What Growing Zone Is South Dakota In?
USDA hardiness zones
4a to 5b
2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map
South Dakota spans USDA hardiness zone 4a to 5b across its major population centers, according to the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map. That's a real range, not a single number: where you fall in it depends on where in the state you actually are.
Hardiness zone for ZIP 57104 (Sioux Falls)
Your USDA hardiness zone
Zone 5a
Avg. annual minimum (°F)
-20°F to -15°F
Avg. annual minimum (°C)
-29°C to -26°C
Nearest reference point: Sioux Falls, SD
This is a regional estimate based on the nearest of 826 reference points, each matched to the official 2023 USDA zone map. It’s accurate to within about a half-zone across most of the country, but elevation shifts zones over short distances, so if you’re in mountainous terrain, check the official USDA map for your exact address (see Sources below).
South Dakota's USDA Hardiness Zones
Here's how the zone shifts across South Dakota's major cities:
For your exact zone by ZIP code, use the Hardiness Zone Finder, and for what a zone number actually measures (and doesn't), see how zones actually work.
Frost Dates in South Dakota
Frost dates track zone, so they shift across South Dakota the same way the zone number does:
- Northeastern South Dakota (Aberdeen) (zone 4): average last frost Apr 23 - May 7, average first frost Sep 23 - Oct 7.
- Black Hills foothills (Rapid City, Spearfish) (zone 5): average last frost Apr 8 - Apr 22, average first frost Oct 8 - Oct 22.
These are averages, not guarantees. For your specific frost window, use the Frost Date Calculator. For a full vegetable-by-vegetable planting calendar already calculated from South Dakota's frost dates, see the South Dakota Planting Calendar.
South Dakota State Climatologist Laura Edwards has noted the state's 4a-5b range reflects colder conditions in the north and at higher elevation versus milder conditions in southern river valleys and around the Black Hills foothills.
What Grows Well in South Dakota's Zones
A few real, zone-appropriate picks recommended by South Dakota State University Extension for South Dakota landscapes: not an exhaustive list, but a genuine starting point.
- Black Hills spruce (Picea glauca var. densata)
- Bur oak (Quercus macrocarpa)
- Serviceberry (Juneberry) (Amelanchier alnifolia)
- Chokecherry (Prunus virginiana)
- Bleeding heart (Dicentra spectabilis)
Ready to find your exact zone? Use the Hardiness Zone Finder: enter your ZIP code for a precise match against the 2023 USDA map.
South Dakota Growing Zone FAQ
What growing zone is South Dakota in?
South Dakota spans USDA hardiness zones 4a to 5b on the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Aberdeen is zone 4a and Sioux Falls is zone 5a; enter your ZIP code in the Hardiness Zone Finder for your exact zone.
What growing zone is Sioux Falls, SD?
Sioux Falls is in USDA hardiness zone 5a on the 2023 USDA map. Zones within a city can differ by half a zone, so check your ZIP code for an exact match.
What growing zone is Aberdeen, SD?
Aberdeen is in USDA hardiness zone 4a on the 2023 USDA map. Zones within a city can differ by half a zone, so check your ZIP code for an exact match.
What growing zone is Rapid City, SD?
Rapid City is in USDA hardiness zone 5b on the 2023 USDA map. Zones within a city can differ by half a zone, so check your ZIP code for an exact match.
What growing zone is Spearfish, SD?
Spearfish is in USDA hardiness zone 5b on the 2023 USDA map. Zones within a city can differ by half a zone, so check your ZIP code for an exact match.
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The Spacing & Planting Cheat Sheet
When to start, when to plant, how far apart.
Sources & further reading
Zone and city data checked against the official USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Plant recommendations sourced from South Dakota State University Extension. Climate note sourced from South Dakota State University Extension, Office of State Climatologist. For more on how we build and verify reference data across this site, see our methodology page.
Growing zones in nearby states
Gardening near a state line? Zones don't stop at the border:
- Minnesota growing zones
- Iowa growing zones
- Nebraska growing zones
- Montana growing zones
- North Dakota growing zones
- Wyoming growing zones
Or browse all 51 state growing-zone guides.