Data: 2023 USDA zones (PRISM/OSU) · NOAA 1991–2020 normals · updated Oct 29, 2026

Planting zone for 57754 — Lead, SD

ZIP code 57754 (Lead, Lawrence County) is in USDA zone 5a: the coldest winter night averages −20 to −15 °F. The median last spring frost is May 18 and the first fall frost September 29.

Where ZIP 57754 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 18

First frostSep 29

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 Lead, 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 Lead, SD

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free

Last spring frostMay 18median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsJune 1only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostSeptember 29median — 10% chance by Sep 15

Growing season133 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 6 and returns around October 7.

From the NOAA station Lead, SD — 10 miles away, elevation 5,112 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 57754

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Apr 6 – Apr 20

SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 6 – Apr 27

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 9 – Mar 23

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 27 – May 11

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 20 – May 4

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 27 – May 11

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 20 – May 4

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 27 – May 11

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 23 – Apr 6

TomatoesTransplant · May 25 – Jun 8

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 9 – Mar 23

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Jun 1 – Jun 15

BeansSow outdoors · May 25 – Jun 8

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 25 – Jun 8

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 25 – Jun 8

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 4 – Aug 18

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 15 – Oct 20

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 18) and first fall frost (Sep 29) 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 57754 came on Apr 10 — 16 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 26).

average
Apr 262026
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 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.

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 Lead, SD.

Soil in Lead, SD

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 57754 is Stovho — slightly decomposed plant material, well drained.

TextureSlightly decomposed plant materialtop layer

pH4.7strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter60%high

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Stovho-Trebor 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 57754; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Lead, SD

Summer high82 °Faverage high, July

Winter low18 °Faverage low, January

Hot days6days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights167nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,153base 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)

Precipitation25.9 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Lead, SD (10 mi away); precipitation: North Rapid Creek, SD (6 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

577325a

Deadwood, SD · 11 mi

577835b

Spearfish, SD · 14 mi

577595a

Nemo, SD · 16 mi

577454b

Hill City, SD · 17 mi

827125a

Beulah, WY · 22 mi

577795b

Saint Onge, SD · 23 mi

577935a

Whitewood, SD · 24 mi

827294b

Sundance, WY · 25 mi

South Dakota planting zones →

Questions about 57754

What planting zone is ZIP code 57754?

ZIP code 57754 (Lead, 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 Lead, SD?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 57754 is May 18; after June 1 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Lead station.

When is the first frost in Lead, SD?

The median first fall frost near 57754 is September 29, giving a median frost-free growing season of 133 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 57754?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 23 – Apr 6 and set transplants outside around May 25 – Jun 8, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 57754 get?

About 25.9 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, North Rapid Creek station).

How hot do summers get in Lead, SD?

The average high peaks at 82 °F in July, with about 6 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 57754 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Stovho at the center of ZIP 57754: slightly decomposed plant material, well drained, pH about 4.7 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Lead, SD in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 57754 came on Apr 10 in 2026, 16 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 26), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Lead, SD?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 57754 is 15 h 31 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).