§ When to plant · South Dakota · Checked Sept 2026

When to plant vegetables in South Dakota

In Sioux Falls, tender crops like tomatoes and peppers can go out around May 8, and frost has historically passed 9 years in 10 by May 19. Cool-season crops go in from April.

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§ 010 · Frost dates

Frost dates across South Dakota

Based on NOAA's 1991–2020 station records, with adjustments for tender crops.

City · NOAA station	Last frost, on average	Plant tender crops from	Frost is over, 9 of 10 years by	Fall frost possible from
AberdeenABERDEEN 3 E · 4 km	May 8	May 20May 20	May 31	Sep 17
Belle FourcheBELLE FOURCHE · 1 km	May 10	May 23May 23	Jun 4	Sep 16
Box ElderRAPID CITY REGIONAL AIRPORT · 8 km	May 12	May 25May 25	Jun 6	Sep 16
BrandonSIOUX FALLS · 12 km	May 1	May 12May 12	May 23	Sep 23
BrookingsBROOKINGS 2 NORTHEAST · 3 km	May 6	May 18May 18	May 29	Sep 17
Dell RapidsSIOUX FALLS 14 NNE · 12 km	May 1	May 13May 13	May 24	Sep 21
HarrisburgCANTON · 16 km	May 2	May 14May 14	May 25	Sep 19
Hot SpringsHOT SPRINGS · 2 km	May 16	May 30May 30	Jun 12	Sep 12
HuronHURON REGIONAL AIRPORT · 4 km	May 6	May 17May 17	May 28	Sep 19
MadisonMADISON 2SE · 2 km	May 5	May 17May 17	May 29	Sep 18
MitchellMITCHELL 2 N · 1 km	May 2	May 14May 14	May 25	Sep 23
PierrePIERRE REGIONAL AIRPORT · 3 km	May 6	May 18May 18	May 30	Sep 20
Rapid CityRAPID CITY WFO · 1 km	May 3	May 16May 16	May 29	Sep 26
Sioux FallsSIOUX FALLS WFO AIRPORT · 6 km	Apr 26	May 8May 8	May 19	Sep 28
SpearfishSPEARFISH · 4 km	May 12	May 24May 24	Jun 4	Sep 21
SturgisFORT MEADE · 2 km	May 8	May 20May 20	May 31	Sep 19
TeaSIOUX FALLS WFO AIRPORT · 17 km	Apr 26	May 8May 8	May 19	Sep 28
VermillionVERMILLION 2 SOUTHEAST · 2 km	May 3	May 14May 14	May 25	Sep 20
WatertownWATERTOWN REGIONAL AIRPORT · 1 km	May 7	May 19May 19	May 31	Sep 19
YanktonYANKTON 2 E · 3 km	Apr 27	May 8May 8	May 18	Sep 27

South Dakota's 20 largest cities (U.S. Census Bureau 2025 estimates), A to Z, each with its nearest NOAA station and the distance to it. Search any town to get its nearest station. "Plant tender crops from" is halfway between the average last frost and the date frost is over 9 years in 10; if frost is in the forecast after it, wait until it passes and nights stay above 36°F.

§ 020 · What to plant

What to plant in South Dakota, and when

Planting windows from South Dakota's Cooperative Extension Service. Filter by season or crop group; every view has its own link.

Season

Crops

Link to this view getezina.com/when-to-plant/south-dakota/

Dark green: fall planting window
Light green: spring and summer planting window
TenderKilled by frost: spring planting from the "plant tender crops from" date for your city

Greens & cabbages
Broccoli
Cabbage
Cauliflower
Kohlrabi
Lettuce
Roots & bulbs
Beets
Carrots
Onions
Parsnips
Potatoes
Radishes
Turnips
Fruiting
CantaloupeTender
CucumbersTender
EggplantTender
Green beansTender
Lima beansTender
Peas
PeppersTender
PumpkinsTender
Summer squashTender
Sweet cornTender
TomatoesTender
WatermelonTender
Winter squashTender
Herbs
Parsley
Perennials
Asparagus
Rhubarb

§ 030 · Crop by crop

Planting in South Dakota

Each crop has its own link, like #tomatoes. Tender crops wait for the frost dates above; succession crops are sown again every few weeks for a steady harvest.

Dark green: fall planting window
Light green: spring and summer planting window

Asparagus

Asparagus officinalis

Perennial

Plant April.

