Planting calendar for Sioux Falls, South Dakota

Dates from 30 years of records at the Sioux Falls weather station, 3.0 miles from Sioux Falls, worked out crop by crop with the same method as the Year Round Garden app.

Sioux Falls at a glance

Weather station: Sioux Falls · 3.0 mi
USDA zone: 5a
Last spring frost: typically May 1; 1 year in 10 after May 14
First fall frost: typically Oct 6; 1 year in 10 before Sep 23
Frost-free season: about 158 days
Hottest month: July: highs 85°F, nights 63°F
Coldest month: January: highs 27°F, nights 8°F
Rain: 28 in. a year, most in May, June and August

What shapes the seasons here

The last spring frost in Sioux Falls typically comes around May 1, but 1 year in 10 it comes after May 14. The first fall frost typically arrives around Oct 6. That leaves about 158 frost-free days for tender crops like tomatoes, peppers and squash.

Sioux Falls gets about 28 inches of rain a year, most of it in May, June and August.

150 of the 174 crops in the app grow here; 24 need a different climate (listed near the bottom).

When to plant the most popular crops

JFMAMJJASOND

Tomato (slicing)

Tomato (cherry & grape)

Pepper (sweet / bell)

Pepper (hot / chili)

Eggplant

Cucumber (slicing)

Summer squash & zucchini

Watermelon

Bean (bush snap)

Sweet corn

Okra

Potato

Pea (snap & snow)

Lettuce (leaf & mesclun)

Spinach

Kale

Collard greens

Broccoli

Cabbage

Carrot

Radish

Onion (bulbing)

Garlic

Basil

Cilantro

Strawberry

Best Can plant Start indoors

Get these dates as reminders for your exact yard

The free Year Round Garden app uses the weather station nearest your own address, not just the city. It reminds you when to start seeds, plant and harvest, sends frost and storm alerts from the National Weather Service, and keeps a garden journal. No account needed, in English and Spanish.

Download on the App Store Free for up to 5 plants on iPhone and Android.

What to plant in Sioux Falls, month by month

January0

Too cold to plant outdoors. Plan beds, order seeds and start the ones listed indoors.

Start seeds indoors

Onion (bulbing), Pansy / viola

February0

Too cold to plant outdoors. Plan beds, order seeds and start the ones listed indoors.

Start seeds indoors

Artichoke, Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, Cabbage, Celeriac (celery root), Celery, Leek, Parsley, Stock

March8

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Kale, Pea (shelling / English), Pea (snap & snow), Shallot, Spinach

Flowers: Larkspur, Pansy / viola, Sweet pea (flower)

Can also plant

Arugula, Mustard greens, Onion (bulbing)

Start seeds indoors

Cardoon, Cauliflower, Celeriac (celery root), Celery, Eggplant, Onion (bulbing), Pepper (hot / chili), Pepper (sweet / bell), Tomato (cherry & grape), Tomato (early / short-season), Tomato (paste / determinate), Tomato (slicing), Catnip, Lavender, Lemon balm, Rosemary, Ground cherry, Purple coneflower (echinacea), Statice, Strawflower

April52

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Artichoke, Arugula, Asparagus, Beet, Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, Cabbage, Carrot, Cauliflower, Celeriac (celery root), Chickpea / garbanzo, Chinese broccoli (gai lan), Collard greens, Daikon radish, Garden cress, Green onion / scallion, Kale, Kohlrabi, Leek, Lettuce (leaf & mesclun), Mustard greens, Onion (bulbing), Parsnip, Radicchio, Radish, Rhubarb, Salsify, Spinach, Swiss chard, Turnip, Watercress

Herbs: Borage, Caraway, Catnip, Chamomile, Dill, Lemon balm, Mint, Parsley, Sorrel (French / garden)

Fruit: Blackberry, Blueberry, Grape (bunch), Raspberry, Strawberry

Flowers: Bachelor's button (cornflower), Calendula, California poppy, Pansy / viola, Stock, Sweet alyssum, Sweet pea (flower)

