Frost Dates for Vermillion, SD 57069
Last spring frost May 2 · First fall frost September 29 · 150 frost-free days · USDA Zone 5a
ZIP 57069 has about 13,100 people.
Moderate season: 150 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 17–May 16 (29 days). Fall frost risk spans September 18–October 11 (23 days).
Frost probability for 57069
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | May 16 | May 2 | April 17 |
| Fall (first frost) | September 18 | September 29 | October 11 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at VERMILLION 2 SE (10.6 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 150-day season in Vermillion
In Vermillion (150 frost-free days, a moderate season), 34 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 21 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant out / sow | Days you have | Verdict | Last sow date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Mar 28 | May 16–May 23 | 108 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 108 available after May 16. | May 30 |
| Pepper | Mar 21 | May 16–May 23 | 108 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 108 available after May 16. | Jun 4 |
| Lettuce | Mar 7 | Apr 4–Apr 11 | 185 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 4 and again by Aug 8; both mature before Oct 6. | Aug 8 |
| Carrots | — | Apr 11–Apr 18 | 192 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 192 available after Apr 11. | Jul 28 |
| Cucumber | Apr 11 | May 16–May 23 | 122 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 122 available after May 16. | Jul 3 |
| Beans | — | May 9–May 23 | 136 | two-plantings: Plant May 9 and again by Jul 10; both mature before Sep 22. | Jul 10 |
| Peas | — | Mar 7–May 16 | 213 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 213 available after Mar 7. | Jul 19 |
| Zucchini | Apr 18 | May 16–May 23 | 122 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 122 available after May 16. | Jul 8 |
| Onion | Feb 7 | Apr 4–Apr 18 | 185 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 185 available after Apr 4. | — |
| Spinach | — | Mar 7–Apr 25 | 227 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 7 and again by Aug 27; both mature before Oct 20. | Aug 27 |
| Kale | Feb 21 | Apr 4–Apr 18 | 199 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 4 and again by Aug 12; both mature before Oct 20. | Aug 12 |
| Broccoli | Mar 7 | Apr 4–Apr 18 | 185 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 185 available after Apr 4. | Jul 4 |
| Cabbage | Mar 7 | Apr 4–Apr 18 | 199 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 199 available after Apr 4. | Jul 28 |
| Radish | — | Mar 7–May 30 | 213 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 7 and again by Aug 28; both mature before Oct 6. | Aug 28 |
| Beets | — | Mar 7–May 30 | 213 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 7 and again by Jul 29; both mature before Oct 6. | Jul 29 |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 18–Apr 25 | 171 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 171 available after Apr 18. | — |
| Garlic | — | Sep 29 | 255 | overwinter: Plant Sep 29 to Oct 20; harvest the following summer. | Oct 20 |
| Strawberry | — | Mar 28–May 23 | 206 | perennial: A perennial: plant Mar 28; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Apr 4 | May 9–May 16 | 122 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 122 available after May 9. | Jun 11 |
| Pumpkin | Apr 18 | May 16–May 16 | 115 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 115 available after May 16. | May 17 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 21 | Apr 25–May 9 | 164 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 164 available after Apr 25. | Jul 9 |
| Swiss Chard | Mar 7 | Apr 18–Apr 18 | 171 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 18 and again by Jul 29; both mature before Oct 6. | Jul 29 |
| Arugula | — | Mar 7–May 30 | 227 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 7 and again by Aug 27; both mature before Oct 20. | Aug 27 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Mar 7 | Apr 4–Apr 18 | 199 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 199 available after Apr 4. | Jun 28 |
| Butternut Squash | Apr 18 | May 16–May 23 | 115 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 115 available after May 16. | May 17 |
| Eggplant | Mar 14 | May 16–May 23 | 108 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 108 available after May 16. | Jun 9 |
| Okra | Apr 4 | May 9–May 16 | 129 | two-plantings: Plant May 9 and again by Jul 8; both mature before Sep 15. | Jul 8 |
| Basil | Mar 28 | May 23–May 23 | 115 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 115 available after May 23. | Jul 3 |
| Cilantro | — | Apr 4–Apr 25 | 185 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 4 and again by Aug 3; both mature before Oct 6. | Aug 3 |
| Parsley | Feb 21 | May 9–May 16 | 150 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 150 available after May 9. | Jul 14 |
| Celery | Feb 21 | May 9–May 23 | 150 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 150 available after May 9. | May 25 |
| Scallions | Feb 21 | Apr 4–Apr 18 | 199 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 4 and again by Aug 7; both mature before Oct 20. | Aug 7 |
| Turnip | — | Apr 4–Apr 18 | 199 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 4 and again by Aug 17; both mature before Oct 20. | Aug 17 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 21–Apr 4 | 213 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 21 and again by Aug 12; both mature before Oct 20. | Aug 12 |
| Bok Choy | Apr 4 | Apr 25–May 2 | 164 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 25 and again by Aug 8; both mature before Oct 6. | Aug 8 |
| Collards | Feb 21 | Apr 4–Apr 18 | 199 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 4 and again by Aug 7; both mature before Oct 20. | Aug 7 |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 18 | May 16–May 23 | 108 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 108 available after May 16. | May 25 |
