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

Planting zone for 57263 — South Shore, SD

ZIP code 57263 (South Shore, Codington County) is in USDA zone 4b: the coldest winter night averages −25 to −20 °F. The median last spring frost is May 14 and the first fall frost September 28.

Where ZIP 57263 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 14
First frostSep 28
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 South Shore, 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 South Shore, SD

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 14median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 28only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostSeptember 28median — 10% chance by Sep 13
Growing season136 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 4 and returns around October 4.

From the NOAA station Summit 1 W, SD — 12 miles away, elevation 1,955 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 57263

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Apr 2 – Apr 16
SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 2 – Apr 23
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 5 – Mar 19
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 23 – May 7
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 16 – Apr 30
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 23 – May 7
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 16 – Apr 30
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 23 – May 7
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 19 – Apr 2
TomatoesTransplant · May 21 – Jun 4
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 5 – Mar 19
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 28 – Jun 11
BeansSow outdoors · May 21 – Jun 4
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 21 – Jun 4
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 21 – Jun 4
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 3 – Aug 17
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 14 – Oct 19
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 14) and first fall frost (Sep 28) 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 57263 came on Apr 19 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Apr 20).

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.

Trees 23

American basswood100 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican elm120 ft · blooms early spring · medium shade tolerance · to −46 °Fbalsam poplar80 ft · blooms late spring · high shade tolerance · to −79 °Fblack locust60 ft · blooms spring · high shade tolerance · to −37 °Fblack maple100 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −47 °Fblack walnut100 ft · blooms late spring · high shade tolerance · to −28 °F

Shrubs 65

alderleaf buckthorn3 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −33 °Falderleaf mountain mahogany15 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −41 °FAmerican black currant3 ft · blooms early spring · to −46 °FAmerican hazelnut10 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican plum24 ft · blooms mid spring · high shade tolerance · to −38 °Fbeaked hazelnut15 ft · blooms early spring · low shade tolerance · to −47 °F

Wildflowers & perennials 191

alkali buttercup1 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Falpine bistort1 ft · blooms mid spring · high shade tolerance · to −38 °Falpine mountainsorrel1 ft · blooms mid summer · medium shade tolerance · to −43 °Falpine sweetvetch2 ft · blooms early summer · high shade tolerance · to −62 °FAmerican eelgrass1 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican licorice4 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °F

Grasses 138

Alaska oniongrass3 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −33 °Falkali cordgrass3 ft · blooms late summer · high shade tolerance · to −38 °Falkali sacaton3 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −38 °Falpine timothy1.4 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −43 °Farctic brome3 ft · blooms early summer · low shade tolerance · to −33 °Fawlfruit sedge4 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °F

Vines 5

American bittersweet15 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Fdevil's darning needles15 ft · blooms mid summer · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °Friverbank grape45 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °FVirginia creeper1 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −28 °Fwestern white clematis1 ft · blooms mid summer · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °F

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 South Shore, SD.

Soil in South Shore, SD

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 57263 is Barnes — loam, well drained.

TextureLoama good balance for most vegetables
pH6.8neutral; 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: Barnes-Svea 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 57263; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in South Shore, SD

Summer high82 °Faverage high, July
Winter low2 °Faverage low, January
Hot days7days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights180nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,331base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 38 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day8 h 45 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation25.7 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall59 inper year; 107 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

−10°0°10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°32 °FJanuary: average high 21 °F, low 2 °F 21°2° JanFebruary: average high 26 °F, low 6 °F 26°6° FebMarch: average high 39 °F, low 18 °F 39°18° MarApril: average high 55 °F, low 30 °F 55°30° AprMay: average high 68 °F, low 43 °F 68°43° MayJune: average high 77 °F, low 54 °F 77°54° JunJuly: average high 82 °F, low 58 °F 82°58° JulAugust: average high 80 °F, low 56 °F 80°56° AugSeptember: average high 73 °F, low 48 °F 73°48° SepOctober: average high 58 °F, low 34 °F 58°34° OctNovember: average high 40 °F, low 21 °F 40°21° NovDecember: average high 26 °F, low 9 °F 26°9° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 0.65 in precipitation, 10.2 in snowfall 0.7❄10 JanFebruary: 0.69 in precipitation, 12.4 in snowfall 0.7❄12 FebMarch: 1.03 in precipitation, 8.8 in snowfall 1.0❄9 MarApril: 2.34 in precipitation, 7.8 in snowfall 2.3❄8 AprMay: 3.16 in precipitation, 0.1 in snowfall 3.2 MayJune: 3.95 in precipitation 4.0 JunJuly: 4.07 in precipitation 4.1 JulAugust: 2.97 in precipitation 3.0 AugSeptember: 2.77 in precipitation 2.8 SepOctober: 2.51 in precipitation, 2 in snowfall 2.5❄2 OctNovember: 0.90 in precipitation, 5.4 in snowfall 0.9❄5 NovDecember: 0.66 in precipitation, 11.9 in snowfall 0.7❄12 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Summit 1 W, SD (12 mi away); precipitation: Summit 1 W, SD (12 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

1 of the 8 nearest ZIP codes are in a different zone — elevation and distance from water change winter lows quickly.

572644b
Stockholm, SD · 10 mi
572514b
Marvin, SD · 10 mi
572664a
Summit, SD · 11 mi
572694b
Twin Brooks, SD · 12 mi
572564b
Ortley, SD · 12 mi
572014b
Watertown, SD · 15 mi
572654b
Strandburg, SD · 15 mi
572354b
Florence, SD · 16 mi

South Dakota planting zones →

Questions about 57263

What planting zone is ZIP code 57263?

ZIP code 57263 (South Shore, 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 South Shore, SD?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 57263 is May 14; after May 28 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Summit 1 W station.

When is the first frost in South Shore, SD?

The median first fall frost near 57263 is September 28, giving a median frost-free growing season of 136 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 57263?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 19 – Apr 2 and set transplants outside around May 21 – Jun 4, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 57263 get?

About 25.7 inches of precipitation a year and 59 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Summit 1 W station).

How hot do summers get in South Shore, SD?

The average high peaks at 82 °F in July, with about 7 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 57263 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Barnes at the center of ZIP 57263: loam, well drained, pH about 6.8 (neutral).

Did spring come early in South Shore, SD in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 57263 came on Apr 19 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Apr 20), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in South Shore, SD?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 57263 is 15 h 38 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).