Can also plant

Broccoli raab (rapini), Pea (shelling / English), Pea (snap & snow), Potato, Shallot, Sunchoke (Jerusalem artichoke), Lovage, Coreopsis (tickseed)

Start seeds indoors

Eggplant, Leek, Onion (bulbing), Pepper (hot / chili), Pepper (sweet / bell), Tomatillo, Tomato (cherry & grape), Tomato (heat-set varieties), Tomato (paste / determinate), Tomato (slicing), Anise hyssop, Basil, Bee balm (bergamot), Chives, Feverfew, Garlic chives, Lavender, Lovage, Marjoram, Oregano, Rosemary, Sage, Shiso (perilla), Thyme, Winter savory, Cucamelon / mouse melon, Ground cherry, Annual salvia, Marigold, Milkweed (native), Purple coneflower (echinacea), Snapdragon

May39

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Armenian cucumber, Bean (bush snap), Bean (dry / shelling), Bean (pole), Bitter melon, Cardoon, Celeriac (celery root), Celery, Cucumber (pickling), Cucumber (slicing), Garden cress, New Zealand spinach, Onion (bulbing), Pepper (hot / chili), Pepper (sweet / bell), Popcorn, Potato, Pumpkin, Salsify, Summer squash & zucchini, Sunchoke (Jerusalem artichoke), Sweet corn, Tomatillo, Tomato (cherry & grape), Tomato (early / short-season), Tomato (paste / determinate), Tomato (slicing), Winter squash

Herbs: Borage, Catnip, Epazote, Lovage, Shiso (perilla), Sorrel (French / garden), Summer savory

Fruit: Cucamelon / mouse melon, Ground cherry

Flowers: Statice, Strawflower

Can also plant

Artichoke, Arugula, Asparagus, Beet, Brussels sprouts, Cabbage, Carrot, Chickpea / garbanzo, Chinese broccoli (gai lan), Collard greens, Green onion / scallion, Kale, Kohlrabi, Komatsuna (mustard spinach), Leek, Parsnip, Pea (shelling / English), Radish, Rhubarb, Shallot, Swiss chard, Turnip, Watercress, Anise hyssop, Bee balm (bergamot), Caraway, Chamomile, Chives, Dill, Fenugreek (methi), Feverfew, Garlic chives, Lavender, Lemon balm, Lemon verbena, Marjoram, Mint, Oregano, Parsley, Rosemary, Sage, Tarragon (French), Thyme, Vietnamese coriander (rau ram), Winter savory, Blackberry, Blueberry, Grape (bunch), Raspberry, Strawberry, Annual salvia, Black-eyed Susan, Calendula, Cleome (spider flower), Coreopsis (tickseed), Marigold, Milkweed (native), Nasturtium, Purple coneflower (echinacea), Sunflower, Sweet alyssum

Start seeds indoors

Brussels sprouts, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Malabar spinach, Tomato (cherry & grape), Tomato (early / short-season), Tomato (heat-set varieties), Tomato (paste / determinate), Tomato (slicing), Anise hyssop, Basil, Bee balm (bergamot), Chives, Garlic chives, Marjoram, Oregano, Parsley, Winter savory, Annual salvia, Globe amaranth (gomphrena), Marigold, Milkweed (native), Pansy / viola, Pentas (Egyptian star cluster), Statice, Stock, Strawflower

June69

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Amaranth greens / callaloo, Armenian cucumber, Bean (dry / shelling), Bean (lima), Bean (pole), Bitter melon, Bottle gourd / cucuzza, Brussels sprouts, Celeriac (celery root), Celery, Cucumber (pickling), Cucumber (slicing), Edamame, Eggplant, Leek, Malabar spinach, Moringa, New Zealand spinach, Okinawa spinach, Okra, Onion (bulbing), Pepper (hot / chili), Pepper (sweet / bell), Potato, Purslane, Rutabaga, Shallot, Southern pea / cowpea, Sweet corn, Tomato (cherry & grape), Tomato (heat-set varieties), Tomato (paste / determinate), Tomato (slicing), Yardlong bean

