Data: 2023 USDA zones (PRISM/OSU) · NOAA 1991–2020 normals · updated Oct 29, 2026

Planting zone for 57218 — Brandt, SD

ZIP code 57218 (Brandt, Deuel County) is in USDA zone 4b: the coldest winter night averages −25 to −20 °F. The median last spring frost is May 7 and the first fall frost October 1.

Where ZIP 57218 is

Outlined: the ZIP code area · tap the map for the zone at any spot · scroll or pinch to zoom

Not the official USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Zones come from the 2023 USDA hardiness-zone data by the PRISM Group, Oregon State University; we re-mapped and recolored them. The official map is at planthardiness.ars.usda.gov.

Zone4b−25 to −20 °F

Coldest night−31.7 to −28.9 °C

Last frostMay 7

First frostOct 1

2012 zone4b

Same zone as on the 2012 map. The zone is the one at the center of the ZIP code; hilly ZIPs can span two zones. What zone 4b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Brandt, SD…

Forecast data: National Weather Service (api.weather.gov), public domain. This is not a warning service — for official frost and freeze warnings see weather.gov.

Frost dates in Brandt, SD

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free

Last spring frostMay 7median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 21only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 1median — 10% chance by Sep 19

Growing season146 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 29 and returns around October 10.

From the NOAA station Clear Lake, SD — 9 miles away, elevation 1,811 ft. NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, 32 °F threshold. Low spots and valleys can freeze later in spring than the station.

When to plant vegetables in 57218

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 26 – Apr 9

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 26 – Apr 16

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 26 – Mar 12

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 16 – Apr 30

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 9 – Apr 23

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 16 – Apr 30

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 9 – Apr 23

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 16 – Apr 30

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 12 – Mar 26

TomatoesTransplant · May 14 – May 28

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 26 – Mar 12

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 21 – Jun 4

BeansSow outdoors · May 14 – May 28

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 14 – May 28

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 14 – May 28

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 6 – Aug 20

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 17 – Oct 22

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 7) and first fall frost (Oct 1) with the rules of thumb U.S. extension services publish. Cool-season crops take a light frost; warm-season crops do best once the soil is above about 60 °F.

When spring arrived in 2026

In 2026, spring leaf-out near 57218 came on Apr 8 — 11 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 19).

average
Apr 192026
Apr 8

JanFebMarAprMayJun

The Spring Index marks the day when accumulated warmth is enough for lilac and honeysuckle to leaf out — a widely used signal that the growing season has started. Source: USA National Phenology Network, www.usanpn.org — Spring Indices, first leaf, 2026 (data as of 2026-09-08) and 30-year average 1991–2020 (CC BY 4.0).

Native plants for zone 4b in South Dakota

430 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in South Dakota, and rated by the USDA to survive −25 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 4b. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

Source: USDA, NRCS. 2026. The PLANTS Database (plants.usda.gov), National Plant Data Team — state distribution, native status and the “Temperature, Minimum” characteristic. Check light, moisture and soil needs before buying; local nurseries and your state native plant society can confirm what thrives in Brandt, SD.

Soil in Brandt, SD

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 57218 is Singsaas — silty clay loam, well drained.

TextureSilty clay loamholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up

pH6.6neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter5%high

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Singsaas-Waubay silty clay loams, 0 to 2 percent slopes.

Soil Survey Staff, Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA. Soil Survey Geographic (SSURGO) Database, via Soil Data Access, accessed 2026-10-29. The soil at the center point of ZIP 57218; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Brandt, SD

Summer high80 °Faverage high, July

Winter low2 °Faverage low, January

Hot days6days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights171nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,274base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 34 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day8 h 48 mindaylight on December 21

Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)

Precipitation26.4 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Clear Lake, SD (9 mi away); precipitation: Clear Lake 0.6 Ssw, SD (9 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 4b.

Clear Lake, SD · 12 mi

561364b

Hendricks, MN · 14 mi

572764b

White, SD · 15 mi

572344b

Estelline, SD · 15 mi

562204b

Canby, MN · 16 mi

South Dakota planting zones →

Questions about 57218

What planting zone is ZIP code 57218?

ZIP code 57218 (Brandt, SD) is in USDA hardiness zone 4b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −25 to −20 °F (−31.7 to −28.9 °C).

When is the last frost in Brandt, SD?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 57218 is May 7; after May 21 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Clear Lake station.

When is the first frost in Brandt, SD?

The median first fall frost near 57218 is October 1, giving a median frost-free growing season of 146 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 57218?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 12 – Mar 26 and set transplants outside around May 14 – May 28, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 57218 get?

About 26.4 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Clear Lake 0.6 Ssw station).

How hot do summers get in Brandt, SD?

The average high peaks at 80 °F in July, with about 6 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 57218 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Singsaas at the center of ZIP 57218: silty clay loam, well drained, pH about 6.6 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Brandt, SD in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 57218 came on Apr 8 in 2026, 11 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 19), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Brandt, SD?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 57218 is 15 h 34 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).