Oelrichs, SD Frost Dates & Growing Season

The two dates every Oelrichs garden is planned around, plus ready-computed planting windows for the most popular crops.

Last spring frost
May 15
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Sep 30
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
138 days
frost-free stretch
USDA zone
≈ 5a
estimated from nearby reference
Risky (1 year in 10)MedianSafe (9 years in 10)
Last spring frost May 4 May 15 May 28
First fall frost Oct 13 Sep 30 Sep 16
Hard freeze (28°F), median last May 6 · first Oct 9

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the OELRICHS station. "Safe" means frost past that date happens only about one year in ten. Your exact garden can still run days either way with elevation and terrain — check your own ZIP with the frost date lookup.

Planting windows for Oelrichs

Computed from Oelrichs's own frost dates. Click any crop for the full zone-5 growing guide — varieties, spacing, fall plantings, and more.

CropStart seeds indoorsTransplantDirect sow
🍅 Tomatoes Mar 20 – Apr 3 May 22 – May 29
🫑 Peppers Mar 6 – Mar 20 May 29 – Jun 5
🥬 Lettuce Apr 3 – Apr 17 Apr 17 – May 1 Apr 17 – May 15
🫛 Peas Apr 3 – Apr 17
🥕 Carrots Apr 24 – May 15
🥦 Broccoli Mar 27 – Apr 10 Apr 24 – May 8
🥬 Kale Apr 3 – Apr 17 Apr 17 – May 1 Apr 17 – May 1
🥒 Cucumbers Apr 17 – Apr 24 May 22 – May 29 May 22 – May 29
🥒 Zucchini Apr 17 – Apr 24 May 22 – May 29 May 22 – May 29
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) May 22 – May 29
🌽 Sweet Corn May 22 – May 29
🌿 Basil Apr 3 – Apr 17 May 22 – May 29 May 29 – Jun 5
🧄 Garlic Fall: Aug 19 – Sep 16

Want this for all 50 crops, or as a printable seed-shelf schedule? Use the planting calendar and the seed starting scheduler — both can use Oelrichs's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in Oelrichs

At about 138 frost-free days, Oelrichs rewards efficiency: start warm-season crops indoors, favor short-season varieties, and lean on cold-tolerant crops — peas, kale, roots — that shrug off the shoulder-season frosts on either end.

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Oelrichs, SD?

The average last spring frost in Oelrichs is around May 15, based on 1991–2020 climate normals. That's a median — about half of years see a later frost, so tender crops are safest going out a week or two after this date.

When is the first frost in Oelrichs, SD?

The average first fall frost in Oelrichs arrives around Sep 30. Crops still in the garden need to mature before then, and frost-tender plants need harvesting or protection as the date approaches.

How long is the growing season in Oelrichs?

About 138 frost-free days on average, from May 15 to Sep 30. That favors short-season varieties and transplants for warm-season crops, with cool-season vegetables doing the heavy lifting in spring and fall.

What USDA zone is Oelrichs in?

USDA zone 5a on the 2023 Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Note that zones describe winter cold, not frost timing — these frost dates are the numbers to plan plantings around.