Frost dates for 57474Stratford, SD
The average last spring frost in Stratford is May 9 and the average first fall frost is September 26, giving a typical growing season of about 139 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 9
- Average first fall frost
- Sep 26
- Growing season
- 139 days
Safer after May 22 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 14 (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 6 · May 19 · May 31 | Sep 4 · Sep 17 · Sep 29 | 121 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 27 · May 9 · May 22 | Sep 14 · Sep 26 · Oct 7 | 139 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 16 · Apr 30 · May 13 | Sep 23 · Oct 4 · Oct 18 | 156 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Stratford
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 6 |
| 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 16 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 25 – Jul 9 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 8 – Jul 9 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 25 – Jul 9 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 25 – Jun 6 |
| 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 27 – Jun 6 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 26 – Jul 7 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 11 – Apr 8 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – May 9 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 17 – Jun 16 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 16 – Jul 17 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – Jun 24 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 16 – Aug 2 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – May 15 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Aug 7 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – May 29 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 16 – Aug 17 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 25 – May 15 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 9 – Jul 17 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 9 – Jun 24 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 17 – Jul 2 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 16 – Oct 17 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 57474 is matched to the NOAA station Aberdeen, SD, 21.5 km away, at 1,302 ft elevation (3 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aberdeen, SD (used) | 1,302 ft | May 9 | Sep 26 |
| Conde, SD | 1,330 ft | May 6 | Sep 29 |
| Aberdeen 3 E, SD | 1,301 ft | May 8 | Sep 29 |
| Mellette 4 W, SD | 1,296 ft | May 11 | Sep 27 |
Frost dates near Stratford
- Brentford, SD 57429 · last May 6, first Sep 29
- Ferney, SD 57439 · last May 6, first Sep 29
- Warner, SD 57479 · last May 9, first Sep 26
- Conde, SD 57434 · last May 6, first Sep 29
- Bath, SD 57427 · last May 9, first Sep 26
- Mellette, SD 57461 · last May 11, first Sep 27
- Groton, SD 57445 · last May 6, first Oct 4
- Mansfield, SD 57460 · last May 11, first Sep 27
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Stratford, SD?
- For ZIP code 57474, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 9, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Aberdeen, SD weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 22.
- When is the first frost in Stratford, SD?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is September 26. 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 57474?
- 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.