Herbs: Anise hyssop, Basil, Bee balm (bergamot), Chives, Cuban oregano, Culantro, Feverfew, Garlic chives, Lavender, Lemon verbena, Marjoram, Oregano, Papalo, Rosemary, Sage, Stevia, Tarragon (French), Thyme, Vietnamese coriander (rau ram), Winter savory

Fruit: Cantaloupe & melons, Watermelon

Flowers: Annual salvia, Black-eyed Susan, Cleome (spider flower), Coreopsis (tickseed), Cosmos, Globe amaranth (gomphrena), Marigold, Milkweed (native), Nasturtium, Purple coneflower (echinacea), Snapdragon, Sunflower, Zinnia

Can also plant

Bean (bush snap), Beet, Broccoli, Cabbage, Carrot, Chinese broccoli (gai lan), Collard greens, Kale, Kohlrabi, Komatsuna (mustard spinach), Napa / Chinese cabbage, Parsnip, Pea (shelling / English), Pea (snap & snow), Summer squash & zucchini, Swiss chard, Tomatillo, Tomato (early / short-season), Turnip, Borage, Caraway, Chamomile, Dill, Epazote, Parsley, Shiso (perilla), Summer savory, Blueberry, Cucamelon / mouse melon, Ground cherry, Bachelor's button (cornflower), Calendula, California poppy, Pentas (Egyptian star cluster), Statice, Strawflower, Sweet alyssum

Start seeds indoors

Broccoli, Lettuce (romaine & head), Basil, Pansy / viola, Stock, Strawflower

July57

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Amaranth greens / callaloo, Armenian cucumber, Bean (bush snap), Bean (pole), Beet, Bitter melon, Bok choy / pak choi, Broccoli, Broccoli raab (rapini), Brussels sprouts, Cabbage, Carrot, Cauliflower, Chinese broccoli (gai lan), Collard greens, Cucumber (pickling), Cucumber (slicing), Daikon radish, Fennel (bulb), Kohlrabi, Komatsuna (mustard spinach), Lettuce (leaf & mesclun), Lettuce (romaine & head), Napa / Chinese cabbage, New Zealand spinach, Okra, Pea (shelling / English), Pea (snap & snow), Purslane, Shallot, Summer squash & zucchini, Swiss chard, Tomato (cherry & grape), Tomato (early / short-season)

Herbs: Basil, Borage, Caraway, Chamomile, Cilantro, Cuban oregano, Dill, Epazote, Fenugreek (methi), Parsley, Vietnamese coriander (rau ram)

Flowers: Annual salvia, Bachelor's button (cornflower), Calendula, California poppy, Coreopsis (tickseed), Marigold, Nasturtium, Pentas (Egyptian star cluster), Snapdragon, Statice, Strawflower, Sweet alyssum

Can also plant

Arugula, Garden cress, Kale, Mustard greens, Okinawa spinach, Radish, Spinach, Turnip, Chervil, Summer savory, Stock

August24

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Amaranth greens / callaloo, Arugula, Beet, Broccoli raab (rapini), Collard greens, Daikon radish, Garden cress, Kale, Kohlrabi, Komatsuna (mustard spinach), Lettuce (leaf & mesclun), Mache (corn salad), Mustard greens, Radish, Spinach, Swiss chard, Turnip

Herbs: Chervil, Cilantro, Fenugreek (methi)

Flowers: Calendula, Pansy / viola, Stock, Sweet alyssum

September3

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Elephant garlic, Garlic, Radish

October2

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Elephant garlic, Garlic

November0

Too cold to plant outdoors. A good month to plan beds and order seeds.

December0

Too cold to plant outdoors. A good month to plan beds and order seeds.

Every crop that grows in Sioux Falls

150 of 174 crops in the app fit this climate. Dates are for planting outdoors; “Start indoors” is for seeds you grow into transplants.

