Frost Dates for Yankton, SD 57078
Last spring frost April 28 · First fall frost October 5 · 160 frost-free days · USDA Zone 5a
ZIP 57078 has about 20,400 people.
Moderate season: 160 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 15–May 13 (28 days). Fall frost risk spans September 17–October 21 (34 days).
Frost probability for 57078
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | May 13 | April 28 | April 15 |
| Fall (first frost) | September 17 | October 5 | October 21 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at YANKTON 2 E (8.1 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 160-day season in Yankton
In Yankton (160 frost-free days, a moderate season), 32 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 23 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant out / sow | Days you have | Verdict | Last sow date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Mar 24 | May 12–May 19 | 118 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 118 available after May 12. | Jun 5 |
| Pepper | Mar 17 | May 12–May 19 | 118 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 118 available after May 12. | Jun 10 |
| Lettuce | Mar 3 | Mar 31–Apr 7 | 195 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 31 and again by Aug 14; both mature before Oct 12. | Aug 14 |
| Carrots | — | Apr 7–Apr 14 | 202 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 202 available after Apr 7. | Aug 3 |
| Cucumber | Apr 7 | May 12–May 19 | 132 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 132 available after May 12. | Jul 9 |
| Beans | — | May 5–May 19 | 146 | two-plantings: Plant May 5 and again by Jul 16; both mature before Sep 28. | Jul 16 |
| Peas | — | Mar 3–May 12 | 223 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 223 available after Mar 3. | Jul 25 |
| Zucchini | Apr 14 | May 12–May 19 | 132 | two-plantings: Plant May 12 and again by Jul 14; both mature before Sep 21. | Jul 14 |
| Onion | Feb 3 | Mar 31–Apr 14 | 195 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 195 available after Mar 31. | — |
| Spinach | — | Mar 3–Apr 21 | 237 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 3 and again by Sep 2; both mature before Oct 26. | Sep 2 |
| Kale | Feb 17 | Mar 31–Apr 14 | 209 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 31 and again by Aug 18; both mature before Oct 26. | Aug 18 |
| Broccoli | Mar 3 | Mar 31–Apr 14 | 195 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 195 available after Mar 31. | Jul 10 |
| Cabbage | Mar 3 | Mar 31–Apr 14 | 209 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 209 available after Mar 31. | Aug 3 |
| Radish | — | Mar 3–May 26 | 223 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 3 and again by Sep 3; both mature before Oct 12. | Sep 3 |
| Beets | — | Mar 3–May 26 | 223 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 3 and again by Aug 4; both mature before Oct 12. | Aug 4 |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 14–Apr 21 | 181 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 181 available after Apr 14. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 5 | 265 | overwinter: Plant Oct 5 to Oct 26; harvest the following summer. | Oct 26 |
| Strawberry | — | Mar 24–May 19 | 216 | perennial: A perennial: plant Mar 24; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Mar 31 | May 5–May 12 | 132 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 132 available after May 5. | Jun 17 |
| Pumpkin | Apr 14 | May 12–May 12 | 125 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 125 available after May 12. | May 23 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 17 | Apr 21–May 5 | 174 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 174 available after Apr 21. | Jul 15 |
| Swiss Chard | Mar 3 | Apr 14–Apr 14 | 181 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 14 and again by Aug 4; both mature before Oct 12. | Aug 4 |
| Arugula | — | Mar 3–May 26 | 237 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 3 and again by Sep 2; both mature before Oct 26. | Sep 2 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Mar 3 | Mar 31–Apr 14 | 209 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 209 available after Mar 31. | Jul 4 |
| Butternut Squash | Apr 14 | May 12–May 19 | 125 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 125 available after May 12. | May 23 |
| Eggplant | Mar 10 | May 12–May 19 | 118 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 118 available after May 12. | Jun 15 |
| Okra | Mar 31 | May 5–May 12 | 139 | two-plantings: Plant May 5 and again by Jul 14; both mature before Sep 21. | Jul 14 |
| Basil | Mar 24 | May 19–May 19 | 125 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 125 available after May 19. | Jul 9 |
| Cilantro | — | Mar 31–Apr 21 | 195 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 31 and again by Aug 9; both mature before Oct 12. | Aug 9 |
| Parsley | Feb 17 | May 5–May 12 | 160 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 160 available after May 5. | Jul 20 |
| Celery | Feb 17 | May 5–May 19 | 160 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 160 available after May 5. | May 31 |
| Scallions | Feb 17 | Mar 31–Apr 14 | 209 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 31 and again by Aug 13; both mature before Oct 26. | Aug 13 |
| Turnip | — | Mar 31–Apr 14 | 209 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 31 and again by Aug 23; both mature before Oct 26. | Aug 23 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 17–Mar 31 | 223 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 17 and again by Aug 18; both mature before Oct 26. | Aug 18 |
| Bok Choy | Mar 31 | Apr 21–Apr 28 | 174 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 21 and again by Aug 14; both mature before Oct 12. | Aug 14 |
| Collards | Feb 17 | Mar 31–Apr 14 | 209 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 31 and again by Aug 13; both mature before Oct 26. | Aug 13 |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 14 | May 12–May 19 | 118 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 118 available after May 12. | May 31 |
| Chives | Feb 3 | May 5–May 12 | 174 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 174 available after May 5. | — |
