Vermillion 2 SE, SD Frost Dates & Growing Season

The two dates every Vermillion 2 SE garden is planned around, plus ready-computed planting windows for the most popular crops.

Last spring frost
May 3
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Oct 3
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
153 days
frost-free stretch
USDA zone
≈ 5a
estimated from nearby reference
Risky (1 year in 10)MedianSafe (9 years in 10)
Last spring frost Apr 20 May 3 May 16
First fall frost Oct 17 Oct 3 Sep 20
Hard freeze (28°F), median last Apr 24 · first Oct 15

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the VERMILLION 2 SE 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 Vermillion 2 SE

Computed from Vermillion 2 SE'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 8 – Mar 22 May 10 – May 17
🫑 Peppers Feb 22 – Mar 8 May 17 – May 24
🥬 Lettuce Mar 22 – Apr 5 Apr 5 – Apr 19 Apr 5 – May 3
🫛 Peas Mar 22 – Apr 5
🥕 Carrots Apr 12 – May 3
🥦 Broccoli Mar 15 – Mar 29 Apr 12 – Apr 26
🥬 Kale Mar 22 – Apr 5 Apr 5 – Apr 19 Apr 5 – Apr 19
🥒 Cucumbers Apr 5 – Apr 12 May 10 – May 17 May 10 – May 17
🥒 Zucchini Apr 5 – Apr 12 May 10 – May 17 May 10 – May 17
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) May 10 – May 17
🌽 Sweet Corn May 10 – May 17
🌿 Basil Mar 22 – Apr 5 May 10 – May 17 May 17 – May 24
🧄 Garlic Fall: Aug 22 – Sep 19

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 Vermillion 2 SE's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in Vermillion 2 SE

Roughly 153 frost-free days gives Vermillion 2 SE gardeners room for nearly every common vegetable. Warm-season crops go out after May 3; a fall garden sown in late summer matures comfortably before the Oct 3 frost.

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Vermillion 2 SE, SD?

The average last spring frost in Vermillion 2 SE is around May 3, 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 Vermillion 2 SE, SD?

The average first fall frost in Vermillion 2 SE arrives around Oct 3. 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 Vermillion 2 SE?

About 153 frost-free days on average, from May 3 to Oct 3. That fits nearly all common vegetables, though the longest-season melons and sweet potatoes benefit from transplants.

What USDA zone is Vermillion 2 SE 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.