Vegetables

Crop	Best time to plant	Also possible	Start indoors	How
Amaranth greens / callaloo	May 27–Jun 10, Jul 19–Aug 8	Jun 11–Jul 18	—	Sow seeds
Armenian cucumber	May 13–27, Jun 17–Jul 7	May 28–Jun 16	—	Sow seeds
Artichoke	Apr 17–May 1	May 2–29	Feb 13–27	Set out plants
Arugula	Apr 1–24, Jul 28–Aug 29	Mar 20–31, Apr 25–May 12, Jul 1–27	—	Sow seeds
Asparagus	Apr 3–21	Apr 22–May 29	—	Set out plants
Bean (bush snap)	May 13–27, Jul 1–22	May 28–Jun 30	—	Sow seeds
Bean (dry / shelling)	May 13–Jun 17	—	—	Sow seeds
Bean (lima)	May 27–Jun 22	—	—	Sow seeds
Bean (pole)	May 13–27, Jun 21–Jul 12	May 28–Jun 20	—	Sow seeds
Beet	Apr 3–24, Jul 17–Aug 7	Apr 25–Jul 16	—	Sow seeds
Bitter melon	May 13–27, Jun 19–Jul 10	May 28–Jun 18	—	Sow seeds
Bok choy / pak choi	Jul 11–31	—	—	Sow seeds
Bottle gourd / cucuzza	Jun 15–30	—	—	Sow seeds
Broccoli	Apr 3–17, Jul 10–30	Apr 18–May 6, Jun 16–Jul 9	Feb 20–Mar 6, May 29–Jun 18	Set out plants
Broccoli raab (rapini)	Jul 25–Aug 17	Apr 3–26, Jul 1–24	—	Sow seeds
Brussels sprouts	Apr 3–15, Jun 21–Jul 12	May 11–Jun 20	Feb 20–Mar 4, May 10–31	Set out plants
Cabbage	Mar 27–Apr 10, Jun 27–Jul 18	Apr 11–Jun 26	Feb 13–27, May 16–Jun 6	Set out plants
Cardoon	May 1–15	May 16–24	Feb 27–Mar 13	Set out plants
Carrot	Apr 10–May 1, Jul 7–28	May 2–Jul 6	—	Sow seeds
Cauliflower	Apr 10–24, Jun 26–Jul 16	Apr 25–May 9, Jun 22–25	Feb 27–Mar 13, May 15–Jun 4	Set out plants
Celeriac (celery root)	Apr 18–May 2, May 23–Jun 13	May 3–22	Jan 31–Feb 14, Mar 7–28	Set out plants
Celery	Apr 30–May 14, May 19–Jun 9	—	Feb 12–26, Mar 3–24	Set out plants
Chickpea / garbanzo	Apr 18–May 2	May 3–Jun 6	—	Sow seeds
Chinese broccoli (gai lan)	Apr 10–May 1, Jul 15–Aug 4	May 2–Jul 14	—	Sow seeds
Collard greens	Apr 3–17, Jul 21–Aug 11	Apr 18–Jul 20	—	Sow seeds
Cucumber (pickling)	May 13–27, Jun 24–Jul 15	May 28–Jun 23	—	Sow seeds
Cucumber (slicing)	May 13–27, Jun 22–Jul 12	May 28–Jun 21	—	Sow seeds
Daikon radish	Apr 10–24, Jul 17–Aug 7	Apr 25–May 1, Jul 5–16	—	Sow seeds
Edamame	May 27–Jun 24	—	—	Sow seeds
Eggplant	May 27–Jun 27	—	Mar 25–Apr 25	Set out plants
Elephant garlic	Sep 15–Oct 20	—	—	Sow seeds
Fennel (bulb)	Jun 25–Jul 9	—	—	Sow seeds
Garden cress	Apr 17–May 9, Aug 13–Sep 2	May 10–26, Jul 17–Aug 12	—	Sow seeds
Garlic	Sep 15–Oct 20	—	—	Sow seeds
Green onion / scallion	Apr 3–17	Apr 18–May 29	—	Sow seeds
Kale	Mar 20–Apr 10, Aug 3–23	Apr 11–Aug 2	—	Sow seeds
Kohlrabi	Apr 3–17, Jul 25–Aug 14	Apr 18–Jul 24	—	Sow seeds
Komatsuna (mustard spinach)	Jul 16–Aug 22	May 1–12, Jun 21–Jul 15	—	Sow seeds
Leek	Apr 3–17, Jun 11–Jul 2	Apr 18–Jun 10	Jan 30–Feb 13, Apr 9–30	Set out plants