Source: SDSU Extension, South Dakota State University, Vegetable Gardening in South Dakota. Days to harvest: Ezina crop catalog, from state extension guides.

Beets

Beta vulgaris

Cool seasonSuccession sow

Beets — Photo by W.carter / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Wikimedia Commons

Plant April to July.

Ready in about 58 days; sow again every 6 weeks.

Source: SDSU Extension, South Dakota State University, Vegetable Gardening in South Dakota. Days to harvest: Ezina crop catalog, from state extension guides.

Broccoli

Brassica oleracea

Cool season

Broccoli — Photo by Kolforn / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Wikimedia Commons

Set out transplants April to May.

Ready in about 95 days from seed, 65 from transplants.

Source: SDSU Extension, South Dakota State University, Vegetable Gardening in South Dakota. Days to harvest: Ezina crop catalog, from state extension guides.

Cabbage

Brassica oleracea

Cool season

Cabbage — Photo by Biswarup Ganguly / CC BY-SA 3.0 / Wikimedia Commons

Set out transplants April to May.

Ready in about 110 days from seed, 80 from transplants.

Source: SDSU Extension, South Dakota State University, Vegetable Gardening in South Dakota. Days to harvest: Ezina crop catalog, from state extension guides.

Cantaloupe

Cucumis melo

Tender

Cantaloupe — Photo by Seth Vidal / CC BY-SA 2.0 / Wikimedia Commons

Plant May to June.

Ready in about 80 days from seed, 70 from transplants. Tender: in spring, from about May 8 in Sioux Falls. If frost is in the forecast, hold off until it passes and nights stay above 36°F.

Source: SDSU Extension, South Dakota State University, Vegetable Gardening in South Dakota. Days to harvest: Ezina crop catalog, from state extension guides.

Carrots

Daucus carota

Cool seasonSuccession sow

Carrots — Photo by Evan-Amos / Public domain / Wikimedia Commons

Plant April to June.

Ready in about 70 days; sow again every 7 weeks.

Source: SDSU Extension, South Dakota State University, Vegetable Gardening in South Dakota. Days to harvest: Ezina crop catalog, from state extension guides.

Cauliflower

Brassica oleracea

Cool season

Cauliflower — Photo by Coyau / CC BY-SA 3.0 / Wikimedia Commons

Set out transplants April to June.

Ready in about 95 days from seed, 68 from transplants.

Source: SDSU Extension, South Dakota State University, Vegetable Gardening in South Dakota. Days to harvest: Ezina crop catalog, from state extension guides.

Cucumbers

Cucumis sativus

TenderSuccession sow

Cucumbers — Photo by Stephen Ausmus, USDA ARS / Public domain / Wikimedia Commons

Plant May to June.

Ready in about 58 days from seed, 50 from transplants; sow again every 7 weeks. Tender: in spring, from about May 8 in Sioux Falls. If frost is in the forecast, hold off until it passes and nights stay above 36°F.

Source: SDSU Extension, South Dakota State University, Vegetable Gardening in South Dakota. Days to harvest: Ezina crop catalog, from state extension guides.

Eggplant

Solanum melongena

Tender

Eggplant — Photo by Billjones94 / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Wikimedia Commons

Set out transplants May to June.

Ready in about 75 days from transplants. Tender: in spring, from about May 8 in Sioux Falls. If frost is in the forecast, hold off until it passes and nights stay above 36°F.

Source: SDSU Extension, South Dakota State University, Vegetable Gardening in South Dakota. Days to harvest: Ezina crop catalog, from state extension guides.

Green beans

Phaseolus vulgaris

TenderSuccession sow

Green beans — Photo by Juan Carlos Fonseca Mata / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Wikimedia Commons

Plant May to July.

Ready in about 65 days; sow again every 5 weeks. Tender: in spring, from about May 8 in Sioux Falls. If frost is in the forecast, hold off until it passes and nights stay above 36°F.

Source: SDSU Extension, South Dakota State University, Vegetable Gardening in South Dakota. Days to harvest: Ezina crop catalog, from state extension guides.

Kohlrabi

Brassica oleracea

Cool season

Kohlrabi — Photo by Unknown author / CC0 / Wikimedia Commons

Plant April to May.

Ready in about 55 days from seed, 45 from transplants.

