29 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 57382 is matched to the NOAA station Wessington Springs, SD, 8.4 km away, at 1,715 ft elevation (136 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wessington Springs, SD (used) | 1,715 ft | May 2 | Oct 8 |
| Gann Valley 3 Nne, SD | 1,646 ft | May 7 | Oct 1 |
| Gann Valley 4Nw, SD | 1,720 ft | May 6 | Oct 1 |
| White Lake, SD | 1,629 ft | May 3 | Oct 5 |
Frost dates near Wessington Springs
- Lane, SD 57358 · last May 2, first Oct 8
- Alpena, SD 57312 · last May 9, first Sep 28
- Gann Valley, SD 57341 · last May 6, first Oct 1
- Virgil, SD 57379 · last May 6, first Oct 2
- Woonsocket, SD 57385 · last May 9, first Sep 28
- White Lake, SD 57383 · last May 3, first Oct 5
- Wessington, SD 57381 · last May 3, first Oct 3
- Plankinton, SD 57368 · last May 3, first Oct 5
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Wessington Springs, SD?
- For ZIP code 57382, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 2, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Wessington Springs, SD weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 14.
- When is the first frost in Wessington Springs, SD?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 8. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 26, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 57382?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 157 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.