Frost Dates for Aberdeen, SD 57401
Last spring frost May 8 · First fall frost September 23 · 138 frost-free days · USDA Zone 4a
ZIP 57401 has about 31,900 people.
Moderate season: 138 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 26–May 22 (26 days). Fall frost risk spans September 12–October 4 (22 days).
Frost probability for 57401
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | May 22 | May 8 | April 26 |
| Fall (first frost) | September 12 | September 23 | October 4 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at ABERDEEN RGNL AP (9.7 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 138-day season in Aberdeen
In Aberdeen (138 frost-free days, a moderate season), 38 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 17 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant out / sow | Days you have | Verdict | Last sow date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Apr 3 | May 22–May 29 | 96 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 96 available after May 22. | May 24 |
| Pepper | Mar 27 | May 22–May 29 | 96 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 96 available after May 22. | May 29 |
| Lettuce | Mar 13 | Apr 10–Apr 17 | 173 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 10 and again by Aug 2; both mature before Sep 30. | Aug 2 |
| Carrots | — | Apr 17–Apr 24 | 180 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 180 available after Apr 17. | Jul 22 |
| Cucumber | Apr 17 | May 22–May 29 | 110 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 110 available after May 22. | Jun 27 |
| Beans | — | May 15–May 29 | 124 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 124 available after May 15. | Jul 4 |
| Peas | — | Mar 13–May 22 | 201 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 201 available after Mar 13. | Jul 13 |
| Zucchini | Apr 24 | May 22–May 29 | 110 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 110 available after May 22. | Jul 2 |
| Onion | Feb 13 | Apr 10–Apr 24 | 173 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 173 available after Apr 10. | — |
| Spinach | — | Mar 13–May 1 | 215 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 13 and again by Aug 21; both mature before Oct 14. | Aug 21 |
| Kale | Feb 27 | Apr 10–Apr 24 | 187 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 10 and again by Aug 6; both mature before Oct 14. | Aug 6 |
| Broccoli | Mar 13 | Apr 10–Apr 24 | 173 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 173 available after Apr 10. | Jun 28 |
| Cabbage | Mar 13 | Apr 10–Apr 24 | 187 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 187 available after Apr 10. | Jul 22 |
| Radish | — | Mar 13–Jun 5 | 201 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 13 and again by Aug 22; both mature before Sep 30. | Aug 22 |
| Beets | — | Mar 13–Jun 5 | 201 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 13 and again by Jul 23; both mature before Sep 30. | Jul 23 |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 24–May 1 | 159 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 159 available after Apr 24. | — |
| Garlic | — | Sep 23 | 243 | overwinter: Plant Sep 23 to Oct 14; harvest the following summer. | Oct 14 |
| Strawberry | — | Apr 3–May 29 | 194 | perennial: A perennial: plant Apr 3; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Apr 10 | May 15–May 22 | 110 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 110 available after May 15. | Jun 5 |
| Pumpkin | Apr 24 | May 22–May 22 | 103 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 103 available after May 22. | — |
| Cauliflower | Mar 27 | May 1–May 15 | 152 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 152 available after May 1. | Jul 3 |
| Swiss Chard | Mar 13 | Apr 24–Apr 24 | 159 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 24 and again by Jul 23; both mature before Sep 30. | Jul 23 |
| Arugula | — | Mar 13–Jun 5 | 215 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 13 and again by Aug 21; both mature before Oct 14. | Aug 21 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Mar 13 | Apr 10–Apr 24 | 187 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 187 available after Apr 10. | Jun 22 |
| Butternut Squash | Apr 24 | May 22–May 29 | 103 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 103 available after May 22. | — |
| Eggplant | Mar 20 | May 22–May 29 | 96 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 96 available after May 22. | Jun 3 |
| Okra | Apr 10 | May 15–May 22 | 117 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 117 available after May 15. | Jul 2 |
| Basil | Apr 3 | May 29–May 29 | 103 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 103 available after May 29. | Jun 27 |
| Cilantro | — | Apr 10–May 1 | 173 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 10 and again by Jul 28; both mature before Sep 30. | Jul 28 |
| Parsley | Feb 27 | May 15–May 22 | 138 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 138 available after May 15. | Jul 8 |
| Celery | Feb 27 | May 15–May 29 | 138 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 138 available after May 15. | May 19 |
| Scallions | Feb 27 | Apr 10–Apr 24 | 187 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 10 and again by Aug 1; both mature before Oct 14. | Aug 1 |
| Turnip | — | Apr 10–Apr 24 | 187 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 10 and again by Aug 11; both mature before Oct 14. | Aug 11 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 27–Apr 10 | 201 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 27 and again by Aug 6; both mature before Oct 14. | Aug 6 |
| Bok Choy | Apr 10 | May 1–May 8 | 152 | two-plantings: Plant May 1 and again by Aug 2; both mature before Sep 30. | Aug 2 |
| Collards | Feb 27 | Apr 10–Apr 24 | 187 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 10 and again by Aug 1; both mature before Oct 14. | Aug 1 |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 24 | May 22–May 29 | 96 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 96 available after May 22. | — |
| Chives | Feb 13 | May 15–May 22 | 152 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 152 available after May 15. | — |
| Dill | — | Mar 13–Jun 5 | 201 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 13 and again by Jul 23; both mature before Sep 30. | Jul 23 |
| Oregano | Feb 27 | May 15–May 22 | 152 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 152 available after May 15. | — |
