When to plant lettuce in South Dakota

Plant out in Sioux Falls

Apr 12–May 3

Across South Dakota the window opens between April 12 and April 24. Find your city below; the dates follow each town's own average last frost.

Start indoors, Sioux Falls: Mar 1–Mar 15
Plant out, Sioux Falls: Apr 12–May 3
Sow outdoors, Sioux Falls: Mar 29–May 3
Fall planting, Sioux Falls: Aug 18–Sep 1
Last frost, Sioux Falls: Apr 26

Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost; plant out from 2 weeks before to 1 weeks after the last frost; sow outdoors from 4 weeks before to 1 weeks after the last frost; sow again for fall 6–8 weeks before the first frost. Lettuce bolts in heat. Sow small batches every two weeks in spring and again in late summer.

Lettuce planting dates by city

Start indoorsPlant outSow outdoorsFall plantingAverage last and first frost

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Sioux FallsApr 12–May 3

Rapid CityApr 19–May 10

AberdeenApr 24–May 15

BrookingsApr 22–May 13

WatertownApr 23–May 14

Questions

When should I plant lettuce in South Dakota?

In Sioux Falls, plant out from April 12 to May 3. Across South Dakota the window opens between April 12 and April 24, depending on the local last frost.

How is this date worked out?

Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost; plant out from 2 weeks before to 1 weeks after the last frost; sow outdoors from 4 weeks before to 1 weeks after the last frost; sow again for fall 6–8 weeks before the first frost. Frost dates are NOAA 1991–2020 averages for the weather station nearest each city.

More for South Dakota

Lettuce in other states

Frost dates for every city in South Dakota