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

Planting zone for 57242 — Hazel, SD

ZIP code 57242 (Hazel, Hamlin County) is in USDA zone 4b: the coldest winter night averages −25 to −20 °F. The median last spring frost is May 3 and the first fall frost October 4.

Where ZIP 57242 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 3

First frostOct 4

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 Hazel, 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 Hazel, SD

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMay 3median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 14only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 4median — 10% chance by Sep 22

Growing season153 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 23 and returns around October 14.

From the NOAA station Watertown 2 S, SD — 14 miles away, elevation 1,772 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 57242

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 22 – Apr 5

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 22 – Apr 12

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 22 – Mar 8

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 12 – Apr 26

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 5 – Apr 19

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 12 – Apr 26

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 5 – Apr 19

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 12 – Apr 26

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 8 – Mar 22

TomatoesTransplant · May 10 – May 24

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 22 – Mar 8

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 17 – May 31

BeansSow outdoors · May 10 – May 24

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 10 – May 24

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 10 – May 24

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 9 – Aug 23

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 20 – Oct 25

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 3) and first fall frost (Oct 4) 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 57242 came on Apr 16 — 3 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 19).

average
Apr 192026
Apr 16

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 Hazel, SD.

Soil in Hazel, SD

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 57242 is Poinsett — silty clay loam, well drained.

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

pH6.7neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter3%moderate

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Poinsett-Waubay silty clay loams, 1 to 6 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 57242; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Hazel, SD

Summer high82 °Faverage high, July

Winter low4 °Faverage low, January

Hot days8days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights175nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,439base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 35 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day8 h 47 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation23.7 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall34 inper year; 91 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Watertown 2 S, SD (14 mi away); precipitation: Hayti, SD (10 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 4b.

Lake Norden, SD · 16 mi

572014b

Watertown, SD · 17 mi

572784b

Willow Lake, SD · 18 mi

572334b

Erwin, SD · 18 mi

South Dakota planting zones →

Questions about 57242

What planting zone is ZIP code 57242?

ZIP code 57242 (Hazel, 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 Hazel, SD?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 57242 is May 3; after May 14 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Watertown 2 S station.

When is the first frost in Hazel, SD?

The median first fall frost near 57242 is October 4, giving a median frost-free growing season of 153 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 57242?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 8 – Mar 22 and set transplants outside around May 10 – May 24, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 57242 get?

About 23.7 inches of precipitation a year and 34 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Hayti station).

How hot do summers get in Hazel, SD?

The average high peaks at 82 °F in July, with about 8 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 57242 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Poinsett at the center of ZIP 57242: silty clay loam, well drained, pH about 6.7 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Hazel, SD in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 57242 came on Apr 16 in 2026, 3 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 19), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Hazel, SD?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 57242 is 15 h 35 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).