USDA hardiness zones in South Dakota
| Zone | Avg. extreme minimum | ZIP codes | Example cities |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 4a | −30 to −25°F | 25 | Aberdeen |
| Zone 4b | −25 to −20°F | 177 | Brookings, Watertown, Huron, Pierre |
| Zone 5a | −20 to −15°F | 171 | Sioux Falls, Yankton, Mitchell, Vermillion |
| Zone 5b | −15 to −10°F | 7 | Rapid City, Spearfish, Box Elder, Belle Fourche |
Growing zone and frost dates by city
| City | Zone | Frost dates |
|---|---|---|
| Sioux Falls | 5a (−20 to −15°F) | Sioux Falls frost dates |
| Rapid City | 5b (−15 to −10°F) | Rapid City frost dates |
| Aberdeen | 4a (−30 to −25°F) | Aberdeen frost dates |
| Brookings | 4b (−25 to −20°F) | Brookings frost dates |
| Watertown | 4b (−25 to −20°F) | Watertown frost dates |
| Yankton | 5a (−20 to −15°F) | Yankton frost dates |
| Mitchell | 5a (−20 to −15°F) | Mitchell frost dates |
| Huron | 4b (−25 to −20°F) | Huron frost dates |
| Spearfish | 5b (−15 to −10°F) | Spearfish frost dates |
| Box Elder | 5b (−15 to −10°F) | Box Elder frost dates |
| Pierre | 4b (−25 to −20°F) | Pierre frost dates |
| Vermillion | 5a (−20 to −15°F) | Vermillion frost dates |
| Brandon | 5a (−20 to −15°F) | Brandon frost dates |
| Harrisburg | 5a (−20 to −15°F) | Harrisburg frost dates |
| Tea | 5a (−20 to −15°F) | Tea frost dates |
| Sturgis | 5a (−20 to −15°F) | Sturgis frost dates |
| Madison | 4b (−25 to −20°F) | Madison frost dates |
| Belle Fourche | 5b (−15 to −10°F) | Belle Fourche frost dates |
Frequently asked questions
What growing zone is South Dakota in?
South Dakota’s ZIP codes span USDA zones 4a to 5b, and 4b is the most common. Zones vary with elevation and distance from water, so check your own ZIP code.
When should I plant?
Hardiness zones are about winter cold, not planting dates. For timing, use the last spring frost date for your city on our South Dakota frost dates page.