Frost dates for 57763Oelrichs, SD
The average last spring frost in Oelrichs is May 15 and the average first fall frost is September 30, giving a typical growing season of about 137 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 15
- Average first fall frost
- Sep 30
- Growing season
- 137 days
Safer after May 28 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 16 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 194 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 12 · May 25 · Jun 6 | Sep 9 · Sep 22 · Oct 4 | 119 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | May 4 · May 15 · May 28 | Sep 16 · Sep 30 · Oct 13 | 137 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 22 · May 6 · May 18 | Sep 25 · Oct 9 · Oct 22 | 155 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Oelrichs
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 10 |
| 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 20 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 31 – Jul 15 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 14 – Jul 15 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 31 – Jul 13 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 31 – Jun 10 |
| 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 31 – Jun 10 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 30 – Jul 11 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 17 – Apr 14 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 14 – May 15 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 21 – Jun 20 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 20 – Jul 21 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 14 – Jun 30 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 20 – Aug 6 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – May 21 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 7 – Aug 11 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 14 – Jun 4 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 20 – Aug 21 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 1 – May 21 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 13 – Jul 21 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 15 – Jun 30 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 21 – Jul 6 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 20 – Oct 21 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 57763 is matched to the NOAA station Oelrichs, SD, 4 km away, at 3,348 ft elevation (21 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oelrichs, SD (used) | 3,348 ft | May 15 | Sep 30 |
| Oral, SD | 2,960 ft | May 15 | Sep 27 |
| Chadron Muni Ap, NE | 3,318 ft | May 14 | Sep 30 |
| Hot Springs, SD | 3,560 ft | May 16 | Sep 27 |
Frost dates near Oelrichs
- Smithwick, SD 57782 · last May 15, first Sep 30
- Oral, SD 57766 · last May 15, first Sep 27
- Hot Springs, SD 57747 · last May 16, first Sep 27
- Buffalo Gap, SD 57722 · last May 15, first Sep 27
- Oglala, SD 57764 · last May 7, first Oct 4
- Chadron, NE 69337 · last May 15, first Sep 28
- Whitney, NE 69367 · last May 15, first Sep 28
- Pine Ridge, SD 57770 · last May 16, first Sep 27
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Oelrichs, SD?
- For ZIP code 57763, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 15, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Oelrichs, SD weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 28.
- When is the first frost in Oelrichs, SD?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is September 30. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 16, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 57763?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 137 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.