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

Planting zone for 57788 — Vale, SD

ZIP code 57788 (Vale, Butte County) is in USDA zone 4b: the coldest winter night averages −25 to −20 °F. The median last spring frost is May 8 and the first fall frost October 1.

Where ZIP 57788 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 8

First frostOct 1

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 Vale, 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 Vale, 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 1median — 10% chance by Sep 19

Growing season144 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 30 and returns around October 11.

From the NOAA station Newell, SD — 13 miles away, elevation 2,861 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 57788

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 6 – Aug 20

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 17 – Oct 22

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 8) and first fall frost (Oct 1) 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 57788 came on Mar 21 — 19 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 9).

average
Apr 92026
Mar 21

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).

Soil in Vale, SD

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 57788 is Lismas — clay, well drained.

TextureClayholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up

pH7.0neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter2%moderate

Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Lismas clay, 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 57788; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Vale, SD

Summer high86 °Faverage high, July

Winter low10 °Faverage low, January

Hot days30days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights178nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,476base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 34 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day8 h 49 mindaylight on December 21

Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)

Precipitation18.7 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: Newell, SD (13 mi away); precipitation: Newell 6.5 Ene, SD (10 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.

577855a

Sturgis, SD · 15 mi

577935a

Whitewood, SD · 19 mi

Union Center, SD · 27 mi

577195a

Box Elder, SD · 29 mi

577325a

Deadwood, SD · 31 mi

South Dakota planting zones →

Questions about 57788

What planting zone is ZIP code 57788?

ZIP code 57788 (Vale, 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 Vale, SD?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 57788 is May 8; after May 22 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Newell station.

When is the first frost in Vale, SD?

The median first fall frost near 57788 is October 1, giving a median frost-free growing season of 144 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 57788?

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 57788 get?

About 18.7 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Newell 6.5 Ene station).

How hot do summers get in Vale, SD?

The average high peaks at 86 °F in July, with about 30 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 57788 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Lismas at the center of ZIP 57788: clay, well drained, pH about 7.0 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Vale, SD in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 57788 came on Mar 21 in 2026, 19 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 9), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Vale, SD?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 57788 is 15 h 34 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).