Frost dates for 57437Eureka, SD
The average last spring frost in Eureka is May 12 and the average first fall frost is September 27, giving a typical growing season of about 137 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 12
- Average first fall frost
- Sep 27
- Growing season
- 137 days
Safer after May 25 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 14 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 197 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 10 · May 22 · Jun 5 | Sep 5 · Sep 19 · Sep 29 | 119 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | May 1 · May 12 · May 25 | Sep 14 · Sep 27 · Oct 8 | 137 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 19 · May 2 · May 16 | Sep 21 · Oct 4 · Oct 17 | 154 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Eureka
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 11 – Jun 17 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 28 – Jun 7 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 11 – May 12 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 11 – Jul 12 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 28 – May 27 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 11 – Jul 12 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 11 – Jun 17 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 28 – Jul 12 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 11 – Jul 12 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 28 – Jul 10 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 28 – Jun 7 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 11 – Jul 12 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 4 – Jun 27 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 11 – May 27 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 11 – Jun 11 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 28 – Mar 27 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 28 – May 27 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 24 – Apr 27 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 28 – May 27 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 28 – Jun 7 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 27 – Jul 8 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 14 – Apr 11 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 11 – May 12 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 18 – Jun 17 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 17 – Jul 18 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 11 – Jun 27 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 17 – Aug 3 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 4 – May 18 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Aug 8 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 11 – Jun 1 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 17 – Aug 18 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 28 – May 18 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 10 – Jul 18 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 12 – Jun 27 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 18 – Jul 3 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 17 – Oct 18 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 57437 is matched to the NOAA station Eureka, SD, 22.6 km away, at 1,871 ft elevation (52 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eureka, SD (used) | 1,871 ft | May 12 | Sep 27 |
| Aberdeen 35 Wnw, SD | 1,957 ft | May 10 | Sep 30 |
| Ashley, ND | 2,014 ft | May 13 | Sep 28 |
| Leola, SD | 1,580 ft | May 9 | Sep 28 |
Frost dates near Eureka
- Long Lake, SD 57457 · last May 13, first Sep 28
- Hosmer, SD 57448 · last May 7, first Oct 3
- Leola, SD 57456 · last May 9, first Sep 28
- Ashley, ND 58413 · last May 13, first Sep 28
- Roscoe, SD 57471 · last May 7, first Oct 3
- Zeeland, ND 58581 · last May 13, first Sep 28
- Bowdle, SD 57428 · last May 7, first Oct 3
- Ipswich, SD 57451 · last May 8, first Sep 29
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Eureka, SD?
- For ZIP code 57437, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 12, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Eureka, SD weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 25.
- When is the first frost in Eureka, SD?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is September 27. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 14, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 57437?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 137 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.