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

Planting zone for 57717 — Belle Fourche, SD

ZIP code 57717 (Belle Fourche, Butte County) is in USDA zone 4b: the coldest winter night averages −25 to −20 °F. The median last spring frost is May 15 and the first fall frost September 24.

Where ZIP 57717 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 15
First frostSep 24
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 Belle Fourche, 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 Belle Fourche, SD

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 15median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 28only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostSeptember 24median — 10% chance by Sep 9
Growing season130 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 5 and returns around October 2.

From the NOAA station Belle Fourche 22 Nnw, SD — 4 miles away, elevation 3,199 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 57717

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Apr 3 – Apr 17
SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 3 – Apr 24
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 6 – Mar 20
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 24 – May 8
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 17 – May 1
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 24 – May 8
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 17 – May 1
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 24 – May 8
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 20 – Apr 3
TomatoesTransplant · May 22 – Jun 5
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 6 – Mar 20
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 29 – Jun 12
BeansSow outdoors · May 22 – Jun 5
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 22 – Jun 5
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 22 – Jun 5
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Jul 30 – Aug 13
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 10 – Oct 15
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 15) and first fall frost (Sep 24) 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 57717 came on Mar 23 — 19 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 11).

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 Belle Fourche, SD.

Soil in Belle Fourche, SD

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 57717 is Epsie — clay, well drained.

TextureClayholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up
pH7.2neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter0.75%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Epsie-Shale land complex, 9 to 45 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 57717; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Belle Fourche, SD

Summer high87 °Faverage high, July
Winter low9 °Faverage low, January
Hot days33days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights184nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,323base 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)
Precipitation14.7 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall37 inper year

Average high and low, by month

0°10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 32 °F, low 9 °F 32°9° JanFebruary: average high 35 °F, low 11 °F 35°11° FebMarch: average high 45 °F, low 20 °F 45°20° MarApril: average high 56 °F, low 30 °F 56°30° AprMay: average high 66 °F, low 41 °F 66°41° MayJune: average high 77 °F, low 50 °F 77°50° JunJuly: average high 87 °F, low 57 °F 87°57° JulAugust: average high 86 °F, low 54 °F 86°54° AugSeptember: average high 76 °F, low 44 °F 76°44° SepOctober: average high 59 °F, low 31 °F 59°31° OctNovember: average high 45 °F, low 19 °F 45°19° NovDecember: average high 34 °F, low 10 °F 34°10° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″3″January: 0.26 in precipitation, 3.5 in snowfall 0.3❄4 JanFebruary: 0.39 in precipitation, 6.3 in snowfall 0.4❄6 FebMarch: 0.78 in precipitation, 7.6 in snowfall 0.8❄8 MarApril: 1.57 in precipitation, 4.7 in snowfall 1.6❄5 AprMay: 2.68 in precipitation, 1.1 in snowfall 2.7❄1 MayJune: 2.63 in precipitation 2.6 JunJuly: 2.05 in precipitation 2.0 JulAugust: 1.62 in precipitation 1.6 AugSeptember: 0.90 in precipitation 0.9 SepOctober: 1.11 in precipitation, 1.4 in snowfall 1.1❄1 OctNovember: 0.39 in precipitation, 4.8 in snowfall 0.4❄5 NovDecember: 0.36 in precipitation, 7.7 in snowfall 0.4❄8 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Belle Fourche 22 Nnw, SD (4 mi away); precipitation: Belle Fourche 22 Nnw, SD (4 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

577624b
Nisland, SD · 18 mi
577795b
Saint Onge, SD · 26 mi
827105a
Aladdin, WY · 26 mi
577604b
Newell, SD · 28 mi
577764b
Redig, SD · 28 mi
827125a
Beulah, WY · 30 mi
577935a
Whitewood, SD · 32 mi
827115a
Alva, WY · 33 mi

South Dakota planting zones →

Questions about 57717

What planting zone is ZIP code 57717?

ZIP code 57717 (Belle Fourche, 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 Belle Fourche, SD?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 57717 is May 15; after May 28 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Belle Fourche 22 Nnw station.

When is the first frost in Belle Fourche, SD?

The median first fall frost near 57717 is September 24, giving a median frost-free growing season of 130 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 57717?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 20 – Apr 3 and set transplants outside around May 22 – Jun 5, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 57717 get?

About 14.7 inches of precipitation a year and 37 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Belle Fourche 22 Nnw station).

How hot do summers get in Belle Fourche, SD?

The average high peaks at 87 °F in July, with about 33 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 57717 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Epsie at the center of ZIP 57717: clay, well drained, pH about 7.2 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Belle Fourche, SD in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 57717 came on Mar 23 in 2026, 19 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 11), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Belle Fourche, SD?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 57717 is 15 h 36 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).