Frost dates for 57456Leola, SD
The average last spring frost in Leola is May 9 and the average first fall frost is September 28, giving a typical growing season of about 141 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 9
- Average first fall frost
- Sep 28
- Growing season
- 141 days
Safer after May 21 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 17 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 194 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 7 · May 18 · May 31 | Sep 8 · Sep 20 · Oct 1 | 124 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 28 · May 9 · May 21 | Sep 17 · Sep 28 · Oct 10 | 141 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 18 · May 1 · May 13 | Sep 25 · Oct 6 · Oct 19 | 158 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Leola
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 8 – Jun 14 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 25 – Jun 8 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 8 – May 9 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 8 – Jul 9 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 25 – May 24 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 8 – Jul 9 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 8 – Jun 18 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 25 – Jul 9 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 8 – Jul 9 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 25 – Jul 11 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 25 – Jun 8 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 8 – Jul 9 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 1 – Jun 24 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – May 24 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – Jun 8 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 25 – Mar 24 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 25 – May 24 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 21 – Apr 24 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 25 – May 24 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 29 – Jun 8 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Jul 9 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 11 – Apr 8 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – May 9 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 19 – Jun 18 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 18 – Jul 19 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – Jun 24 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 18 – Aug 4 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – May 15 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Aug 9 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – May 29 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 18 – Aug 19 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 25 – May 15 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 11 – Jul 19 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 9 – Jun 24 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 19 – Jul 4 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 18 – Oct 19 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 57456 is matched to the NOAA station Leola, SD, 0.5 km away, at 1,580 ft elevation (11 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leola, SD (used) | 1,580 ft | May 9 | Sep 28 |
| Aberdeen 35 Wnw, SD | 1,957 ft | May 10 | Sep 30 |
| Ipswich, SD | 1,547 ft | May 8 | Sep 29 |
| Roscoe, SD | 1,835 ft | May 7 | Oct 3 |
Frost dates near Leola
- Long Lake, SD 57457 · last May 13, first Sep 28
- Westport, SD 57481 · last May 7, first Sep 29
- Eureka, SD 57437 · last May 12, first Sep 27
- Ipswich, SD 57451 · last May 8, first Sep 29
- Forbes, ND 58439 · last May 4, first Oct 2
- Barnard, SD 57426 · last May 7, first Sep 29
- Frederick, SD 57441 · last May 4, first Oct 2
- Roscoe, SD 57471 · last May 7, first Oct 3
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Leola, SD?
- For ZIP code 57456, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 9, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Leola, SD weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 21.
- When is the first frost in Leola, SD?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is September 28. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 17, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 57456?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 141 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.