North Sioux City, SD 57049 Frost Dates
When can you plant in North Sioux City, SD?
The last spring frost here typically falls around 04/29, about 244 days from today. The first fall frost typically arrives around 10/05, about 159 frost-free days later.
The USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map puts North Sioux City in Zone 5a (-20 to -15°F average annual minimum); frost dates are NOAA's 1991-2020 station normal, not this year's forecast.
What to do before the first frost
About 5 weeks of growing season left in North Sioux City before the first fall frost — a cold frame or row cover can stretch harvest weeks past that date.
How much risk comes with planting early here
04/29 is the middle of 30 years of NOAA records, not a promise. Plant by 04/16 and you're betting against frost in roughly 9 years out of 10. 05/14 is the safer bet, historically only a 1-in-10 chance of frost that late.
How North Sioux City compares
North Sioux City's growing season runs about 159 days, ranking 32,654 of 40,283 US ZIP codes measured here, longest to shortest. Within SD, it ranks 36 of 378.
Learn more
local microclimates covers what one yard in North Sioux City can differ from the 57049 normal. zone vs. frost date covers why Zone 5a and North Sioux City's frost date answer different questions.