Frost dates for 57438Faulkton, SD
The average last spring frost in Faulkton is May 10 and the average first fall frost is September 28, giving a typical growing season of about 139 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 10
- Average first fall frost
- Sep 28
- Growing season
- 139 days
Safer after May 25 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 15 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 195 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 8 · May 21 · Jun 2 | Sep 8 · Sep 20 · Oct 2 | 122 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 29 · May 10 · May 25 | Sep 15 · Sep 28 · Oct 11 | 139 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 18 · May 1 · May 16 | Sep 20 · Oct 6 · Oct 20 | 156 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Faulkton
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 9 – Jun 15 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 26 – Jun 8 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 9 – May 10 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 9 – Jul 10 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 26 – May 25 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 9 – Jul 10 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 9 – Jun 18 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 26 – Jul 10 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 9 – Jul 10 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 26 – Jul 11 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 26 – Jun 8 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 9 – Jul 10 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 2 – Jun 25 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 9 – May 25 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 9 – Jun 9 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 26 – Mar 25 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 26 – May 25 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 22 – Apr 25 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 26 – May 25 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 29 – Jun 8 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Jul 9 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 12 – Apr 9 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 9 – May 10 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 19 – Jun 18 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 18 – Jul 19 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 9 – Jun 25 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 18 – Aug 4 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – May 16 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Aug 9 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 9 – May 30 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 18 – Aug 19 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 26 – May 16 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 11 – Jul 19 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 10 – Jun 25 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 19 – Jul 4 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 18 – Oct 19 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 57438 is matched to the NOAA station Faulkton 1 Nw, SD, 7.3 km away, at 1,597 ft elevation (66 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Faulkton 1 Nw, SD (used) | 1,597 ft | May 10 | Sep 28 |
| Highmore 23 N, SD | 1,870 ft | May 14 | Sep 29 |
| Ipswich, SD | 1,547 ft | May 8 | Sep 29 |
| Roscoe, SD | 1,835 ft | May 7 | Oct 3 |
Frost dates near Faulkton
- Seneca, SD 57473 · last May 14, first Sep 29
- Cresbard, SD 57435 · last May 10, first Sep 28
- Onaka, SD 57466 · last May 7, first Oct 3
- Orient, SD 57467 · last May 10, first Sep 28
- Tolstoy, SD 57475 · last May 7, first Oct 2
- Rockham, SD 57470 · last May 8, first Oct 1
- Roscoe, SD 57471 · last May 7, first Oct 3
- Ipswich, SD 57451 · last May 8, first Sep 29
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Faulkton, SD?
- For ZIP code 57438, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 10, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Faulkton 1 Nw, SD weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 25.
- When is the first frost in Faulkton, SD?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is September 28. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 15, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 57438?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 139 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.