Frost Dates for Watertown, SD 57201
Last spring frost May 13 · First fall frost September 22 · 132 frost-free days · USDA Zone 4b
ZIP 57201 has about 26,800 people.
Moderate season: 132 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 28–May 27 (29 days). Fall frost risk spans September 10–October 4 (24 days).
Frost probability for 57201
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | May 27 | May 13 | April 28 |
| Fall (first frost) | September 10 | September 22 | October 4 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at CASTLEWOOD (23.7 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 132-day season in Watertown
In Watertown (132 frost-free days, a moderate season), 37 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 16 get two plantings, 2 need an indoor start, 1 crop is perennial.
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant out / sow | Days you have | Verdict | Last sow date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Apr 8 | May 27–Jun 3 | 90 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 90 available after May 27. | — |
| Pepper | Apr 1 | May 27–Jun 3 | 90 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 90 available after May 27. | May 28 |
| Lettuce | Mar 18 | Apr 15–Apr 22 | 167 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 15 and again by Aug 1; both mature before Sep 29. | Aug 1 |
| Carrots | — | Apr 22–Apr 29 | 174 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 174 available after Apr 22. | Jul 21 |
| Cucumber | Apr 22 | May 27–Jun 3 | 104 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 104 available after May 27. | Jun 26 |
| Beans | — | May 20–Jun 3 | 118 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 118 available after May 20. | Jul 3 |
| Peas | — | Mar 18–May 27 | 195 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 195 available after Mar 18. | Jul 12 |
| Zucchini | Apr 29 | May 27–Jun 3 | 104 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 104 available after May 27. | Jul 1 |
| Onion | Feb 18 | Apr 15–Apr 29 | 167 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 167 available after Apr 15. | — |
| Spinach | — | Mar 18–May 6 | 209 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 18 and again by Aug 20; both mature before Oct 13. | Aug 20 |
| Kale | Mar 4 | Apr 15–Apr 29 | 181 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 15 and again by Aug 5; both mature before Oct 13. | Aug 5 |
| Broccoli | Mar 18 | Apr 15–Apr 29 | 167 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 167 available after Apr 15. | Jun 27 |
| Cabbage | Mar 18 | Apr 15–Apr 29 | 181 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 181 available after Apr 15. | Jul 21 |
| Radish | — | Mar 18–Jun 10 | 195 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 18 and again by Aug 21; both mature before Sep 29. | Aug 21 |
| Beets | — | Mar 18–Jun 10 | 195 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 18 and again by Jul 22; both mature before Sep 29. | Jul 22 |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 29–May 6 | 153 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 153 available after Apr 29. | — |
| Garlic | — | Sep 22 | 237 | overwinter: Plant Sep 22 to Oct 13; harvest the following summer. | Oct 13 |
| Strawberry | — | Apr 8–Jun 3 | 188 | perennial: A perennial: plant Apr 8; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Apr 15 | May 20–May 27 | 104 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 104 available after May 20. | Jun 4 |
| Pumpkin | Apr 29 | May 27–May 27 | 97 | head-start: Even planted out May 27, the outdoor season is about 3 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Cauliflower | Apr 1 | May 6–May 20 | 146 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 146 available after May 6. | Jul 2 |
| Swiss Chard | Mar 18 | Apr 29–Apr 29 | 153 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 29 and again by Jul 22; both mature before Sep 29. | Jul 22 |
| Arugula | — | Mar 18–Jun 10 | 209 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 18 and again by Aug 20; both mature before Oct 13. | Aug 20 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Mar 18 | Apr 15–Apr 29 | 181 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 181 available after Apr 15. | Jun 21 |
| Butternut Squash | Apr 29 | May 27–Jun 3 | 97 | head-start: Even planted out May 27, the outdoor season is about 3 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Eggplant | Mar 25 | May 27–Jun 3 | 90 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 90 available after May 27. | Jun 2 |
| Okra | Apr 15 | May 20–May 27 | 111 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 111 available after May 20. | Jul 1 |
| Basil | Apr 8 | Jun 3–Jun 3 | 97 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 97 available after Jun 3. | Jun 26 |
| Cilantro | — | Apr 15–May 6 | 167 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 15 and again by Jul 27; both mature before Sep 29. | Jul 27 |
| Parsley | Mar 4 | May 20–May 27 | 132 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 132 available after May 20. | Jul 7 |
| Celery | Mar 4 | May 20–Jun 3 | 132 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 132 available after May 20. | — |
| Scallions | Mar 4 | Apr 15–Apr 29 | 181 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 15 and again by Jul 31; both mature before Oct 13. | Jul 31 |
| Turnip | — | Apr 15–Apr 29 | 181 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 15 and again by Aug 10; both mature before Oct 13. | Aug 10 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Apr 1–Apr 15 | 195 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 1 and again by Aug 5; both mature before Oct 13. | Aug 5 |
| Bok Choy | Apr 15 | May 6–May 13 | 146 | two-plantings: Plant May 6 and again by Aug 1; both mature before Sep 29. | Aug 1 |
| Collards | Mar 4 | Apr 15–Apr 29 | 181 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 15 and again by Jul 31; both mature before Oct 13. | Jul 31 |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 29 | May 27–Jun 3 | 90 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 90 available after May 27. | — |
