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

Planting zone for 57579 — White River, SD

ZIP code 57579 (White River, Mellette County) is in USDA zone 5a: the coldest winter night averages −20 to −15 °F. The median last spring frost is May 6 and the first fall frost October 4.

Where ZIP 57579 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.

Zone5a−20 to −15 °F
Coldest night−28.9 to −26.1 °C
Last frostMay 6
First frostOct 4
2012 zone4b

Was 4b 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 5a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for White River, 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 White River, SD

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 6median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 22only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 4median — 10% chance by Sep 22
Growing season151 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 29 and returns around October 14.

From the NOAA station Cedar Butte, SD — 12 miles away, elevation 2,356 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 57579

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 25 – Apr 8
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 25 – Apr 15
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 25 – Mar 11
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 15 – Apr 29
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 8 – Apr 22
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 15 – Apr 29
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 8 – Apr 22
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 15 – Apr 29
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 11 – Mar 25
TomatoesTransplant · May 13 – May 27
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 25 – Mar 11
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 20 – Jun 3
BeansSow outdoors · May 13 – May 27
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 13 – May 27
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 13 – May 27
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 6) 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 57579 came on Mar 17 — 18 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 4).

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 5a in South Dakota

452 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in South Dakota, and rated by the USDA to survive −20 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 5a. 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 70

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 202

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 144

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 White River, SD.

Soil in White River, SD

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 57579 is Hilmoe — silt loam, well drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables
pH7.9alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter2.5%moderate
Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly
Farmland classPrime farmland if irrigatedUSDA classification

Map unit: Hilmoe silt loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes, rarely flooded.

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 57579; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in White River, SD

Summer high90 °Faverage high, July
Winter low12 °Faverage low, January
Hot days45days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights156nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days3,060base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 26 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day8 h 56 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation20.4 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall40 inper year; 56 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

0°10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 35 °F, low 12 °F 35°12° JanFebruary: average high 39 °F, low 15 °F 39°15° FebMarch: average high 50 °F, low 24 °F 50°24° MarApril: average high 59 °F, low 34 °F 59°34° AprMay: average high 70 °F, low 45 °F 70°45° MayJune: average high 81 °F, low 55 °F 81°55° JunJuly: average high 90 °F, low 62 °F 90°62° JulAugust: average high 88 °F, low 60 °F 88°60° AugSeptember: average high 80 °F, low 50 °F 80°50° SepOctober: average high 64 °F, low 37 °F 64°37° OctNovember: average high 49 °F, low 25 °F 49°25° NovDecember: average high 38 °F, low 16 °F 38°16° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″3″4″January: 0.46 in precipitation, 6.6 in snowfall 0.5❄7 JanFebruary: 0.60 in precipitation, 8 in snowfall 0.6❄8 FebMarch: 0.88 in precipitation, 6 in snowfall 0.9❄6 MarApril: 2.37 in precipitation, 5.6 in snowfall 2.4❄6 AprMay: 3.44 in precipitation, 0.4 in snowfall 3.4 MayJune: 3.46 in precipitation 3.5 JunJuly: 2.62 in precipitation 2.6 JulAugust: 2.17 in precipitation 2.2 AugSeptember: 1.63 in precipitation 1.6 SepOctober: 1.79 in precipitation, 1.6 in snowfall 1.8❄2 OctNovember: 0.55 in precipitation, 5.1 in snowfall 0.6❄5 NovDecember: 0.44 in precipitation, 6.7 in snowfall 0.4❄7 Dec

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

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 5a.

575855a
Wood, SD · 20 mi
575555a
Mission, SD · 21 mi
575705a
Rosebud, SD · 23 mi
575605a
Norris, SD · 23 mi
575625a
Okaton, SD · 24 mi
575665a
Parmelee, SD · 24 mi
575635a
Okreek, SD · 24 mi
575215a
Belvidere, SD · 25 mi

South Dakota planting zones →

Questions about 57579

What planting zone is ZIP code 57579?

ZIP code 57579 (White River, SD) is in USDA hardiness zone 5a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −20 to −15 °F (−28.9 to −26.1 °C).

When is the last frost in White River, SD?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 57579 is May 6; after May 22 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Cedar Butte station.

When is the first frost in White River, SD?

The median first fall frost near 57579 is October 4, giving a median frost-free growing season of 151 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 57579?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 11 – Mar 25 and set transplants outside around May 13 – May 27, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 57579 get?

About 20.4 inches of precipitation a year and 40 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Cedar Butte station).

How hot do summers get in White River, SD?

The average high peaks at 90 °F in July, with about 45 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 57579 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Hilmoe at the center of ZIP 57579: silt loam, well drained, pH about 7.9 (alkaline).

Did spring come early in White River, SD in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 57579 came on Mar 17 in 2026, 18 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 4), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in White River, SD?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 57579 is 15 h 26 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 57579 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 57579 in zone 4b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 5a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.