Lettuce (leaf & mesclun)	Apr 3–16, Jul 20–Aug 19	Apr 17–May 5, Jun 24–Jul 19	—	Sow seeds
Lettuce (romaine & head)	Jul 10–Aug 2	Apr 10–17, Jun 22–Jul 9	Jun 5–28	Set out plants
Mache (corn salad)	Aug 10–31	—	—	Sow seeds
Malabar spinach	Jun 15–Jul 5	—	Apr 27–May 17	Set out plants
Moringa	Jun 15–25	—	—	Sow seeds
Mustard greens	Mar 29–Apr 18, Aug 1–27	Mar 20–28, Apr 19–May 2, Jul 7–31	—	Sow seeds
Napa / Chinese cabbage	Jul 10–28	Jun 9–Jul 9	—	Sow seeds
New Zealand spinach	May 13–27, Jun 24–Jul 14	May 28–Jun 23	—	Sow seeds
Okinawa spinach	Jun 15–29	Jun 30–Jul 17	—	Set out plants
Okra	Jun 15–Jul 12	—	—	Sow seeds
Onion (bulbing)	Mar 31–Apr 13, May 21–Jun 23	Mar 20–30, Apr 14–May 20	Jan 13–26, Mar 5–Apr 7	Set out plants
Parsnip	Apr 10–May 1	May 2–Jun 27	—	Sow seeds
Pea (shelling / English)	Mar 22–Apr 5, Jul 15–Aug 4	Apr 6–May 10, Jun 21–Jul 14	—	Sow seeds
Pea (snap & snow)	Mar 22–Apr 5, Jul 15–Aug 4	Apr 6–May 8, Jun 19–Jul 14	—	Sow seeds
Pepper (hot / chili)	May 19–Jun 20	—	Mar 17–Apr 18	Set out plants
Pepper (sweet / bell)	May 15–29, Jun 9–30	May 30–Jun 8	Mar 13–27, Apr 7–28	Set out plants
Popcorn	May 13–20	May 21–Jun 4	—	Sow seeds
Potato	May 20–Jun 19	Apr 5–May 19	—	Sow seeds
Pumpkin	May 13–26	—	—	Sow seeds
Purslane	May 27–Jun 10, Jun 30–Jul 21	Jun 11–29	—	Sow seeds
Radicchio	Apr 3–10	—	—	Sow seeds
Radish	Apr 4–May 3, Aug 14–Sep 10	Mar 27–Apr 3, May 4–23, Jul 15–Aug 13	—	Sow seeds
Rhubarb	Apr 3–21	Apr 22–May 29	—	Set out plants
Rutabaga	Jun 14–25	—	—	Sow seeds
Salsify	Apr 10–May 1, May 3–24	—	—	Sow seeds
Shallot	Mar 20–Apr 3, Jun 16–Jul 7	Apr 4–Jun 15	—	Sow seeds
Southern pea / cowpea	Jun 15–25	—	—	Sow seeds
Spinach	Mar 20–Apr 9, Aug 14–Sep 5	Apr 10–22, Jul 15–Aug 13	—	Sow seeds
Summer squash & zucchini	May 13–27, Jun 27–Jul 17	May 28–Jun 26	—	Sow seeds
Sunchoke (Jerusalem artichoke)	May 1–22	Apr 10–30	—	Sow seeds
Sweet corn	May 13–20, Jun 9–29	May 21–Jun 8	—	Sow seeds
Swiss chard	Apr 10–May 1, Jul 22–Aug 12	May 2–Jul 21	—	Sow seeds
Tomatillo	May 13–27	May 28–Jun 27	Apr 1–15	Set out plants
Tomato (cherry & grape)	May 13–27, Jun 24–Jul 14	May 28–Jun 23	Mar 25–Apr 8, May 6–26	Set out plants
Tomato (early / short-season)	May 8–15, Jun 29–Jul 19	May 16–Jun 28	Mar 20–27, May 11–31	Set out plants
Tomato (heat-set varieties)	May 27–Jul 2	—	Apr 8–May 14	Set out plants
Tomato (paste / determinate)	May 13–27, Jun 11–Jul 2	May 28–Jun 10	Mar 25–Apr 8, Apr 23–May 14	Set out plants
Tomato (slicing)	May 13–27, Jun 9–29	May 28–Jun 8	Mar 25–Apr 8, Apr 21–May 11	Set out plants
Turnip	Apr 3–17, Jul 27–Aug 17	Apr 18–Jul 26	—	Sow seeds
Watercress	Apr 10–24	Apr 25–Jun 5	—	Sow seeds
Winter squash	May 13–Jun 5	—	—	Sow seeds
Yardlong bean	Jun 15–30	—	—	Sow seeds

