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

Planting zone for 57243 — Henry, SD

ZIP code 57243 (Henry, Codington 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 September 30.

Where ZIP 57243 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 frostSep 30

2012 zone4a

Was 4a on the 2012 map — half a zone warmer now. 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 Henry, 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 Henry, 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 20only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostSeptember 30median — 10% chance by Sep 19

Growing season145 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 29 and returns around October 9.

From the NOAA station Watertown Regional Airport, SD — 14 miles away, elevation 1,749 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 57243

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 5 – Aug 19

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 16 – Oct 21

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 7) and first fall frost (Sep 30) 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 57243 came on Apr 17 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Apr 19).

average
Apr 192026
Apr 17

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).

Soil in Henry, SD

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 57243 is Buse — loam, well drained.

TextureLoama good balance for most vegetables

pH7.6slightly alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter2.5%moderate

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Buse-Barnes loams, 9 to 20 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 57243; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Henry, SD

Summer high82 °Faverage high, July

Winter low3 °Faverage low, January

Hot days9days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights174nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,370base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 36 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day8 h 46 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation22.7 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall41 inper year; 93 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 Regional Airport, SD (14 mi away); precipitation: Watertown Regional Airport, SD (14 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 4b.

572364b

Garden City, SD · 9 mi

Watertown, SD · 17 mi

South Dakota planting zones →

Questions about 57243

What planting zone is ZIP code 57243?

ZIP code 57243 (Henry, 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 Henry, SD?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 57243 is May 7; after May 20 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Watertown Regional Airport station.

When is the first frost in Henry, SD?

The median first fall frost near 57243 is September 30, giving a median frost-free growing season of 145 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 57243?

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 57243 get?

About 22.7 inches of precipitation a year and 41 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Watertown Regional Airport station).

How hot do summers get in Henry, SD?

The average high peaks at 82 °F in July, with about 9 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 57243 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Buse at the center of ZIP 57243: loam, well drained, pH about 7.6 (slightly alkaline).

Did spring come early in Henry, SD in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 57243 came on Apr 17 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Apr 19), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Henry, SD?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 57243 is 15 h 36 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 57243 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 57243 in zone 4a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 4b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.