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

Planting zone for 57719 — Box Elder, SD

ZIP code 57719 (Box Elder, Pennington County) is in USDA zone 5a: the coldest winter night averages −20 to −15 °F. The median last spring frost is May 8 and the first fall frost October 3.

Where ZIP 57719 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 8
First frostOct 3
2012 zone5a

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 5a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Box Elder, 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 Box Elder, SD

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 8median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 22only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 3median — 10% chance by Sep 20
Growing season147 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 30 and returns around October 14.

From the NOAA station Hereford 12 Sw, SD — 9 miles away, elevation 2,812 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 57719

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 27 – Apr 10
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 27 – Apr 17
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 27 – Mar 13
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 17 – May 1
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 10 – Apr 24
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 17 – May 1
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 10 – Apr 24
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 17 – May 1
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 13 – Mar 27
TomatoesTransplant · May 15 – May 29
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 27 – Mar 13
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 22 – Jun 5
BeansSow outdoors · May 15 – May 29
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 15 – May 29
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 15 – May 29
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 8 – Aug 22
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 19 – Oct 24
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 8) and first fall frost (Oct 3) 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 57719 came on Mar 13 — 24 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 6).

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 Box Elder, SD.

Soil in Box Elder, SD

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 57719 is Nunn — clay loam, well drained.

TextureClay loamholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up
pH7.0neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter3%moderate
Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly
Farmland classPrime farmland if irrigatedUSDA classification

Map unit: Nunn clay loam, 2 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 57719; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Box Elder, SD

Summer high86 °Faverage high, July
Winter low12 °Faverage low, January
Hot days33days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights166nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,544base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 31 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day8 h 51 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation19.3 inper year, rain and melted snow

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 37 °F, low 14 °F 37°14° FebMarch: average high 48 °F, low 24 °F 48°24° MarApril: average high 58 °F, low 33 °F 58°33° AprMay: average high 67 °F, low 43 °F 67°43° MayJune: average high 78 °F, low 52 °F 78°52° JunJuly: average high 86 °F, low 59 °F 86°59° JulAugust: average high 86 °F, low 57 °F 86°57° AugSeptember: average high 76 °F, low 47 °F 76°47° SepOctober: average high 60 °F, low 35 °F 60°35° OctNovember: average high 47 °F, low 22 °F 47°22° NovDecember: average high 36 °F, low 15 °F 36°15° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″January: 0.37 in precipitation 0.4 JanFebruary: 0.59 in precipitation 0.6 FebMarch: 0.98 in precipitation 1.0 MarApril: 2.16 in precipitation 2.2 AprMay: 3.98 in precipitation 4.0 MayJune: 3.32 in precipitation 3.3 JunJuly: 2.42 in precipitation 2.4 JulAugust: 1.64 in precipitation 1.6 AugSeptember: 1.34 in precipitation 1.3 SepOctober: 1.58 in precipitation 1.6 OctNovember: 0.49 in precipitation 0.5 NovDecember: 0.42 in precipitation 0.4 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Hereford 12 Sw, SD (9 mi away); precipitation: Box Elder 8.0 Nne, SD (2 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

577065b
Ellsworth Afb, SD · 7 mi
577615a
New Underwood, SD · 10 mi
577015b
Rapid City, SD · 13 mi
577695a
Piedmont, SD · 15 mi
577855a
Sturgis, SD · 15 mi
577035a
Rapid City, SD · 16 mi
577185a
Black Hawk, SD · 19 mi
577095b
Rapid City, SD · 19 mi

South Dakota planting zones →

Questions about 57719

What planting zone is ZIP code 57719?

ZIP code 57719 (Box Elder, 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 Box Elder, SD?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 57719 is May 8; after May 22 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Hereford 12 Sw station.

When is the first frost in Box Elder, SD?

The median first fall frost near 57719 is October 3, giving a median frost-free growing season of 147 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 57719?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 13 – Mar 27 and set transplants outside around May 15 – May 29, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 57719 get?

About 19.3 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Box Elder 8.0 Nne station).

How hot do summers get in Box Elder, SD?

The average high peaks at 86 °F in July, with about 33 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 57719 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Nunn at the center of ZIP 57719: clay loam, well drained, pH about 7.0 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Box Elder, SD in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 57719 came on Mar 13 in 2026, 24 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 6), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Box Elder, SD?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 57719 is 15 h 31 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).