Frost Dates for Brookings, SD 57006
Last spring frost May 4 · First fall frost September 26 · 145 frost-free days · USDA Zone 4b
ZIP 57006 has about 24,200 people, the largest of 2 ZIP codes in Brookings.
Moderate season: 145 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 22–May 18 (26 days). Fall frost risk spans September 13–October 8 (25 days).
Frost probability for 57006
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | May 18 | May 4 | April 22 |
| Fall (first frost) | September 13 | September 26 | October 8 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at FLANDREAU (33.5 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Frost dates by ZIP code in Brookings, SD
| ZIP | Last spring frost (50%) | First fall frost (50%) | Zone |
|---|---|---|---|
| 57006 | May 4 | September 26 | 4b |
| 57007 | May 4 | September 26 | 4b |
Which crops fit a 145-day season in Brookings
In Brookings (145 frost-free days, a moderate season), 37 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 18 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant out / sow | Days you have | Verdict | Last sow date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Mar 30 | May 18–May 25 | 103 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 103 available after May 18. | May 27 |
| Pepper | Mar 23 | May 18–May 25 | 103 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 103 available after May 18. | Jun 1 |
| Lettuce | Mar 9 | Apr 6–Apr 13 | 180 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 6 and again by Aug 5; both mature before Oct 3. | Aug 5 |
| Carrots | — | Apr 13–Apr 20 | 187 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 187 available after Apr 13. | Jul 25 |
| Cucumber | Apr 13 | May 18–May 25 | 117 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 117 available after May 18. | Jun 30 |
| Beans | — | May 11–May 25 | 131 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 131 available after May 11. | Jul 7 |
| Peas | — | Mar 9–May 18 | 208 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 208 available after Mar 9. | Jul 16 |
| Zucchini | Apr 20 | May 18–May 25 | 117 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 117 available after May 18. | Jul 5 |
| Onion | Feb 9 | Apr 6–Apr 20 | 180 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 180 available after Apr 6. | — |
| Spinach | — | Mar 9–Apr 27 | 222 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 9 and again by Aug 24; both mature before Oct 17. | Aug 24 |
| Kale | Feb 23 | Apr 6–Apr 20 | 194 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 6 and again by Aug 9; both mature before Oct 17. | Aug 9 |
| Broccoli | Mar 9 | Apr 6–Apr 20 | 180 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 180 available after Apr 6. | Jul 1 |
| Cabbage | Mar 9 | Apr 6–Apr 20 | 194 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 194 available after Apr 6. | Jul 25 |
| Radish | — | Mar 9–Jun 1 | 208 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 9 and again by Aug 25; both mature before Oct 3. | Aug 25 |
| Beets | — | Mar 9–Jun 1 | 208 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 9 and again by Jul 26; both mature before Oct 3. | Jul 26 |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 20–Apr 27 | 166 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 166 available after Apr 20. | — |
| Garlic | — | Sep 26 | 250 | overwinter: Plant Sep 26 to Oct 17; harvest the following summer. | Oct 17 |
| Strawberry | — | Mar 30–May 25 | 201 | perennial: A perennial: plant Mar 30; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Apr 6 | May 11–May 18 | 117 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 117 available after May 11. | Jun 8 |
| Pumpkin | Apr 20 | May 18–May 18 | 110 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 110 available after May 18. | — |
| Cauliflower | Mar 23 | Apr 27–May 11 | 159 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 159 available after Apr 27. | Jul 6 |
| Swiss Chard | Mar 9 | Apr 20–Apr 20 | 166 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 20 and again by Jul 26; both mature before Oct 3. | Jul 26 |
| Arugula | — | Mar 9–Jun 1 | 222 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 9 and again by Aug 24; both mature before Oct 17. | Aug 24 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Mar 9 | Apr 6–Apr 20 | 194 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 194 available after Apr 6. | Jun 25 |
| Butternut Squash | Apr 20 | May 18–May 25 | 110 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 110 available after May 18. | — |
| Eggplant | Mar 16 | May 18–May 25 | 103 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 103 available after May 18. | Jun 6 |
| Okra | Apr 6 | May 11–May 18 | 124 | two-plantings: Plant May 11 and again by Jul 5; both mature before Sep 12. | Jul 5 |
| Basil | Mar 30 | May 25–May 25 | 110 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 110 available after May 25. | Jun 30 |
| Cilantro | — | Apr 6–Apr 27 | 180 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 6 and again by Jul 31; both mature before Oct 3. | Jul 31 |
| Parsley | Feb 23 | May 11–May 18 | 145 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 145 available after May 11. | Jul 11 |
| Celery | Feb 23 | May 11–May 25 | 145 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 145 available after May 11. | May 22 |
| Scallions | Feb 23 | Apr 6–Apr 20 | 194 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 6 and again by Aug 4; both mature before Oct 17. | Aug 4 |
| Turnip | — | Apr 6–Apr 20 | 194 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 6 and again by Aug 14; both mature before Oct 17. | Aug 14 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 23–Apr 6 | 208 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 23 and again by Aug 9; both mature before Oct 17. | Aug 9 |
| Bok Choy | Apr 6 | Apr 27–May 4 | 159 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 27 and again by Aug 5; both mature before Oct 3. | Aug 5 |
| Collards | Feb 23 | Apr 6–Apr 20 | 194 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 6 and again by Aug 4; both mature before Oct 17. | Aug 4 |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 20 | May 18–May 25 | 103 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 103 available after May 18. | May 22 |