Herbs

Crop	Best time to plant	Also possible	Start indoors	How
Anise hyssop	May 29–Jun 26	May 1–28	Apr 14–May 12	Set out plants
Basil	May 27–Jun 3, Jun 22–Jul 12	Jun 4–21	Apr 22–29, May 18–Jun 7	Set out plants
Bee balm (bergamot)	May 29–Jun 26	May 1–28	Apr 10–May 8	Set out plants
Borage	Apr 24–May 7, Jun 25–Jul 29	May 8–Jun 24	—	Sow seeds
Caraway	Apr 10–24, Jun 27–Jul 18	Apr 25–Jun 26	—	Sow seeds
Catnip	Apr 17–May 8	May 9–29	Feb 27–Mar 20	Set out plants
Chamomile	Apr 3–17, Jul 12–Aug 2	Apr 18–Jul 11	—	Sow seeds
Chervil	Jul 28–Aug 17	Apr 10–18, Jul 10–27	—	Sow seeds
Chives	May 29–Jun 26	May 1–28	Apr 10–May 8	Set out plants
Cilantro	Jul 17–Aug 9	Jun 24–Jul 16	—	Sow seeds
Cuban oregano	Jun 20–Jul 15	May 27–Jun 19, Jul 16–17	—	Set out plants
Culantro	Jun 15–Jul 3	—	—	Sow seeds
Dill	Apr 17–24, Jul 13–Aug 3	Apr 25–Jul 12	—	Sow seeds
Epazote	May 13–27, Jul 6–27	May 28–Jul 5	—	Sow seeds
Fenugreek (methi)	Jul 17–Aug 15	May 1–16, Jul 1–16	—	Sow seeds
Feverfew	May 27–Jun 19	Apr 24–May 26	Apr 8–May 1	Set out plants
Garlic chives	May 29–Jun 26	May 1–28	Apr 10–May 8	Set out plants
Lavender	Jun 2–26	May 8–Jun 1	Mar 17–Apr 10	Set out plants
Lemon balm	Apr 17–May 6	May 7–29	Mar 13–Apr 1	Set out plants
Lemon verbena	Jun 2–26	May 8–Jun 1	—	Set out plants
Lovage	May 16–29	Apr 17–May 15	Mar 28–Apr 10	Set out plants
Marjoram	Jun 2–26	May 8–Jun 1	Apr 14–May 8	Set out plants
Mint	Apr 17–May 6	May 7–29	—	Set out plants
Oregano	May 29–Jun 26	May 1–28	Apr 10–May 8	Set out plants
Papalo	May 27–Jun 10	Jun 11–Jul 2	—	Sow seeds
Parsley	Apr 10–24, Jun 27–Jul 18	Apr 25–Jun 26	Feb 6–20, Apr 25–May 16	Set out plants
Rosemary	Jun 1–24	May 8–31	Mar 16–Apr 8	Set out plants
Sage	May 26–Jun 19	Apr 24–May 25	Apr 7–May 1	Set out plants
Shiso (perilla)	May 13–20	May 21–Jul 9	Apr 8–15	Set out plants
Sorrel (French / garden)	Apr 10–May 8	May 9–Jun 5	—	Sow seeds
Stevia	May 27–Jun 17	—	—	Set out plants
Summer savory	May 1–15	May 16–Jul 12	—	Sow seeds
Tarragon (French)	Jun 1–26	May 1–31	—	Set out plants
Thyme	May 29–Jun 26	May 1–28	Apr 3–May 1	Set out plants
Vietnamese coriander (rau ram)	Jun 10–Jul 8	May 13–Jun 9	—	Set out plants
Winter savory	Jun 1–26	May 1–31	Apr 13–May 8	Set out plants

