Frost dates for 57461Mellette, SD
The average last spring frost in Mellette is May 11 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 11
- Average first fall frost
- Sep 27
- Growing season
- 137 days
Safer after May 23 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 15 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 196 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 20 · May 31 | Sep 5 · Sep 17 · Sep 29 | 121 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 29 · May 11 · May 23 | Sep 15 · Sep 27 · Oct 7 | 137 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 18 · May 2 · May 15 | Sep 21 · Oct 4 · Oct 17 | 154 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Mellette
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 10 – Jun 16 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 27 – Jun 7 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 10 – May 11 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 10 – Jul 11 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 27 – May 26 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 10 – Jul 11 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 10 – Jun 17 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 27 – Jul 11 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 10 – Jul 11 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 27 – Jul 10 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 27 – Jun 7 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 10 – Jul 11 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 3 – Jun 26 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 10 – May 26 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 10 – Jun 10 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 27 – Mar 26 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 27 – May 26 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 23 – Apr 26 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 27 – May 26 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 28 – Jun 7 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 27 – Jul 8 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 13 – Apr 10 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 10 – May 11 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 18 – Jun 17 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 17 – Jul 18 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 10 – Jun 26 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 17 – Aug 3 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – May 17 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Aug 8 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 10 – May 31 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 17 – Aug 18 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 27 – May 17 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 10 – Jul 18 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 11 – Jun 26 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 18 – Jul 3 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 17 – Oct 18 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 57461 is matched to the NOAA station Mellette 4 W, SD, 7.9 km away, at 1,296 ft elevation (3 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mellette 4 W, SD (used) | 1,296 ft | May 11 | Sep 27 |
| Conde, SD | 1,330 ft | May 6 | Sep 29 |
| Turton, SD | 1,335 ft | May 7 | Oct 3 |
| Aberdeen 3 E, SD | 1,301 ft | May 8 | Sep 29 |
Frost dates near Mellette
- Mansfield, SD 57460 · last May 11, first Sep 27
- Brentford, SD 57429 · last May 6, first Sep 29
- Northville, SD 57465 · last May 11, first Sep 27
- Ashton, SD 57424 · last May 11, first Sep 27
- Warner, SD 57479 · last May 9, first Sep 26
- Stratford, SD 57474 · last May 9, first Sep 26
- Conde, SD 57434 · last May 6, first Sep 29
- Redfield, SD 57469 · last May 8, first Oct 1
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Mellette, SD?
- For ZIP code 57461, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 11, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Mellette 4 W, SD weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 23.
- When is the first frost in Mellette, SD?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is September 27. 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 57461?
- 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.