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

Planting zone for 57792 — White Owl, SD

ZIP code 57792 (White Owl, Meade 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 27.

Where ZIP 57792 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 27
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 White Owl, 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 White Owl, 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 29only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostSeptember 27median — 10% chance by Sep 14
Growing season134 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 5 and returns around October 6.

From the NOAA station Plainview 6 Ssw, SD — 9 miles away, elevation 2,379 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 57792

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 · Aug 2 – Aug 16
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 13 – Oct 18
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 15) and first fall frost (Sep 27) 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 57792 came on Mar 23 — 17 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 9).

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 White Owl, SD.

Soil in White Owl, SD

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 57792 is Assinniboine — fine sandy loam, well drained.

TextureFine sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH7.2neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter2.5%moderate
Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately
Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Assinniboine fine sandy loam, 6 to 9 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 57792; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in White Owl, SD

Summer high87 °Faverage high, July
Winter low7 °Faverage low, January
Hot days37days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights181nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,467base 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)
Precipitation17.1 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall43 inper year

Average high and low, by month

0°10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 31 °F, low 7 °F 31°7° JanFebruary: average high 35 °F, low 10 °F 35°10° FebMarch: average high 47 °F, low 19 °F 47°19° MarApril: average high 58 °F, low 30 °F 58°30° AprMay: average high 68 °F, low 41 °F 68°41° MayJune: average high 79 °F, low 52 °F 79°52° JunJuly: average high 87 °F, low 58 °F 87°58° JulAugust: average high 86 °F, low 55 °F 86°55° AugSeptember: average high 77 °F, low 45 °F 77°45° SepOctober: average high 60 °F, low 32 °F 60°32° OctNovember: average high 46 °F, low 19 °F 46°19° NovDecember: average high 34 °F, low 10 °F 34°10° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″3″4″January: 0.33 in precipitation, 5 in snowfall 0.3❄5 JanFebruary: 0.45 in precipitation, 5.1 in snowfall 0.5❄5 FebMarch: 0.91 in precipitation, 8.8 in snowfall 0.9❄9 MarApril: 1.89 in precipitation, 8.1 in snowfall 1.9❄8 AprMay: 3.19 in precipitation, 0.9 in snowfall 3.2❄1 MayJune: 2.93 in precipitation 2.9 JunJuly: 2.44 in precipitation 2.4 JulAugust: 1.41 in precipitation 1.4 AugSeptember: 1.15 in precipitation 1.1 SepOctober: 1.59 in precipitation, 3.4 in snowfall 1.6❄3 OctNovember: 0.44 in precipitation, 4.1 in snowfall 0.4❄4 NovDecember: 0.38 in precipitation, 7.1 in snowfall 0.4❄7 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Plainview 6 Ssw, SD (9 mi away); precipitation: Plainview 6 Ssw, SD (9 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

577374b
Enning, SD · 8 mi
577874b
Union Center, SD · 15 mi
577484b
Howes, SD · 18 mi
577914b
Wasta, SD · 25 mi
576264b
Faith, SD · 29 mi
577615a
New Underwood, SD · 33 mi
577584b
Mud Butte, SD · 33 mi
577675a
Owanka, SD · 33 mi

South Dakota planting zones →

Questions about 57792

What planting zone is ZIP code 57792?

ZIP code 57792 (White Owl, 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 White Owl, SD?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 57792 is May 15; after May 29 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Plainview 6 Ssw station.

When is the first frost in White Owl, SD?

The median first fall frost near 57792 is September 27, giving a median frost-free growing season of 134 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 57792?

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 57792 get?

About 17.1 inches of precipitation a year and 43 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Plainview 6 Ssw station).

How hot do summers get in White Owl, SD?

The average high peaks at 87 °F in July, with about 37 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 57792 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Assinniboine at the center of ZIP 57792: fine sandy loam, well drained, pH about 7.2 (neutral).

Did spring come early in White Owl, SD in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 57792 came on Mar 23 in 2026, 17 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 9), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in White Owl, SD?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 57792 is 15 h 34 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).