Frost dates for 57748Howes, SD
The average last spring frost in Howes is May 15 and the average first fall frost is September 27, giving a typical growing season of about 134 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 15
- Average first fall frost
- Sep 27
- Growing season
- 134 days
Safer after May 29 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 14 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 200 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 13 · May 25 · Jun 10 | Sep 6 · Sep 20 · Oct 1 | 116 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | May 3 · May 15 · May 29 | Sep 14 · Sep 27 · Oct 10 | 134 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 21 · May 5 · May 19 | Sep 22 · Oct 6 · Oct 19 | 152 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Howes
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 14 – Jun 20 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 31 – Jun 7 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 14 – May 15 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 14 – Jul 15 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | May 1 – May 30 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 14 – Jul 15 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 14 – Jun 17 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 31 – Jul 15 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 14 – Jul 15 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 31 – Jul 10 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 31 – Jun 7 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 14 – Jul 15 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 7 – Jun 30 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 14 – May 30 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 14 – Jun 14 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 3 – Mar 30 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 1 – May 30 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 27 – Apr 30 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 1 – May 30 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 28 – Jun 7 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 27 – Jul 8 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 17 – Apr 14 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 14 – May 15 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 18 – Jun 17 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 17 – Jul 18 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 14 – Jun 30 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 17 – Aug 3 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – May 21 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Aug 8 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 14 – Jun 4 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 17 – Aug 18 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 1 – May 21 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 10 – Jul 18 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 15 – Jun 30 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 18 – Jul 3 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 17 – Oct 18 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 57748 is matched to the NOAA station Plainview 6 Ssw, SD, 17 km away, at 2,377 ft elevation (31 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plainview 6 Ssw, SD (used) | 2,377 ft | May 15 | Sep 27 |
| Milesville 5 Ne, SD | 2,237 ft | May 8 | Oct 2 |
| Red Owl, SD | 2,773 ft | May 16 | Sep 26 |
| Elm Springs 3 Ese, SD | 2,645 ft | May 8 | Oct 3 |
Frost dates near Howes
- Milesville, SD 57553 · last May 8, first Oct 2
- White Owl, SD 57792 · last May 16, first Sep 26
- Cherry Creek, SD 57622 · last May 6, first Oct 4
- Enning, SD 57737 · last May 16, first Sep 26
- Faith, SD 57626 · last May 6, first Oct 5
- Wasta, SD 57791 · last May 10, first Oct 1
- Quinn, SD 57775 · last May 16, first Sep 26
- Union Center, SD 57787 · last May 16, first Sep 26
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Howes, SD?
- For ZIP code 57748, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 15, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Plainview 6 Ssw, SD weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 29.
- When is the first frost in Howes, SD?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is September 27. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 14, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 57748?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 134 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.