Frost dates for 57553Milesville, SD
The average last spring frost in Milesville is May 8 and the average first fall frost is October 2, giving a typical growing season of about 147 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 8
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 2
- Growing season
- 147 days
Safer after May 22 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 17 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 187 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 7 · May 19 · May 31 | Sep 10 · Sep 25 · Oct 6 | 128 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 27 · May 8 · May 22 | Sep 17 · Oct 2 · Oct 17 | 147 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 13 · Apr 29 · May 11 | Sep 26 · Oct 12 · Oct 25 | 166 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Milesville
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 12 |
| 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 22 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 24 – Jul 8 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 7 – Jul 8 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 24 – Jul 15 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 24 – Jun 12 |
| 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 2 – Jun 12 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Jul 13 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 10 – Apr 7 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – May 8 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 23 – Jun 22 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Jul 23 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – Jun 23 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Aug 8 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – May 14 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Aug 13 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – May 28 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Aug 23 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 24 – May 14 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 15 – Jul 23 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 8 – Jun 23 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 23 – Jul 8 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 22 – Oct 23 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 57553 is matched to the NOAA station Milesville 5 Ne, SD, 14.5 km away, at 2,237 ft elevation (188 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Milesville 5 Ne, SD (used) | 2,237 ft | May 8 | Oct 2 |
| Plainview 6 Ssw, SD | 2,377 ft | May 15 | Sep 27 |
| Kirley 6 N, SD | 2,160 ft | May 6 | Oct 4 |
| Philip Ap, SD | 2,206 ft | May 11 | Sep 30 |
Frost dates near Milesville
- Howes, SD 57748 · last May 15, first Sep 27
- Cherry Creek, SD 57622 · last May 6, first Oct 4
- Quinn, SD 57775 · last May 16, first Sep 26
- Philip, SD 57567 · last May 11, first Sep 30
- Hayes, SD 57537 · last May 12, first Sep 28
- Wasta, SD 57791 · last May 10, first Oct 1
- White Owl, SD 57792 · last May 16, first Sep 26
- Midland, SD 57552 · last May 12, first Sep 28
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Milesville, SD?
- For ZIP code 57553, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 8, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Milesville 5 Ne, SD weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 22.
- When is the first frost in Milesville, SD?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 2. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 17, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 57553?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 147 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.