Frost dates for 57780Scenic, SD
The average last spring frost in Scenic is May 17 and the average first fall frost is September 25, giving a typical growing season of about 130 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 17
- Average first fall frost
- Sep 25
- Growing season
- 130 days
Safer after Jun 1 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 10 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 196 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 15 · May 28 · Jun 16 | Sep 1 · Sep 16 · Sep 29 | 109 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | May 3 · May 17 · Jun 1 | Sep 10 · Sep 25 · Oct 7 | 130 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 24 · May 7 · May 22 | Sep 19 · Oct 3 · Oct 15 | 148 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Scenic
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 16 – Jun 22 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Jun 2 – Jun 5 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 16 – May 17 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 16 – Jul 17 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | May 3 – Jun 1 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 16 – Jul 17 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 16 – Jun 15 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Jun 2 – Jul 17 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 16 – Jul 17 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Jun 2 – Jul 8 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Jun 2 – Jun 5 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 16 – Jul 17 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 9 – Jul 2 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 16 – Jun 1 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 16 – Jun 16 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 1 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 3 – Jun 1 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 29 – May 2 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 3 – Jun 1 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 26 – Jun 5 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Jul 6 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 19 – Apr 16 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 16 – May 17 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 16 – Jun 15 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 15 – Jul 16 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 16 – Jul 2 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 15 – Aug 1 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 9 – May 23 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Aug 6 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 16 – Jun 6 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 15 – Aug 16 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 3 – May 23 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 8 – Jul 16 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 17 – Jul 2 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 16 – Jul 1 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 15 – Oct 16 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 57780 is matched to the NOAA station Porcupine 11 N, SD, 46.5 km away, at 2,820 ft elevation (28 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Porcupine 11 N, SD (used) | 2,820 ft | May 17 | Sep 25 |
| Wasta, SD | 2,328 ft | May 10 | Oct 1 |
| Interior 3 Ne, SD | 2,440 ft | May 5 | Oct 7 |
| Rapid City Rgnl Ap, SD | 3,160 ft | May 12 | Oct 1 |
Frost dates near Scenic
- Caputa, SD 57725 · last May 12, first Oct 1
- Owanka, SD 57767 · last May 10, first Oct 1
- Wall, SD 57790 · last May 10, first Oct 1
- New Underwood, SD 57761 · last May 12, first Oct 1
- Interior, SD 57750 · last May 5, first Oct 7
- Wasta, SD 57791 · last May 10, first Oct 1
- Kyle, SD 57752 · last May 11, first Oct 1
- Quinn, SD 57775 · last May 16, first Sep 26
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Scenic, SD?
- For ZIP code 57780, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 17, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Porcupine 11 N, SD weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after June 1.
- When is the first frost in Scenic, SD?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is September 25. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 10, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 57780?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 130 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.