Frost dates for 57754Lead, SD
The average last spring frost in Lead is May 18 and the average first fall frost is September 29, giving a typical growing season of about 133 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 18
- Average first fall frost
- Sep 29
- Growing season
- 133 days
Safer after Jun 1 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 15 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 197 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 17 · May 29 · Jun 14 | Sep 7 · Sep 21 · Oct 2 | 112 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | May 5 · May 18 · Jun 1 | Sep 15 · Sep 29 · Oct 13 | 133 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 22 · May 6 · May 21 | Sep 23 · Oct 7 · Oct 23 | 154 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Lead
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 17 – Jun 23 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Jun 3 – Jun 9 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 17 – May 18 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 17 – Jul 18 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | May 4 – Jun 2 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 17 – Jul 18 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 17 – Jun 19 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Jun 3 – Jul 18 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 17 – Jul 18 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Jun 3 – Jul 12 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Jun 3 – Jun 9 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 17 – Jul 18 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 10 – Jul 3 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 17 – Jun 2 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 17 – Jun 17 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 6 – Apr 2 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 4 – Jun 2 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 30 – May 3 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 4 – Jun 2 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 30 – Jun 9 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Jul 10 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 20 – Apr 17 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 17 – May 18 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 20 – Jun 19 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 19 – Jul 20 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 17 – Jul 3 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 19 – Aug 5 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 10 – May 24 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 6 – Aug 10 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 17 – Jun 7 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 19 – Aug 20 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 4 – May 24 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 12 – Jul 20 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 18 – Jul 3 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 20 – Jul 5 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 19 – Oct 20 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 57754 is matched to the NOAA station Lead, SD, 14.4 km away, at 5,112 ft elevation (1,099 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lead, SD (used) | 5,112 ft | May 18 | Sep 29 |
| Deadwood, SD | 4,670 ft | May 24 | Sep 25 |
| Rochford 2 Wnw, SD | 5,450 ft | — | — |
| Spearfish, SD | 3,633 ft | May 12 | Oct 2 |
Frost dates near Lead
- Deadwood, SD 57732 · last May 24, first Sep 25
- Spearfish, SD 57783 · last May 12, first Oct 2
- Nemo, SD 57759 · last May 28, first Sep 18
- Whitewood, SD 57793 · last May 12, first Oct 2
- Four Corners, WY 82715 · last —, first —
- Saint Onge, SD 57779 · last May 12, first Oct 2
- Beulah, WY 82712 · last May 12, first Oct 2
- Fort Meade, SD 57741 · last May 8, first Oct 3
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Lead, SD?
- For ZIP code 57754, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 18, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Lead, SD weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after June 1.
- When is the first frost in Lead, SD?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is September 29. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 15, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 57754?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 133 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.