Frost dates for 57772Porcupine, SD
The average last spring frost in Porcupine is May 9 and the average first fall frost is October 4, giving a typical growing season of about 147 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 9
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 4
- Growing season
- 147 days
Safer after May 24 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 20 (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 7 · May 20 · Jun 3 | Sep 12 · Sep 25 · Oct 8 | 128 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 27 · May 9 · May 24 | Sep 20 · Oct 4 · Oct 17 | 147 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 15 · Apr 30 · May 13 | Sep 28 · Oct 14 · Oct 27 | 166 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Porcupine
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 8 – Jun 14 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 25 – Jun 14 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 8 – May 9 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 8 – Jul 9 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 25 – May 24 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 8 – Jul 9 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 8 – Jun 24 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 25 – Jul 9 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 8 – Jul 9 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 25 – Jul 17 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 25 – Jun 14 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 8 – Jul 9 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 1 – Jun 24 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – May 24 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – Jun 8 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 25 – Mar 24 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 25 – May 24 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 21 – Apr 24 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 25 – May 24 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 4 – Jun 14 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Jul 15 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 11 – Apr 8 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – May 9 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 25 – Jun 24 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 24 – Jul 25 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – Jun 24 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 24 – Aug 10 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – May 15 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Aug 15 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – May 29 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 24 – Aug 25 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 25 – May 15 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 17 – Jul 25 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 9 – Jun 24 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 25 – Jul 10 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 24 – Oct 25 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 57772 is matched to the NOAA station Manderson 3 Ne, SD, 9.1 km away, at 3,095 ft elevation (97 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manderson 3 Ne, SD (used) | 3,095 ft | May 9 | Oct 4 |
| Porcupine 11 N, SD | 2,820 ft | May 17 | Sep 25 |
| Kyle 2 E, SD | 2,958 ft | May 11 | Oct 1 |
| Pine Ridge Ap, SD | 3,278 ft | May 16 | Sep 27 |
Frost dates near Porcupine
- Manderson, SD 57756 · last May 9, first Oct 4
- Wounded Knee, SD 57794 · last May 16, first Sep 27
- Batesland, SD 57716 · last May 16, first Sep 27
- Kyle, SD 57752 · last May 11, first Oct 1
- Pine Ridge, SD 57770 · last May 16, first Sep 27
- Whiteclay, NE 69365 · last May 16, first Sep 27
- Allen, SD 57714 · last May 13, first Oct 2
- Oglala, SD 57764 · last May 7, first Oct 4
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Porcupine, SD?
- For ZIP code 57772, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 9, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Manderson 3 Ne, SD weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 24.
- When is the first frost in Porcupine, SD?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 4. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 20, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 57772?
- 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.