Frost dates for 57559Murdo, SD
The average last spring frost in Murdo is May 3 and the average first fall frost is October 9, giving a typical growing season of about 158 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 3
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 9
- Growing season
- 158 days
Safer after May 16 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 25 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 182 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 1 · May 12 · May 24 | Sep 18 · Oct 1 · Oct 14 | 140 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 19 · May 3 · May 16 | Sep 25 · Oct 9 · Oct 22 | 158 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 8 · Apr 22 · May 6 | Oct 3 · Oct 18 · Oct 31 | 176 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Murdo
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 2 – Jun 8 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 19 – Jun 19 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 2 – May 3 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 2 – Jul 3 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 19 – May 18 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 2 – Jul 3 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 2 – Jun 29 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 19 – Jul 3 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 2 – Jul 3 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 19 – Jul 22 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 19 – Jun 19 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 2 – Jul 3 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 26 – Jun 18 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – May 18 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – Jun 2 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 19 – Mar 18 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 19 – May 18 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 15 – Apr 18 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 19 – May 18 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 9 – Jun 19 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Jul 20 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 2 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – May 3 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 30 – Jun 29 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Jul 30 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – Jun 18 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Aug 15 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – May 9 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Aug 20 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – May 23 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Aug 30 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 19 – May 9 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Jul 30 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 3 – Jun 18 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 30 – Jul 15 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 29 – Oct 30 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 57559 is matched to the NOAA station Murdo, SD, 1 km away, at 2,316 ft elevation (46 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Murdo, SD (used) | 2,316 ft | May 3 | Oct 9 |
| Pierre 24 S, SD | 2,124 ft | May 6 | Oct 7 |
| Ft Pierre 17 Wsw, SD | 1,590 ft | May 10 | Sep 27 |
| Midland, SD | 1,870 ft | May 12 | Sep 28 |
Frost dates near Murdo
- Okaton, SD 57562 · last May 3, first Oct 9
- Draper, SD 57531 · last May 3, first Oct 9
- Vivian, SD 57576 · last May 12, first Sep 29
- White River, SD 57579 · last May 10, first Oct 1
- Midland, SD 57552 · last May 12, first Sep 28
- Belvidere, SD 57521 · last May 11, first Sep 30
- Wood, SD 57585 · last May 10, first Oct 1
- Presho, SD 57568 · last May 12, first Sep 29
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Murdo, SD?
- For ZIP code 57559, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 3, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Murdo, SD weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 16.
- When is the first frost in Murdo, SD?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 9. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 25, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 57559?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 158 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.