Frost dates for 57538Herrick, SD
The average last spring frost in Herrick is May 6 and the average first fall frost is October 3, giving a typical growing season of about 149 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 6
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 3
- Growing season
- 149 days
Safer after May 20 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 21 (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 4 · May 15 · May 29 | Sep 14 · Sep 26 · Oct 8 | 132 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 23 · May 6 · May 20 | Sep 21 · Oct 3 · Oct 17 | 149 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 12 · Apr 26 · May 9 | Sep 29 · Oct 13 · Oct 25 | 168 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Herrick
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 57538 is matched to the NOAA station Gregory, SD, 23.1 km away, at 2,160 ft elevation (41 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gregory, SD (used) | 2,160 ft | May 6 | Oct 3 |
| Bonesteel, SD | 1,985 ft | May 3 | Oct 10 |
| Butte, NE | 1,806 ft | May 4 | Oct 6 |
| Academy 2Ne, SD | 1,681 ft | Apr 30 | Oct 8 |
Frost dates near Herrick
- Saint Charles, SD 57571 · last May 3, first Oct 10
- Burke, SD 57523 · last May 6, first Oct 3
- Gregory, SD 57533 · last May 6, first Oct 3
- Bonesteel, SD 57317 · last May 3, first Oct 10
- Naper, NE 68755 · last May 4, first Oct 6
- Mills, NE 68753 · last May 6, first Oct 3
- Dallas, SD 57529 · last May 6, first Oct 3
- Fairfax, SD 57335 · last May 4, first Oct 6
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Herrick, SD?
- For ZIP code 57538, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 6, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Gregory, SD weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 20.
- When is the first frost in Herrick, SD?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 3. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 21, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 57538?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 149 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.