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

Planting zone for 57638 — Lemmon, SD

ZIP code 57638 (Lemmon, Perkins County) is in USDA zone 4b: the coldest winter night averages −25 to −20 °F. The median last spring frost is May 10 and the first fall frost September 30.

Where ZIP 57638 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 10
First frostSep 30
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 Lemmon, 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 Lemmon, SD

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 10median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 24only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostSeptember 30median — 10% chance by Sep 18
Growing season142 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 1 and returns around October 9.

From the NOAA station Lemmon, SD — 6 miles away, elevation 2,566 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 57638

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 29 – Apr 12
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 29 – Apr 19
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 1 – Mar 15
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 19 – May 3
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 12 – Apr 26
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 19 – May 3
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 12 – Apr 26
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 19 – May 3
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 15 – Mar 29
TomatoesTransplant · May 17 – May 31
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 1 – Mar 15
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 24 – Jun 7
BeansSow outdoors · May 17 – May 31
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 17 – May 31
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 17 – May 31
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 10) 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 57638 came on Apr 1 — 15 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (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.

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 Lemmon, SD.

Soil in Lemmon, SD

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 57638 is Regent — silty clay loam, well drained.

TextureSilty clay loamholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up
pH6.2slightly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter3%moderate
Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly
Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Regent-Wyola silty clay loams, 3 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 57638; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Lemmon, SD

Summer high87 °Faverage high, July
Winter low9 °Faverage low, January
Hot days27days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights171nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,608base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 44 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day8 h 39 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation18 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall42 inper year; 80 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 29 °F, low 9 °F 29°9° JanFebruary: average high 33 °F, low 12 °F 33°12° FebMarch: average high 45 °F, low 21 °F 45°21° MarApril: average high 58 °F, low 32 °F 58°32° AprMay: average high 69 °F, low 43 °F 69°43° MayJune: average high 79 °F, low 53 °F 79°53° JunJuly: average high 87 °F, low 59 °F 87°59° JulAugust: average high 86 °F, low 57 °F 86°57° AugSeptember: average high 77 °F, low 47 °F 77°47° SepOctober: average high 60 °F, low 35 °F 60°35° OctNovember: average high 44 °F, low 22 °F 44°22° NovDecember: average high 32 °F, low 12 °F 32°12° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″3″4″January: 0.26 in precipitation, 4.5 in snowfall 0.3❄5 JanFebruary: 0.48 in precipitation, 7.6 in snowfall 0.5❄8 FebMarch: 0.79 in precipitation, 7.5 in snowfall 0.8❄8 MarApril: 1.71 in precipitation, 4.8 in snowfall 1.7❄5 AprMay: 2.84 in precipitation, 0.7 in snowfall 2.8❄1 MayJune: 3.03 in precipitation 3.0 JunJuly: 2.75 in precipitation 2.8 JulAugust: 2.11 in precipitation 2.1 AugSeptember: 1.48 in precipitation 1.5 SepOctober: 1.54 in precipitation, 3.1 in snowfall 1.5❄3 OctNovember: 0.60 in precipitation, 5.2 in snowfall 0.6❄5 NovDecember: 0.41 in precipitation, 8.9 in snowfall 0.4❄9 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Lemmon, SD (6 mi away); precipitation: Lemmon, SD (6 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

576344b
Keldron, SD · 19 mi
576404b
Lodgepole, SD · 24 mi
586394b
Hettinger, ND · 24 mi
576454b
Morristown, SD · 25 mi
576444b
Meadow, SD · 28 mi
576604b
Watauga, SD · 34 mi
585624a
New Leipzig, ND · 36 mi
586464a
Mott, ND · 36 mi

South Dakota planting zones →

Questions about 57638

What planting zone is ZIP code 57638?

ZIP code 57638 (Lemmon, 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 Lemmon, SD?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 57638 is May 10; after May 24 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Lemmon station.

When is the first frost in Lemmon, SD?

The median first fall frost near 57638 is September 30, giving a median frost-free growing season of 142 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 57638?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 15 – Mar 29 and set transplants outside around May 17 – May 31, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 57638 get?

About 18 inches of precipitation a year and 42 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Lemmon station).

How hot do summers get in Lemmon, SD?

The average high peaks at 87 °F in July, with about 27 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 57638 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Regent at the center of ZIP 57638: silty clay loam, well drained, pH about 6.2 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in Lemmon, SD in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 57638 came on Apr 1 in 2026, 15 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 16), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Lemmon, SD?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 57638 is 15 h 44 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).