Source: SDSU Extension, South Dakota State University, Vegetable Gardening in South Dakota. Days to harvest: Ezina crop catalog, from state extension guides.

Lettuce

Lactuca sativa

Cool seasonSuccession sow

Lettuce — Photo by Geo Lightspeed7 / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Wikimedia Commons

Plant April to May.

Ready in about 45 days from seed, 30 from transplants; sow again every 6 weeks.

Source: SDSU Extension, South Dakota State University, Vegetable Gardening in South Dakota. Days to harvest: Ezina crop catalog, from state extension guides.

Lima beans

Phaseolus lunatus

Tender

Lima beans — Photo by Jud McCranie / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Wikimedia Commons

Plant May to June.

Ready in about 75 days. Tender: in spring, from about May 8 in Sioux Falls. If frost is in the forecast, hold off until it passes and nights stay above 36°F.

Source: SDSU Extension, South Dakota State University, Vegetable Gardening in South Dakota. Days to harvest: Ezina crop catalog, from state extension guides.

Onions

Allium cepa

Cool season

Onions — Photo by Stephen Ausmus, USDA ARS / Public domain / Wikimedia Commons

Plant April to May.

Ready in about 110 days from seed, 95 from transplants.

Source: SDSU Extension, South Dakota State University, Vegetable Gardening in South Dakota. Days to harvest: Ezina crop catalog, from state extension guides.

Parsley

Petroselinum crispum

Cool season

Parsley — Photo by H. Zell / CC BY-SA 3.0 / Wikimedia Commons

Plant April to May.

Ready in about 78 days from seed, 50 from transplants.

Source: SDSU Extension, South Dakota State University, Vegetable Gardening in South Dakota. Days to harvest: Ezina crop catalog, from state extension guides.

Parsnips

Pastinaca sativa

Cool season

Parsnips — Photo by Jeffery Martin / CC0 / Wikimedia Commons

Plant April to May.

Ready in about 120 days.

Source: SDSU Extension, South Dakota State University, Vegetable Gardening in South Dakota. Days to harvest: Ezina crop catalog, from state extension guides.

Peas

Pisum sativum

Cool seasonSuccession sow

Peas — Photo by David Adam Kess / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Wikimedia Commons

Plant April to May.

Ready in about 65 days; sow again every 5 weeks.

Source: SDSU Extension, South Dakota State University, Vegetable Gardening in South Dakota. Days to harvest: Ezina crop catalog, from state extension guides.

Peppers

Capsicum annuum

Tender

Peppers — Photo by Kham Tran - www.khamtran.com / CC BY-SA 3.0 / Wikimedia Commons

Set out transplants May to June.

Ready in about 70 days from transplants. Tender: in spring, from about May 8 in Sioux Falls. If frost is in the forecast, hold off until it passes and nights stay above 36°F.

Source: SDSU Extension, South Dakota State University, Vegetable Gardening in South Dakota. Days to harvest: Ezina crop catalog, from state extension guides.

Potatoes

Solanum tuberosum

Cool season

Potatoes — Photo by Howard, R.A / Public domain / Smithsonian Institution, Richard A. Howard Photograph Collection / via USDA PLANTS

Plant April to May.

Ready in about 100 days.

Source: SDSU Extension, South Dakota State University, Vegetable Gardening in South Dakota. Days to harvest: Ezina crop catalog, from state extension guides.

Pumpkins

Cucurbita pepo

Tender

Pumpkins — Photo by HalfGig / CC BY-SA 3.0 / Wikimedia Commons

Plant May to June.

Ready in about 110 days from seed, 95 from transplants. Tender: in spring, from about May 8 in Sioux Falls. If frost is in the forecast, hold off until it passes and nights stay above 36°F.

Source: SDSU Extension, South Dakota State University, Vegetable Gardening in South Dakota. Days to harvest: Ezina crop catalog, from state extension guides.

Radishes

Raphanus sativus

Cool seasonSuccession sow

Radishes — Photo by Rasbak / CC BY-SA 3.0 / Wikimedia Commons

Plant April to May.

Ready in about 28 days; sow again every 3 weeks.

Source: SDSU Extension, South Dakota State University, Vegetable Gardening in South Dakota. Days to harvest: Ezina crop catalog, from state extension guides.

Rhubarb

Rheum rhabarbarum

Perennial

Rhubarb — Photo by DeFacto / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Wikimedia Commons

Plant April.

