Frost dates for 57755Ludlow, SD
The average last spring frost in Ludlow is May 16 and the average first fall frost is September 26, giving a typical growing season of about 131 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 16
- Average first fall frost
- Sep 26
- Growing season
- 131 days
Safer after May 29 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 9 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 201 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 14 · May 28 · Jun 13 | Sep 2 · Sep 16 · Sep 29 | 110 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | May 4 · May 16 · May 29 | Sep 9 · Sep 26 · Oct 8 | 131 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 22 · May 6 · May 19 | Sep 17 · Oct 4 · Oct 18 | 150 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Ludlow
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 15 – Jun 21 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Jun 1 – Jun 6 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 15 – May 16 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 15 – Jul 16 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | May 2 – May 31 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 15 – Jul 16 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 15 – Jun 16 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Jun 1 – Jul 16 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 15 – Jul 16 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Jun 1 – Jul 9 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Jun 1 – Jun 6 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 15 – Jul 16 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 8 – Jul 1 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 15 – May 31 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 15 – Jun 15 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Mar 31 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 2 – May 31 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 28 – May 1 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 2 – May 31 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 27 – Jun 6 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 26 – Jul 7 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 18 – Apr 15 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 15 – May 16 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 17 – Jun 16 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 16 – Jul 17 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 15 – Jul 1 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 16 – Aug 2 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – May 22 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Aug 7 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 15 – Jun 5 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 16 – Aug 17 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 2 – May 22 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 9 – Jul 17 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 16 – Jul 1 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 17 – Jul 2 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 16 – Oct 17 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 57755 is matched to the NOAA station Ludlow 3 Sse, SD, 6 km away, at 2,990 ft elevation (94 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ludlow 3 Sse, SD (used) | 2,990 ft | May 16 | Sep 26 |
| Ralph 1 N, SD | 2,790 ft | May 18 | Sep 23 |
| Buffalo Asos, SD | 3,004 ft | May 10 | Oct 1 |
| Antelope Rs, SD | 2,820 ft | May 19 | Sep 19 |
Frost dates near Ludlow
- Ralph, SD 57650 · last May 16, first Sep 26
- Scranton, ND 58653 · last May 16, first Sep 25
- Buffalo, SD 57720 · last May 10, first Oct 1
- Bowman, ND 58623 · last May 16, first Sep 25
- Reva, SD 57651 · last May 20, first Sep 19
- Reeder, ND 58649 · last May 24, first Sep 18
- Lodgepole, SD 57640 · last May 21, first Sep 21
- Rhame, ND 58651 · last May 16, first Sep 25
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Ludlow, SD?
- For ZIP code 57755, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 16, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Ludlow 3 Sse, SD weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 29.
- When is the first frost in Ludlow, SD?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is September 26. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 9, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 57755?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 131 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.