When to plant in Pierre, SD
USDA Zone 4bHere are the average frost dates, USDA hardiness zone, and a month-by-month planting calendar for Pierre, South Dakota — all computed from Pierre's nearest NOAA weather station.
Zone 4b is cold — in Pierre, most perennials must be fully hardy, and your frost dates set a tight window for tender annual vegetables.
Frost probability
PIERRE RGNL AP · 1991–2020The date the last spring and first fall frost occur, by threshold and probability. A 90% date is later in spring — and earlier in fall — than a 10% date; the 50% · 32°F row is what most gardeners plan around. These are Pierre’s own odds, recorded at PIERRE RGNL AP.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | May 30 | May 16 | May 3 | Sep 13 | Sep 25 | Oct 8 |
| 32°F | May 21 | May 6 | Apr 24 | Sep 20 | Oct 3 | Oct 17 |
| 28°F | May 10 | Apr 26 | Apr 12 | Sep 27 | Oct 12 | Oct 27 |
Download this table as CSV ↓ — every threshold and probability, plus this city’s planting-window dates.
What to plant now
TODAY · JULY 19Full-year planting calendar
Each bar is the exact window to take a planting action in Pierre, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 31 km · complete 32°F normalsWhen stations disagree by more than a few days, that spread is real microclimate variation — elevation, water, urban heat. Judge which station best matches your own yard.
Pierre planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Pierre, SD?
On average, the last spring frost in Pierre is around May 6 (50% probability at 32°F, from 1991–2020 NOAA normals). Wait until after this date to set out tender plants like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first fall frost in Pierre, SD?
Expect Pierre's first fall frost near October 3 — a 50% chance of 32°F by that date. Bring in or cover tender crops ahead of it.
What hardiness zone is Pierre in?
Pierre is in USDA hardiness zone 4b. In zone 4b, winters are cold — pick cold-hardy varieties and protect tender crops.
How long is the growing season in Pierre?
There are roughly 150 frost-free days in Pierre (a moderate growing season), running from the average last frost around May 6 to the first fall frost near October 3.
When should I plant tomatoes in Pierre?
In Pierre, start tomato seeds indoors around March 11–March 25, then transplant seedlings outdoors around May 13 once the danger of frost has passed.
Never miss a window in Pierre
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Pierre’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reachFrost dates recorded at PIERRE RGNL AP, 3 km from the city center · 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals · zone from the USDA/PRISM 2023 map. How we compute this.
BlissGarden. "When to Plant in Pierre, SD — Frost Dates & Zone 4b." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USW00024025. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/south-dakota/pierre.