| Dill | — | Mar 3–May 26 | 223 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 3 and again by Aug 4; both mature before Oct 12. | Aug 4 |
| Oregano | Feb 17 | May 5–May 12 | 174 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 174 available after May 5. | — |
| Rosemary | Feb 3 | May 5–May 12 | 160 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 160 available after May 5. | — |
| Sage | Mar 3 | May 5–May 12 | 174 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 174 available after May 5. | — |
| Thyme | Feb 17 | May 5–May 12 | 174 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 174 available after May 5. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 17 | Apr 14–Apr 28 | 181 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 14 and again by Aug 9; both mature before Oct 12. | Aug 9 |
| Cosmos | Mar 31 | Apr 28–May 12 | 146 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 28 and again by Jul 9; both mature before Sep 21. | Jul 9 |
| Lavender | Feb 3 | Apr 28–May 12 | 181 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 181 available after Apr 28. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 17 | Apr 28–May 5 | 146 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 28 and again by Jul 19; both mature before Sep 21. | Jul 19 |
| Melons | Apr 14 | May 12–May 19 | 118 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 118 available after May 12. | May 31 |
| Mint | — | Apr 28–May 12 | 181 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 181 available after Apr 28. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Mar 31 | Apr 28–May 5 | 146 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 28 and again by Jul 14; both mature before Sep 21. | Jul 14 |
| Pole Beans | — | May 5–May 19 | 139 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 139 available after May 5. | Jul 4 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Apr 14 | May 12–May 19 | 125 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 125 available after May 12. | Jun 2 |
| Sunflowers | — | Apr 28–May 12 | 146 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 146 available after Apr 28. | Jun 29 |
| Tomatillos | Mar 3 | May 5–May 12 | 125 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 125 available after May 5. | Jun 10 |
| Watermelon | Apr 14 | May 5–May 12 | 125 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 125 available after May 5. | Jun 5 |
| Yellow Squash | Apr 14 | May 12–May 19 | 132 | two-plantings: Plant May 12 and again by Jul 14; both mature before Sep 21. | Jul 14 |
| Zinnias | Mar 31 | Apr 28–May 12 | 146 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 28 and again by Jul 9; both mature before Sep 21. | Jul 9 |
Month by month in Yankton
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Plan your garden layout and order seeds. Research varieties suited to your frost dates. |
| February | Start indoors: Chives (Feb 3), Lavender (Feb 3), Onion (Feb 3), Rosemary (Feb 3), Celery (Feb 17), Collards (Feb 17), +5 more. |
| March | Start indoors: Broccoli (Mar 3), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 3), Cabbage (Mar 3), Lettuce (Mar 3), Sage (Mar 3), Swiss Chard (Mar 3), +14 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Mar 3), Beets (Mar 3), Dill (Mar 3), Peas (Mar 3), Radish (Mar 3), Spinach (Mar 3), +3 more. Transplant from: Broccoli (Mar 31), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 31), Cabbage (Mar 31), Collards (Mar 31), Kale (Mar 31), Lettuce (Mar 31), +2 more. Plant: Strawberry (Mar 24). |
| April | Start indoors: Cucumber (Apr 7), Butternut Squash (Apr 14), Cantaloupe (Apr 14), Melons (Apr 14), Pumpkin (Apr 14), Spaghetti Squash (Apr 14), +3 more. Direct sow from: Carrots (Apr 7), Potatoes (Apr 14), Sunflowers (Apr 28). Transplant from: Calendula (Apr 14), Swiss Chard (Apr 14), Bok Choy (Apr 21), Cauliflower (Apr 21), Cosmos (Apr 28), Lavender (Apr 28), +4 more. Last frost around April 28. |
| May | Direct sow from: Beans (May 5), Pole Beans (May 5). Transplant from: Celery (May 5), Chives (May 5), Corn (May 5), Okra (May 5), Oregano (May 5), Parsley (May 5), +17 more. Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (May 23), Pumpkin (May 23), Cantaloupe (May 31), Celery (May 31), Melons (May 31). |
| June | Last sowing dates: Spaghetti Squash (Jun 2), Tomato (Jun 5), Watermelon (Jun 5), Pepper (Jun 10), Tomatillos (Jun 10), Eggplant (Jun 15), +2 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Brussel Sprouts (Jul 4), Pole Beans (Jul 4), Basil (Jul 9), Cosmos (Jul 9), Cucumber (Jul 9), Zinnias (Jul 9), +10 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Cabbage (Aug 3), Carrots (Aug 3), Beets (Aug 4), Dill (Aug 4), Swiss Chard (Aug 4), Calendula (Aug 9), +8 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Arugula (Sep 2), Spinach (Sep 2), Radish (Sep 3). |
| October | Direct sow from: Garlic (Oct 5). First frost around October 5. Last sowing dates: Garlic (Oct 26). |
| November | Harvest remaining cold-hardy crops: kale, carrots, and beets. Plant garlic bulbs for next year. |
| 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 Yankton, SD (ZIP 57078)?
The median last spring frost date for Yankton, SD (ZIP code 57078) is around April 28. 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 15; one in ten it runs past May 13.
What is the first fall frost date in Yankton, SD?
The median first fall frost date for Yankton, SD is around October 5. 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 17 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Yankton, SD?
The frost-free growing season in Yankton is about 160 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 Yankton (160 frost-free days, a moderate season), 32 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 23 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is Yankton, SD?
Yankton, 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 Yankton, SD?
Start tomatoes indoors Mar 24 and plant out May 12 in Yankton. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Yankton?
Two: plant Mar 31 and again by Aug 14; both mature before Oct 12.
When do I plant garlic in Yankton?
Oct 5 to Oct 26; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
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