| Chives | Feb 18 | May 20–May 27 | 146 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 146 available after May 20. | — |
| Dill | — | Mar 18–Jun 10 | 195 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 18 and again by Jul 22; both mature before Sep 29. | Jul 22 |
| Oregano | Mar 4 | May 20–May 27 | 146 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 146 available after May 20. | — |
| Rosemary | Feb 18 | May 20–May 27 | 132 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 132 available after May 20. | — |
| Sage | Mar 18 | May 20–May 27 | 146 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 146 available after May 20. | — |
| Thyme | Mar 4 | May 20–May 27 | 146 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 146 available after May 20. | — |
| Calendula | Apr 1 | Apr 29–May 13 | 153 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 29 and again by Jul 27; both mature before Sep 29. | Jul 27 |
| Cosmos | Apr 15 | May 13–May 27 | 118 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 118 available after May 13. | Jun 26 |
| Lavender | Feb 18 | May 13–May 27 | 153 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 153 available after May 13. | — |
| Marigolds | Apr 1 | May 13–May 20 | 118 | two-plantings: Plant May 13 and again by Jul 6; both mature before Sep 8. | Jul 6 |
| Melons | Apr 29 | May 27–Jun 3 | 90 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 90 available after May 27. | — |
| Mint | — | May 13–May 27 | 153 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 153 available after May 13. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Apr 15 | May 13–May 20 | 118 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 118 available after May 13. | Jul 1 |
| Pole Beans | — | May 20–Jun 3 | 111 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 111 available after May 20. | Jun 21 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Apr 29 | May 27–Jun 3 | 97 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 97 available after May 27. | — |
| Sunflowers | — | May 13–May 27 | 118 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 118 available after May 13. | Jun 16 |
| Tomatillos | Mar 18 | May 20–May 27 | 97 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 97 available after May 20. | May 28 |
| Watermelon | Apr 29 | May 20–May 27 | 97 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 97 available after May 20. | May 23 |
| Yellow Squash | Apr 29 | May 27–Jun 3 | 104 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 104 available after May 27. | Jul 1 |
| Zinnias | Apr 15 | May 13–May 27 | 118 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 118 available after May 13. | Jun 26 |
Month by month in Watertown
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Plan your garden layout and order seeds. Research varieties suited to your frost dates. |
| February | Start indoors: Chives (Feb 18), Lavender (Feb 18), Onion (Feb 18), Rosemary (Feb 18). |
| March | Start indoors: Celery (Mar 4), Collards (Mar 4), Kale (Mar 4), Oregano (Mar 4), Parsley (Mar 4), Scallions (Mar 4), +9 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Mar 18), Beets (Mar 18), Dill (Mar 18), Peas (Mar 18), Radish (Mar 18), Spinach (Mar 18). |
| April | Start indoors: Calendula (Apr 1), Cauliflower (Apr 1), Marigolds (Apr 1), Pepper (Apr 1), Basil (Apr 8), Tomato (Apr 8), +15 more. Direct sow from: Kohlrabi (Apr 1), Cilantro (Apr 15), Turnip (Apr 15), Carrots (Apr 22), Potatoes (Apr 29). Transplant from: Broccoli (Apr 15), Brussel Sprouts (Apr 15), Cabbage (Apr 15), Collards (Apr 15), Kale (Apr 15), Lettuce (Apr 15), +4 more. Plant: Strawberry (Apr 8). |
| May | Direct sow from: Sunflowers (May 13), Beans (May 20), Pole Beans (May 20). Transplant from: Bok Choy (May 6), Cauliflower (May 6), Cosmos (May 13), Lavender (May 13), Marigolds (May 13), Mint (May 13), +24 more. Last frost around May 13. Last sowing dates: Watermelon (May 23), Pepper (May 28), Tomatillos (May 28). |
| June | Transplant from: Basil (Jun 3). Last sowing dates: Eggplant (Jun 2), Corn (Jun 4), Sunflowers (Jun 16), Brussel Sprouts (Jun 21), Pole Beans (Jun 21), Basil (Jun 26), +4 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Nasturtiums (Jul 1), Okra (Jul 1), Yellow Squash (Jul 1), Zucchini (Jul 1), Cauliflower (Jul 2), Beans (Jul 3), +12 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Bok Choy (Aug 1), Lettuce (Aug 1), Kale (Aug 5), Kohlrabi (Aug 5), Turnip (Aug 10), Arugula (Aug 20), +2 more. |
| September | Direct sow from: Garlic (Sep 22). First frost around September 22. |
| October | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Oct 13). |
| 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 Watertown, SD (ZIP 57201)?
The median last spring frost date for Watertown, SD (ZIP code 57201) is around May 13. 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 28; one in ten it runs past May 27.
What is the first fall frost date in Watertown, SD?
The median first fall frost date for Watertown, SD is around September 22. 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 10 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Watertown, SD?
The frost-free growing season in Watertown is about 132 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 Watertown (132 frost-free days, a moderate season), 37 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 16 get two plantings, 2 need an indoor start, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is Watertown, SD?
Watertown, 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 Watertown, SD?
Start tomatoes indoors Apr 8 and plant out May 27 in Watertown. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Watertown?
Two: plant Apr 15 and again by Aug 1; both mature before Sep 29.
When do I plant garlic in Watertown?
Sep 22 to Oct 13; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I grow Butternut Squash in Watertown?
Yes, with help. Even planted out May 27, the outdoor season is about 3 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Brookings (ZIP 57006) has 145 frost-free days, 13 more than Watertown (ZIP 57201). See Brookings ZIP 57006 frost dates
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