Frost dates for 57501Pierre, SD
The average last spring frost in Pierre is May 6 and the average first fall frost is October 3, giving a typical growing season of about 148 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 6
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 3
- Growing season
- 148 days
Safer after May 21 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 20 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 185 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 3 · May 16 · May 30 | Sep 13 · Sep 25 · Oct 8 | 131 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 24 · May 6 · May 21 | Sep 20 · Oct 3 · Oct 17 | 148 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 12 · Apr 26 · May 10 | Sep 27 · Oct 12 · Oct 27 | 167 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Pierre
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 5 – Jun 11 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 22 – Jun 13 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 5 – May 6 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 5 – Jul 6 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 22 – May 21 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 5 – Jul 6 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 5 – Jun 23 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 22 – Jul 6 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 5 – Jul 6 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 22 – Jul 16 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 22 – Jun 13 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 5 – Jul 6 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 29 – Jun 21 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – May 21 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – Jun 5 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 22 – Mar 21 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 22 – May 21 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 18 – Apr 21 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 22 – May 21 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 3 – Jun 13 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Jul 14 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 8 – Apr 5 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – May 6 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 24 – Jun 23 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 23 – Jul 24 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – Jun 21 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 23 – Aug 9 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – May 12 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Aug 14 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – May 26 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 23 – Aug 24 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 22 – May 12 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 16 – Jul 24 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 6 – Jun 21 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 24 – Jul 9 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 23 – Oct 24 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 57501 is matched to the NOAA station Pierre Rgnl Ap, SD, 3.1 km away, at 1,742 ft elevation (62 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pierre Rgnl Ap, SD (used) | 1,742 ft | May 6 | Oct 3 |
| Oahe Dam, SD | 1,663 ft | May 6 | Oct 5 |
| Ft Pierre 17 Wsw, SD | 1,590 ft | May 10 | Sep 27 |
| Pierre 24 S, SD | 2,124 ft | May 6 | Oct 7 |
Frost dates near Pierre
- Fort Pierre, SD 57532 · last May 6, first Oct 3
- Blunt, SD 57522 · last May 17, first Sep 24
- Onida, SD 57564 · last May 8, first Oct 2
- Vivian, SD 57576 · last May 12, first Sep 29
- Harrold, SD 57536 · last May 17, first Sep 24
- Draper, SD 57531 · last May 3, first Oct 9
- Hayes, SD 57537 · last May 12, first Sep 28
- Presho, SD 57568 · last May 12, first Sep 29
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Pierre, SD?
- For ZIP code 57501, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 6, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Pierre Rgnl Ap, SD weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 21.
- When is the first frost in Pierre, SD?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 3. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 20, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 57501?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 148 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.