Fruit

Crop	Best time to plant	Also possible	Start indoors	How
Blackberry	Mar 28–Apr 17	Apr 18–May 30	—	Set out plants
Blueberry	Mar 28–Apr 10	Apr 11–Jun 13	—	Set out plants
Cantaloupe & melons	May 27–Jun 17	—	—	Sow seeds
Cucamelon / mouse melon	May 13–27	May 28–Jul 2	Apr 8–22	Set out plants
Grape (bunch)	Apr 3–May 1	May 2–15	—	Set out plants
Ground cherry	May 13–27	May 28–Jul 7	Mar 25–Apr 8	Set out plants
Raspberry	Apr 3–17	Apr 18–May 29	—	Set out plants
Strawberry	Apr 3–May 1	May 2–29	—	Set out plants
Watermelon	May 27–Jun 15	—	—	Sow seeds

Flowers

Crop	Best time to plant	Also possible	Start indoors	How
Annual salvia	Jun 13–Jul 20	May 13–Jun 12, Jul 21–27	Apr 4–May 11	Set out plants
Bachelor's button (cornflower)	Apr 3–18, Jul 14–30	Apr 19–May 4, Jun 11–Jul 13	—	Sow seeds
Black-eyed Susan	May 31–Jun 29	May 1–30	—	Sow seeds
Calendula	Apr 17–May 3, Jul 3–Aug 14	May 4–Jul 2	—	Sow seeds
California poppy	Apr 3–18, Jul 14–30	Apr 19–May 4, Jun 11–Jul 13	—	Sow seeds
Cleome (spider flower)	Jun 5–27	May 13–Jun 4	—	Sow seeds
Coreopsis (tickseed)	May 30–Jul 8	Apr 3–May 29	—	Sow seeds
Cosmos	Jun 13–Jul 3	May 27–Jun 12, Jul 4–7	—	Sow seeds
Globe amaranth (gomphrena)	Jun 13–Jul 3	May 27–Jun 12, Jul 4–7	Apr 25–May 15	Set out plants
Larkspur	Mar 20–Apr 6	—	—	Sow seeds
Marigold	Jun 12–Jul 17	May 13–Jun 11, Jul 18–22	Apr 24–May 29	Set out plants
Milkweed (native)	May 29–Jun 26	May 1–28	Apr 24–May 22	Set out plants
Nasturtium	Jun 23–Jul 27	May 1–Jun 22	—	Sow seeds
Pansy / viola	Mar 20–Apr 10, Aug 9–29	Apr 11–May 5, Jul 26–Aug 8	Jan 2–23, May 24–Jun 13	Set out plants
Pentas (Egyptian star cluster)	Jun 29–Jul 21	Jun 15–28, Jul 22–30	Apr 27–May 19	Set out plants
Purple coneflower (echinacea)	May 31–Jun 26	May 1–30	Mar 15–Apr 10	Set out plants
Snapdragon	Jun 3–Jul 8	—	Apr 1–May 6	Set out plants
Statice	May 1–15, Jun 28–Jul 19	May 16–Jun 27	Feb 27–Mar 13, Apr 26–May 17	Set out plants
Stock	Apr 17–May 1, Jul 27–Aug 17	May 2–6, Jul 10–26	Feb 13–27, May 25–Jun 15	Set out plants
Strawflower	May 1–15, Jul 6–26	May 16–Jul 5	Mar 13–27, May 18–Jun 7	Set out plants
Sunflower	Jun 2–22	May 13–Jun 1	—	Sow seeds
Sweet alyssum	Apr 10–May 3, Jul 7–Aug 16	May 4–Jul 6	—	Sow seeds
Sweet pea (flower)	Mar 22–Apr 13	—	—	Sow seeds
Zinnia	Jun 15–Jul 6	May 27–Jun 14, Jul 7–9	—	Sow seeds

