Last frost date in Brookings, SD

Average last frost

May 6

The average last frost in Brookings is May 6. By May 19 the chance of another 32°F night drops to 1 in 10. The first fall frost usually arrives about October 1, which leaves 145 frost-free days. An early freeze before September 17 happens one year in ten.

Safe after (10% risk): May 19
Average first frost: Oct 1
Frost-free season: 145 days
Hard freeze (28°F) ends: Apr 28

Next 7 nights in Brookings

Frost possible in low spots Sun night, low 35°F

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

ThuOct 2258°
FriOct 2358°
SatOct 2439°
SunOct 2535°possible frost
MonOct 2633°possible frost
TueOct 2735°possible frost
WedOct 2837°

Frost risk through the year at Brookings 2 NE, 1.8 miles from Brookings.

Planting calendar for Brookings

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 13–May 27

PumpkinsMay 20–Jun 3

SunflowersMay 6–May 27

CucumbersMay 20–May 27

CornMay 13–May 27

Sweet potatoesMay 27–Jun 10

WatermelonMay 20–Jun 3

Green beansMay 13–Jun 3

ZucchiniMay 13–May 27

OkraMay 27–Jun 10

PeppersMay 20–Jun 3

BasilMay 13–May 27

Butternut squashMay 13–May 27

CantaloupeMay 20–Jun 3

EggplantMay 20–Jun 3

Cool-season crops

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PotatoesApr 8–Apr 22

OnionsMar 25–Apr 15

CarrotsApr 15–May 20

LettuceApr 22–May 13

BroccoliApr 8–Apr 22

BeetsApr 8–May 20

PeasMar 25–Apr 8

CabbageApr 8–Apr 22

RadishesApr 1–May 13

Brussels sproutsApr 22–May 6

SpinachMar 25–Apr 15

CilantroApr 22–May 13

KaleApr 8–Apr 22

Collard greensApr 8–Apr 22

TurnipsApr 8–Apr 22

DillMay 6–May 20

CeleryMay 13–May 20

CauliflowerApr 22–May 6

LeeksApr 22–May 6

Swiss chardApr 22–May 20

ParsleyApr 22–May 13

Fall bulbs and garlic

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Tulip bulbsSep 17–Oct 22

GarlicSep 10–Oct 15

Daffodil bulbsSep 3–Oct 15

Perennials

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

StrawberriesApr 8–Apr 22

AsparagusApr 8–Apr 22

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 6	May 19	Sep 17	Oct 1	Oct 13
Hard freeze, 28°F	Apr 13	Apr 28	May 10	Sep 25	Oct 8	Oct 24

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 Brookings 2 NE (USC00391076) sits 1.8 miles from the center of Brookings at 1,639 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 Brookings, SD?

The average last frost date in Brookings is May 6, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. There is a 10% chance of frost after May 19.

When is the first frost in Brookings?

The first frost in fall usually comes around October 1. One year in ten it arrives before September 17.

How long is the growing season in Brookings?

About 145 days between the average last and first frost.

When should I plant tomatoes in Brookings?

Plant tomato seedlings outside from May 13 to May 27. Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks earlier.

Nearby in South Dakota

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