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

Planting zone for 57709 — Rapid City, SD

ZIP code 57709 (Rapid City, Pennington County) is in USDA zone 5b: the coldest winter night averages −15 to −10 °F. The median last spring frost is May 10 and the first fall frost October 5.

Where ZIP 57709 is

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.

Zone5b−15 to −10 °F
Coldest night−26.1 to −23.3 °C
Last frostMay 10
First frostOct 5
2012 zone5a

Was 5a 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 5b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Rapid City, 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 Rapid City, 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 25only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 5median — 10% chance by Sep 20
Growing season147 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 28 and returns around October 15.

From the NOAA station Rapid City 4nw, SD — 4 miles away, elevation 3,478 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 57709

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 10 – Aug 24
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 21 – Oct 26
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 10) and first fall frost (Oct 5) 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 57709 came on Mar 12 — 29 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 10).

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 5b in South Dakota

458 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in South Dakota, and rated by the USDA to survive −15 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 5b. 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 206

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 146

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 Rapid City, SD.

Soil in Rapid City, SD

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 57709 is Sawdust — gravelly loam, well drained.

TextureGravelly loama good balance for most vegetables
pH7.5slightly alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter3%moderate
Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Sawdust-Vanocker, dry-Rockerville complex, 10 to 40 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 57709; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Rapid City, SD

Summer high84 °Faverage high, July
Winter low13 °Faverage low, January
Hot days20days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights170nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,317base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 30 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day8 h 53 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation23.9 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

0°10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°32 °FJanuary: average high 37 °F, low 13 °F 37°13° JanFebruary: average high 38 °F, low 15 °F 38°15° FebMarch: average high 47 °F, low 23 °F 47°23° MarApril: average high 54 °F, low 31 °F 54°31° AprMay: average high 64 °F, low 42 °F 64°42° MayJune: average high 75 °F, low 52 °F 75°52° JunJuly: average high 84 °F, low 58 °F 84°58° JulAugust: average high 83 °F, low 56 °F 83°56° AugSeptember: average high 74 °F, low 47 °F 74°47° SepOctober: average high 59 °F, low 35 °F 59°35° OctNovember: average high 47 °F, low 24 °F 47°24° NovDecember: average high 39 °F, low 15 °F 39°15° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 0.47 in precipitation 0.5 JanFebruary: 0.67 in precipitation 0.7 FebMarch: 1.24 in precipitation 1.2 MarApril: 2.79 in precipitation 2.8 AprMay: 4.71 in precipitation 4.7 MayJune: 3.67 in precipitation 3.7 JunJuly: 3.13 in precipitation 3.1 JulAugust: 2.25 in precipitation 2.3 AugSeptember: 1.76 in precipitation 1.8 SepOctober: 1.87 in precipitation 1.9 OctNovember: 0.67 in precipitation 0.7 NovDecember: 0.71 in precipitation 0.7 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Rapid City 4nw, SD (4 mi away); precipitation: Rapid City 3.4 Wnw, SD (within 1 mile). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

577025a
Rapid City, SD · 6 mi
577015b
Rapid City, SD · 7 mi
577185a
Black Hawk, SD · 7 mi
577695a
Piedmont, SD · 12 mi
577065b
Ellsworth Afb, SD · 12 mi
577035a
Rapid City, SD · 15 mi
577515a
Keystone, SD · 15 mi
577595a
Nemo, SD · 16 mi

All 4 ZIP codes in Rapid City → · South Dakota planting zones →

Questions about 57709

What planting zone is ZIP code 57709?

ZIP code 57709 (Rapid City, SD) is in USDA hardiness zone 5b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −15 to −10 °F (−26.1 to −23.3 °C).

When is the last frost in Rapid City, SD?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 57709 is May 10; after May 25 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Rapid City 4nw station.

When is the first frost in Rapid City, SD?

The median first fall frost near 57709 is October 5, giving a median frost-free growing season of 147 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 57709?

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 57709 get?

About 23.9 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Rapid City 3.4 Wnw station).

How hot do summers get in Rapid City, SD?

The average high peaks at 84 °F in July, with about 20 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 57709 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Sawdust at the center of ZIP 57709: gravelly loam, well drained, pH about 7.5 (slightly alkaline).

Did spring come early in Rapid City, SD in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 57709 came on Mar 12 in 2026, 29 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 10), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Rapid City, SD?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 57709 is 15 h 30 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 57709 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 57709 in zone 5a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 5b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.