Source: SDSU Extension, South Dakota State University, Vegetable Gardening in South Dakota. Days to harvest: Ezina crop catalog, from state extension guides.

Summer squash

Cucurbita pepo

TenderSuccession sow

Summer squash — Photo by INRA DIST from France / CC BY 2.0 / Wikimedia Commons

Plant May to June.

Ready in about 50 days from seed, 40 from transplants; sow again every 7 weeks. Tender: in spring, from about May 8 in Sioux Falls. If frost is in the forecast, hold off until it passes and nights stay above 36°F.

Source: SDSU Extension, South Dakota State University, Vegetable Gardening in South Dakota. Days to harvest: Ezina crop catalog, from state extension guides.

Sweet corn

Zea mays

TenderSuccession sow

Sweet corn — Photo by Royalbroil / CC BY-SA 2.5 / Wikimedia Commons

Plant May to July.

Ready in about 78 days; sow again every 6 weeks. Tender: in spring, from about May 8 in Sioux Falls. If frost is in the forecast, hold off until it passes and nights stay above 36°F.

Source: SDSU Extension, South Dakota State University, Vegetable Gardening in South Dakota. Days to harvest: Ezina crop catalog, from state extension guides.

Tomatoes

Solanum lycopersicum

Tender

Tomatoes — Photo by Michal Klajban / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Wikimedia Commons

Set out transplants May to June.

Ready in about 75 days from transplants. Tender: in spring, from about May 8 in Sioux Falls. If frost is in the forecast, hold off until it passes and nights stay above 36°F.

Source: SDSU Extension, South Dakota State University, Vegetable Gardening in South Dakota. Days to harvest: Ezina crop catalog, from state extension guides.

Turnips

Brassica rapa

Cool seasonSuccession sow

Turnips — Photo by thebittenword.com / CC BY 2.0 / Wikimedia Commons

Plant April to June.

Ready in about 50 days; sow again every 5 weeks.

Source: SDSU Extension, South Dakota State University, Vegetable Gardening in South Dakota. Days to harvest: Ezina crop catalog, from state extension guides.

Watermelon

Citrullus lanatus

Tender

Watermelon — Photo by F ASTILY / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Wikimedia Commons

Plant May to June.

Ready in about 85 days from seed, 75 from transplants. Tender: in spring, from about May 8 in Sioux Falls. If frost is in the forecast, hold off until it passes and nights stay above 36°F.

Source: SDSU Extension, South Dakota State University, Vegetable Gardening in South Dakota. Days to harvest: Ezina crop catalog, from state extension guides.

Winter squash

Cucurbita moschata

Tender

Winter squash — Photo by Howard, R.A / Public domain / Smithsonian Institution, Richard A. Howard Photograph Collection / via USDA PLANTS

Plant May to June.

Ready in about 95 days from seed, 80 from transplants. Tender: in spring, from about May 8 in Sioux Falls. If frost is in the forecast, hold off until it passes and nights stay above 36°F.

Source: SDSU Extension, South Dakota State University, Vegetable Gardening in South Dakota. Days to harvest: Ezina crop catalog, from state extension guides.

§ 040 · Questions

Questions about planting in South Dakota

When is the last frost in South Dakota?

On average from about April 26 in Sioux Falls to May 16 in Hot Springs. Frost is over 9 years in 10 by May 18 to June 12.

When can I plant tomatoes in South Dakota?

The extension service lists May to June. Tomatoes are frost-tender, so Ezina dates them from about May 8 in Sioux Falls. If frost is in the forecast, wait until it passes.

Why not use my USDA zone?

A zone is the coldest winter night, not a frost date. These dates come from NOAA station records and the extension service.

Can Ezina date plantings for my address?

Yes. Run Ezina Dig on your address and your bed plans are dated from that site's own frost records, on iPhone and Android in the contiguous U.S.

Changes

29 Sept 2026: page published.

Sources

SDSU Extension, South Dakota State University: Vegetable Gardening in South Dakota.

NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station freeze probabilities. U.S. Census Bureau, Vintage 2025 city and town population estimates and 2020 place gazetteer. Days to harvest and re-sowing intervals: Ezina's crop catalog, compiled from state Cooperative Extension guides. Photos: Wikimedia Commons and USDA PLANTS, credited under each photo. Checked Sept 2026.