Frost dates for 57741Fort Meade, SD
The average last spring frost in Fort Meade is May 8 and the average first fall frost is October 3, 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 3
- Growing season
- 147 days
Safer after May 21 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 19 (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 6 · May 19 · May 31 | Sep 11 · Sep 24 · Oct 6 | 127 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 26 · May 8 · May 21 | Sep 19 · Oct 3 · Oct 17 | 147 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 13 · Apr 28 · May 11 | Sep 27 · Oct 13 · Oct 27 | 167 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Fort Meade
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 13 |
| 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 23 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 24 – Jul 8 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 7 – Jul 8 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 24 – Jul 16 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 24 – Jun 13 |
| 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 3 – Jun 13 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Jul 14 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 10 – Apr 7 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – May 8 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 24 – Jun 23 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 23 – Jul 24 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – Jun 23 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 23 – Aug 9 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – May 14 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Aug 14 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – May 28 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 23 – Aug 24 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 24 – May 14 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 16 – Jul 24 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 8 – Jun 23 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 24 – Jul 9 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 23 – Oct 24 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 57741 is matched to the NOAA station Ft Meade, SD, 1.7 km away, at 3,308 ft elevation (25 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ft Meade, SD (used) | 3,308 ft | May 8 | Oct 3 |
| Deadwood, SD | 4,670 ft | May 24 | Sep 25 |
| Lead, SD | 5,112 ft | May 18 | Sep 29 |
| Hereford 12 Sw, SD | 2,810 ft | May 8 | Oct 3 |
Frost dates near Fort Meade
- Sturgis, SD 57785 · last May 8, first Oct 3
- Whitewood, SD 57793 · last May 12, first Oct 2
- Piedmont, SD 57769 · last May 10, first Oct 5
- Deadwood, SD 57732 · last May 24, first Sep 25
- Nemo, SD 57759 · last May 28, first Sep 18
- Vale, SD 57788 · last May 8, first Oct 1
- Saint Onge, SD 57779 · last May 12, first Oct 2
- Nisland, SD 57762 · last May 8, first Oct 1
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Fort Meade, SD?
- For ZIP code 57741, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 8, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Ft Meade, SD weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 21.
- When is the first frost in Fort Meade, SD?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 3. 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 57741?
- 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.