| Chives | Feb 9 | May 11–May 18 | 159 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 159 available after May 11. | — |
| Dill | — | Mar 9–Jun 1 | 208 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 9 and again by Jul 26; both mature before Oct 3. | Jul 26 |
| Oregano | Feb 23 | May 11–May 18 | 159 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 159 available after May 11. | — |
| Rosemary | Feb 9 | May 11–May 18 | 145 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 145 available after May 11. | — |
| Sage | Mar 9 | May 11–May 18 | 159 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 159 available after May 11. | — |
| Thyme | Feb 23 | May 11–May 18 | 159 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 159 available after May 11. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 23 | Apr 20–May 4 | 166 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 20 and again by Jul 31; both mature before Oct 3. | Jul 31 |
| Cosmos | Apr 6 | May 4–May 18 | 131 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 131 available after May 4. | Jun 30 |
| Lavender | Feb 9 | May 4–May 18 | 166 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 166 available after May 4. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 23 | May 4–May 11 | 131 | two-plantings: Plant May 4 and again by Jul 10; both mature before Sep 12. | Jul 10 |
| Melons | Apr 20 | May 18–May 25 | 103 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 103 available after May 18. | May 22 |
| Mint | — | May 4–May 18 | 166 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 166 available after May 4. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Apr 6 | May 4–May 11 | 131 | two-plantings: Plant May 4 and again by Jul 5; both mature before Sep 12. | Jul 5 |
| Pole Beans | — | May 11–May 25 | 124 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 124 available after May 11. | Jun 25 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Apr 20 | May 18–May 25 | 110 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 110 available after May 18. | May 24 |
| Sunflowers | — | May 4–May 18 | 131 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 131 available after May 4. | Jun 20 |
| Tomatillos | Mar 9 | May 11–May 18 | 110 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 110 available after May 11. | Jun 1 |
| Watermelon | Apr 20 | May 11–May 18 | 110 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 110 available after May 11. | May 27 |
| Yellow Squash | Apr 20 | May 18–May 25 | 117 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 117 available after May 18. | Jul 5 |
| Zinnias | Apr 6 | May 4–May 18 | 131 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 131 available after May 4. | Jun 30 |
Month by month in Brookings
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Plan your garden layout and order seeds. Research varieties suited to your frost dates. |
| February | Start indoors: Chives (Feb 9), Lavender (Feb 9), Onion (Feb 9), Rosemary (Feb 9), Celery (Feb 23), Collards (Feb 23), +5 more. |
| March | Start indoors: Broccoli (Mar 9), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 9), Cabbage (Mar 9), Lettuce (Mar 9), Sage (Mar 9), Swiss Chard (Mar 9), +8 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Mar 9), Beets (Mar 9), Dill (Mar 9), Peas (Mar 9), Radish (Mar 9), Spinach (Mar 9), +1 more. Plant: Strawberry (Mar 30). |
| April | Start indoors: Bok Choy (Apr 6), Corn (Apr 6), Cosmos (Apr 6), Nasturtiums (Apr 6), Okra (Apr 6), Zinnias (Apr 6), +9 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (Apr 6), Turnip (Apr 6), Carrots (Apr 13), Potatoes (Apr 20). Transplant from: Broccoli (Apr 6), Brussel Sprouts (Apr 6), Cabbage (Apr 6), Collards (Apr 6), Kale (Apr 6), Lettuce (Apr 6), +6 more. |
| May | Direct sow from: Sunflowers (May 4), Beans (May 11), Pole Beans (May 11). Transplant from: Cosmos (May 4), Lavender (May 4), Marigolds (May 4), Mint (May 4), Nasturtiums (May 4), Zinnias (May 4), +23 more. Last frost around May 4. Last sowing dates: Cantaloupe (May 22), Celery (May 22), Melons (May 22), Spaghetti Squash (May 24), Tomato (May 27), Watermelon (May 27). |
| June | Last sowing dates: Pepper (Jun 1), Tomatillos (Jun 1), Eggplant (Jun 6), Corn (Jun 8), Sunflowers (Jun 20), Brussel Sprouts (Jun 25), +5 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Broccoli (Jul 1), Nasturtiums (Jul 5), Okra (Jul 5), Yellow Squash (Jul 5), Zucchini (Jul 5), Cauliflower (Jul 6), +11 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Collards (Aug 4), Scallions (Aug 4), Bok Choy (Aug 5), Lettuce (Aug 5), Kale (Aug 9), Kohlrabi (Aug 9), +4 more. |
| September | Direct sow from: Garlic (Sep 26). First frost around September 26. |
| October | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Oct 17). |
| 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 Brookings, SD (ZIP 57006)?
The median last spring frost date for Brookings, SD (ZIP code 57006) is around May 4. 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 22; one in ten it runs past May 18.
What is the first fall frost date in Brookings, SD?
The median first fall frost date for Brookings, SD is around September 26. 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 13 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Brookings, SD?
The frost-free growing season in Brookings is about 145 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 Brookings (145 frost-free days, a moderate season), 37 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 18 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is Brookings, SD?
Brookings, SD is in USDA hardiness zone 4b (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 Brookings, SD?
Start tomatoes indoors Mar 30 and plant out May 18 in Brookings. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Brookings?
Two: plant Apr 6 and again by Aug 5; both mature before Oct 3.
When do I plant garlic in Brookings?
Sep 26 to Oct 17; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Marshall (ZIP 56258) has 153 frost-free days, 8 more than Brookings (ZIP 57006). See Marshall ZIP 56258 frost dates
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