| Rosemary | Feb 13 | May 15–May 22 | 138 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 138 available after May 15. | — |
| Sage | Mar 13 | May 15–May 22 | 152 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 152 available after May 15. | — |
| Thyme | Feb 27 | May 15–May 22 | 152 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 152 available after May 15. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 27 | Apr 24–May 8 | 159 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 24 and again by Jul 28; both mature before Sep 30. | Jul 28 |
| Cosmos | Apr 10 | May 8–May 22 | 124 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 124 available after May 8. | Jun 27 |
| Lavender | Feb 13 | May 8–May 22 | 159 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 159 available after May 8. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 27 | May 8–May 15 | 124 | two-plantings: Plant May 8 and again by Jul 7; both mature before Sep 9. | Jul 7 |
| Melons | Apr 24 | May 22–May 29 | 96 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 96 available after May 22. | — |
| Mint | — | May 8–May 22 | 159 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 159 available after May 8. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Apr 10 | May 8–May 15 | 124 | two-plantings: Plant May 8 and again by Jul 2; both mature before Sep 9. | Jul 2 |
| Pole Beans | — | May 15–May 29 | 117 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 117 available after May 15. | Jun 22 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Apr 24 | May 22–May 29 | 103 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 103 available after May 22. | — |
| Sunflowers | — | May 8–May 22 | 124 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 124 available after May 8. | Jun 17 |
| Tomatillos | Mar 13 | May 15–May 22 | 103 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 103 available after May 15. | May 29 |
| Watermelon | Apr 24 | May 15–May 22 | 103 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 103 available after May 15. | May 24 |
| Yellow Squash | Apr 24 | May 22–May 29 | 110 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 110 available after May 22. | Jul 2 |
| Zinnias | Apr 10 | May 8–May 22 | 124 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 124 available after May 8. | Jun 27 |
Month by month in Aberdeen
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Plan your garden layout and order seeds. Research varieties suited to your frost dates. |
| February | Start indoors: Chives (Feb 13), Lavender (Feb 13), Onion (Feb 13), Rosemary (Feb 13), Celery (Feb 27), Collards (Feb 27), +5 more. |
| March | Start indoors: Broccoli (Mar 13), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 13), Cabbage (Mar 13), Lettuce (Mar 13), Sage (Mar 13), Swiss Chard (Mar 13), +6 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Mar 13), Beets (Mar 13), Dill (Mar 13), Peas (Mar 13), Radish (Mar 13), Spinach (Mar 13), +1 more. |
| April | Start indoors: Basil (Apr 3), Tomato (Apr 3), Bok Choy (Apr 10), Corn (Apr 10), Cosmos (Apr 10), Nasturtiums (Apr 10), +11 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (Apr 10), Turnip (Apr 10), Carrots (Apr 17), Potatoes (Apr 24). Transplant from: Broccoli (Apr 10), Brussel Sprouts (Apr 10), Cabbage (Apr 10), Collards (Apr 10), Kale (Apr 10), Lettuce (Apr 10), +4 more. Plant: Strawberry (Apr 3). |
| May | Direct sow from: Sunflowers (May 8), Beans (May 15), Pole Beans (May 15). Transplant from: Bok Choy (May 1), Cauliflower (May 1), Cosmos (May 8), Lavender (May 8), Marigolds (May 8), Mint (May 8), +25 more. Last frost around May 8. Last sowing dates: Celery (May 19), Tomato (May 24), Watermelon (May 24), Pepper (May 29), Tomatillos (May 29). |
| June | Last sowing dates: Eggplant (Jun 3), Corn (Jun 5), Sunflowers (Jun 17), Brussel Sprouts (Jun 22), Pole Beans (Jun 22), Basil (Jun 27), +4 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Nasturtiums (Jul 2), Okra (Jul 2), Yellow Squash (Jul 2), Zucchini (Jul 2), Cauliflower (Jul 3), Beans (Jul 4), +10 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Collards (Aug 1), Scallions (Aug 1), Bok Choy (Aug 2), Lettuce (Aug 2), Kale (Aug 6), Kohlrabi (Aug 6), +4 more. |
| September | Direct sow from: Garlic (Sep 23). First frost around September 23. |
| October | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Oct 14). |
| November | Clean up spent plants. Add compost to beds. Rest, review, and plan next year's garden. |
| December | Clean up spent plants. Add compost to beds. Rest, review, and plan next year's garden. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last frost date for Aberdeen, SD (ZIP 57401)?
The median last spring frost date for Aberdeen, SD (ZIP code 57401) is around May 8. This is the 50th-percentile date — meaning half of all years see frost end before this date. Use the 10% and 90% dates to understand the full range of risk in your area. One year in ten frost ends before April 26; one in ten it runs past May 22.
What is the first fall frost date in Aberdeen, SD?
The median first fall frost date for Aberdeen, SD is around September 23. Plan to harvest or protect frost-sensitive crops like tomatoes and peppers at least a week before this date to avoid losses. The first frost arrives around September 12 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Aberdeen, SD?
The frost-free growing season in Aberdeen is about 138 days. This window — from your last spring frost to your first fall frost — is when warm-season vegetables thrive. Cold-hardy crops like kale, spinach, and peas can extend your season by weeks on either side. In Aberdeen (138 frost-free days, a moderate season), 38 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 17 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is Aberdeen, SD?
Aberdeen, SD is in USDA hardiness zone 4a (2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map). Zones come from the average coldest winter temperature, so they tell you which perennials survive the winter; the frost dates on this page tell you when to plant.
When should I start tomatoes indoors in Aberdeen, SD?
Start tomatoes indoors Apr 3 and plant out May 22 in Aberdeen. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Aberdeen?
Two: plant Apr 10 and again by Aug 2; both mature before Sep 30.
When do I plant garlic in Aberdeen?
Sep 23 to Oct 14; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Huron (ZIP 57350) has 148 frost-free days, 10 more than Aberdeen (ZIP 57401). See Huron ZIP 57350 frost dates
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