Frost dates for 57476Tulare, SD
The average last spring frost in Tulare is May 8 and the average first fall frost is October 1, giving a typical growing season of about 145 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 8
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 1
- Growing season
- 145 days
Safer after May 21 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 19 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 186 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 5 · May 16 · May 29 | Sep 10 · Sep 23 · Oct 4 | 129 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 25 · May 8 · May 21 | Sep 19 · Oct 1 · Oct 13 | 145 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 14 · Apr 29 · May 12 | Sep 25 · Oct 8 · Oct 22 | 162 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Tulare
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 7 – Jun 13 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 24 – Jun 11 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 7 – May 8 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 7 – Jul 8 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 24 – May 23 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 7 – Jul 8 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 7 – Jun 21 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 24 – Jul 8 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 7 – Jul 8 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 24 – Jul 14 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 24 – Jun 11 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 7 – Jul 8 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 31 – Jun 23 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – May 23 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – Jun 7 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 24 – Mar 23 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 24 – May 23 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 20 – Apr 23 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 24 – May 23 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 1 – Jun 11 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Jul 12 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 10 – Apr 7 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – May 8 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 22 – Jun 21 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 21 – Jul 22 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – Jun 23 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 21 – Aug 7 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – May 14 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Aug 12 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – May 28 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 21 – Aug 22 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 24 – May 14 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 14 – Jul 22 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 8 – Jun 23 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 22 – Jul 7 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 21 – Oct 22 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 57476 is matched to the NOAA station Redfield, SD, 15.2 km away, at 1,309 ft elevation (10 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Redfield, SD (used) | 1,309 ft | May 8 | Oct 1 |
| Miller, SD | 1,576 ft | May 3 | Oct 3 |
| Huron Rgnl Ap, SD | 1,280 ft | May 6 | Oct 2 |
| Mellette 4 W, SD | 1,296 ft | May 11 | Sep 27 |
Frost dates near Tulare
- Redfield, SD 57469 · last May 8, first Oct 1
- Hitchcock, SD 57348 · last May 6, first Oct 2
- Frankfort, SD 57440 · last May 8, first Oct 1
- Rockham, SD 57470 · last May 8, first Oct 1
- Saint Lawrence, SD 57373 · last May 3, first Oct 3
- Wessington, SD 57381 · last May 3, first Oct 3
- Ashton, SD 57424 · last May 11, first Sep 27
- Wolsey, SD 57384 · last May 6, first Oct 2
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Tulare, SD?
- For ZIP code 57476, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 8, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Redfield, SD weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 21.
- When is the first frost in Tulare, SD?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 1. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 19, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 57476?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 145 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.