Last frost date in Aberdeen, SD

Average last frost

May 8

Expect the last frost in Aberdeen around May 8. Frost after May 21 happens in only one year out of ten. The first fall frost usually arrives about September 29, which leaves 144 frost-free days. An early freeze before September 17 happens one year in ten.

Safe after (10% risk): May 21
Average first frost: Sep 29
Frost-free season: 144 days
Hard freeze (28°F) ends: Apr 29

Next 7 nights in Aberdeen

Frost likely Sun night, low 32°F

National Weather Service forecast, updated Oct 22, 12:57 UTC

ThuOct 2259°
FriOct 2352°
SatOct 2435°possible frost
SunOct 2532°frost
MonOct 2631°frost
TueOct 2734°possible frost
WedOct 2835°possible frost

Frost risk through the year at Aberdeen 3 E, 2.7 miles from Aberdeen.

Planting calendar for Aberdeen

Windows count forward or back from the average frost dates above. Click a crop for dates across South Dakota.

Start indoorsPlant outSow outdoorsFall plantingAverage last and first frost

Warm-season crops

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

TomatoesMay 15–May 29

PumpkinsMay 22–Jun 5

SunflowersMay 8–May 29

CucumbersMay 22–May 29

CornMay 15–May 29

Sweet potatoesMay 29–Jun 12

WatermelonMay 22–Jun 5

Green beansMay 15–Jun 5

ZucchiniMay 15–May 29

OkraMay 29–Jun 12

PeppersMay 22–Jun 5

BasilMay 15–May 29

Butternut squashMay 15–May 29

CantaloupeMay 22–Jun 5

EggplantMay 22–Jun 5

Cool-season crops

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PotatoesApr 10–Apr 24

OnionsMar 27–Apr 17

CarrotsApr 17–May 22

LettuceApr 24–May 15

BroccoliApr 10–Apr 24

BeetsApr 10–May 22

PeasMar 27–Apr 10

CabbageApr 10–Apr 24

RadishesApr 3–May 15

Brussels sproutsApr 24–May 8

SpinachMar 27–Apr 17

CilantroApr 24–May 15

KaleApr 10–Apr 24

Collard greensApr 10–Apr 24

TurnipsApr 10–Apr 24

DillMay 8–May 22

CeleryMay 15–May 22

CauliflowerApr 24–May 8

LeeksApr 24–May 8

Swiss chardApr 24–May 22

ParsleyApr 24–May 15

Fall bulbs and garlic

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Tulip bulbsSep 15–Oct 20

GarlicSep 8–Oct 13

Daffodil bulbsSep 1–Oct 13

Perennials

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

StrawberriesApr 10–Apr 24

AsparagusApr 10–Apr 24

Frost probabilities

Threshold	Spring, 90% chance later	Spring, 50%	Spring, 10%	Fall, 10% chance earlier	Fall, 50%	Fall, 90%
Light frost, 32°F	Apr 25	May 8	May 21	Sep 17	Sep 29	Oct 11
Hard freeze, 28°F	Apr 13	Apr 29	May 12	Sep 25	Oct 7	Oct 20

Read the spring 10% column as the date after which only one year in ten still gets frost. That is the safer date for tomatoes, peppers and basil.

Where these numbers come from

NOAA station Aberdeen 3 E (USC00390022) sits 2.7 miles from the center of Aberdeen at 1,301 feet. Its averages cover 1991 to 2020. Low spots, valleys and open fields can keep getting frost a week or two after the station stops; city centers and lakeshores usually get less of it.

Questions

When is the last frost in Aberdeen, SD?

The average last frost date in Aberdeen is May 8, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. There is a 10% chance of frost after May 21.

When is the first frost in Aberdeen?

The first frost in fall usually comes around September 29. One year in ten it arrives before September 17.

How long is the growing season in Aberdeen?

About 144 days between the average last and first frost.

When should I plant tomatoes in Aberdeen?

Plant tomato seedlings outside from May 15 to May 29. Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks earlier.

Nearby in South Dakota

All 5 cities in South Dakota