When to plant in Vermillion, SD
USDA Zone 5aHere are the average frost dates, USDA hardiness zone, and a month-by-month planting calendar for Vermillion, South Dakota — all computed from Vermillion's nearest NOAA weather station.
Zone 5a means Vermillion sees real winter cold, but a good range of perennials survive; the frost dates above govern when annual vegetables go out.
Frost probability
VERMILLION 2 SE · 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 Vermillion’s own odds, recorded at VERMILLION 2 SE.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | May 25 | May 11 | Apr 30 | Sep 11 | Sep 25 | Oct 7 |
| 32°F | May 16 | May 3 | Apr 20 | Sep 20 | Oct 3 | Oct 17 |
| 28°F | May 9 | Apr 24 | Apr 10 | Sep 29 | Oct 15 | 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 Vermillion, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 33 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.
Vermillion planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Vermillion, SD?
Plan for the last spring frost in Vermillion around May 3 (the date it has a 50% chance of a 32°F freeze). Anything frost-sensitive should go out after it.
When is the first fall frost in Vermillion, SD?
In Vermillion, the first 32°F freeze of fall lands around October 3 on average. Time your last harvests and any season-extension cover before it.
What hardiness zone is Vermillion in?
Vermillion is in USDA hardiness zone 5a. In zone 5a, winters are cold — pick cold-hardy varieties and protect tender crops.
How long is the growing season in Vermillion?
There are roughly 153 frost-free days in Vermillion (a moderate growing season), running from the average last frost around May 3 to the first fall frost near October 3.
When should I plant tomatoes in Vermillion?
In Vermillion, start tomato seeds indoors around March 8–March 22, then transplant seedlings outdoors around May 10 once the danger of frost has passed.
Never miss a window in Vermillion
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Vermillion’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- Yankton · 40 km
- Sioux City · 54 km
- South Sioux City · 55 km
- Le Mars · 61 km
- Sioux Falls · 86 km
- Norfolk · 93 km
- Brandon · 94 km
- Mitchell · 139 km
Frost dates recorded at VERMILLION 2 SE, 2 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 Vermillion, SD — Frost Dates & Zone 5a." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USC00398622. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/south-dakota/vermillion.