| Chives | Feb 7 | May 9–May 16 | 164 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 164 available after May 9. | — |
| Dill | — | Mar 7–May 30 | 213 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 7 and again by Jul 29; both mature before Oct 6. | Jul 29 |
| Oregano | Feb 21 | May 9–May 16 | 164 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 164 available after May 9. | — |
| Rosemary | Feb 7 | May 9–May 16 | 150 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 150 available after May 9. | — |
| Sage | Mar 7 | May 9–May 16 | 164 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 164 available after May 9. | — |
| Thyme | Feb 21 | May 9–May 16 | 164 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 164 available after May 9. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 21 | Apr 18–May 2 | 171 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 18 and again by Aug 3; both mature before Oct 6. | Aug 3 |
| Cosmos | Apr 4 | May 2–May 16 | 136 | two-plantings: Plant May 2 and again by Jul 3; both mature before Sep 15. | Jul 3 |
| Lavender | Feb 7 | May 2–May 16 | 171 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 171 available after May 2. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 21 | May 2–May 9 | 136 | two-plantings: Plant May 2 and again by Jul 13; both mature before Sep 15. | Jul 13 |
| Melons | Apr 18 | May 16–May 23 | 108 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 108 available after May 16. | May 25 |
| Mint | — | May 2–May 16 | 171 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 171 available after May 2. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Apr 4 | May 2–May 9 | 136 | two-plantings: Plant May 2 and again by Jul 8; both mature before Sep 15. | Jul 8 |
| Pole Beans | — | May 9–May 23 | 129 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 129 available after May 9. | Jun 28 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Apr 18 | May 16–May 23 | 115 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 115 available after May 16. | May 27 |
| Sunflowers | — | May 2–May 16 | 136 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 136 available after May 2. | Jun 23 |
| Tomatillos | Mar 7 | May 9–May 16 | 115 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 115 available after May 9. | Jun 4 |
| Watermelon | Apr 18 | May 9–May 16 | 115 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 115 available after May 9. | May 30 |
| Yellow Squash | Apr 18 | May 16–May 23 | 122 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 122 available after May 16. | Jul 8 |
| Zinnias | Apr 4 | May 2–May 16 | 136 | two-plantings: Plant May 2 and again by Jul 3; both mature before Sep 15. | Jul 3 |
Month by month in Vermillion
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Plan your garden layout and order seeds. Research varieties suited to your frost dates. |
| February | Start indoors: Chives (Feb 7), Lavender (Feb 7), Onion (Feb 7), Rosemary (Feb 7), Celery (Feb 21), Collards (Feb 21), +5 more. |
| March | Start indoors: Broccoli (Mar 7), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 7), Cabbage (Mar 7), Lettuce (Mar 7), Sage (Mar 7), Swiss Chard (Mar 7), +8 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Mar 7), Beets (Mar 7), Dill (Mar 7), Peas (Mar 7), Radish (Mar 7), Spinach (Mar 7), +1 more. Plant: Strawberry (Mar 28). |
| April | Start indoors: Bok Choy (Apr 4), Corn (Apr 4), Cosmos (Apr 4), Nasturtiums (Apr 4), Okra (Apr 4), Zinnias (Apr 4), +9 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (Apr 4), Turnip (Apr 4), Carrots (Apr 11), Potatoes (Apr 18). Transplant from: Broccoli (Apr 4), Brussel Sprouts (Apr 4), Cabbage (Apr 4), Collards (Apr 4), Kale (Apr 4), Lettuce (Apr 4), +6 more. |
| May | Direct sow from: Sunflowers (May 2), Beans (May 9), Pole Beans (May 9). Transplant from: Cosmos (May 2), Lavender (May 2), Marigolds (May 2), Mint (May 2), Nasturtiums (May 2), Zinnias (May 2), +23 more. Last frost around May 2. Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (May 17), Pumpkin (May 17), Cantaloupe (May 25), Celery (May 25), Melons (May 25), Spaghetti Squash (May 27), +2 more. |
| June | Last sowing dates: Pepper (Jun 4), Tomatillos (Jun 4), Eggplant (Jun 9), Corn (Jun 11), Sunflowers (Jun 23), Brussel Sprouts (Jun 28), +1 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Basil (Jul 3), Cosmos (Jul 3), Cucumber (Jul 3), Zinnias (Jul 3), Broccoli (Jul 4), Nasturtiums (Jul 8), +13 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Calendula (Aug 3), Cilantro (Aug 3), Collards (Aug 7), Scallions (Aug 7), Bok Choy (Aug 8), Lettuce (Aug 8), +6 more. |
| September | Direct sow from: Garlic (Sep 29). First frost around September 29. |
| October | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Oct 20). |
| 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 Vermillion, SD (ZIP 57069)?
The median last spring frost date for Vermillion, SD (ZIP code 57069) is around May 2. 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 17; one in ten it runs past May 16.
What is the first fall frost date in Vermillion, SD?
The median first fall frost date for Vermillion, SD is around September 29. 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 18 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Vermillion, SD?
The frost-free growing season in Vermillion is about 150 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 Vermillion (150 frost-free days, a moderate season), 34 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 21 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is Vermillion, SD?
Vermillion, SD is in USDA hardiness zone 5a (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 Vermillion, SD?
Start tomatoes indoors Mar 28 and plant out May 16 in Vermillion. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Vermillion?
Two: plant Apr 4 and again by Aug 8; both mature before Oct 6.
When do I plant garlic in Vermillion?
Sep 29 to Oct 20; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Yankton (ZIP 57078) has 160 frost-free days, 10 more than Vermillion (ZIP 57069). See Yankton ZIP 57078 frost dates
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