Crops that struggle in Sioux Falls

These need a climate Sioux Falls doesn't have. Pots, shade cloth or a greenhouse can stretch the rules.

Banana: Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 45°F; the coldest month here averages 8°F.
Bay laurel: Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 32°F; the coldest month here averages 8°F.
Cassava (yuca): Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 40°F; the coldest month here averages 8°F.
Celosia: The frost-free season (about 158 days) is shorter than the 80 days it needs.
Chaya (tree spinach): Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 40°F; the coldest month here averages 8°F.
Endive & escarole: The frost-free season (about 158 days) is shorter than the 85 days it needs.
Fava bean: The frost-free season (about 158 days) is shorter than the 90 days it needs.
Fig: Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 22°F; the coldest month here averages 8°F.
Ginger: The frost-free season (about 158 days) is shorter than the 270 days it needs.
Jicama: The frost-free season (about 158 days) is shorter than the 180 days it needs.
Lemongrass: The frost-free season (about 158 days) is shorter than the 88 days it needs.
Luffa gourd: The frost-free season (about 158 days) is shorter than the 105 days it needs.
Muscadine grape: Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 26°F; the coldest month here averages 8°F.
Papaya: Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 48°F; the coldest month here averages 8°F.
Passion fruit: Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 44°F; the coldest month here averages 8°F.
Peanut: The frost-free season (about 158 days) is shorter than the 130 days it needs.
Pigeon pea: The frost-free season (about 158 days) is shorter than the 150 days it needs.
Pineapple: Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 45°F; the coldest month here averages 8°F.
Roselle: The frost-free season (about 158 days) is shorter than the 165 days it needs.
Seminole pumpkin / calabaza: The frost-free season (about 158 days) is shorter than the 108 days it needs.
Sweet potato: The frost-free season (about 158 days) is shorter than the 105 days it needs.
Taro (dasheen): The frost-free season (about 158 days) is shorter than the 225 days it needs.
Winged bean: The frost-free season (about 158 days) is shorter than the 105 days it needs.
Winter melon / wax gourd: The frost-free season (about 158 days) is shorter than the 105 days it needs.

Nearby planting calendars

Omaha, NE 163 mi · last frost around Apr 18
Minneapolis, MN 197 mi · last frost around Apr 23
Des Moines, IA 207 mi · last frost around Apr 18
Fargo, ND 230 mi · last frost around May 5
Kansas City, MO 327 mi · last frost around Apr 4
All South Dakota cities

How these dates are worked out

Each crop has temperature limits and timing from university extension guides: how cold a night it can take, how much heat it can stand, how long it takes to mature, and how far before or after the last frost it goes in. Those are checked day by day against the Sioux Falls station's NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals (average highs, lows, rain and frost dates). Dates are estimates for a typical year; a sheltered yard, a slope or a cold pocket can shift them by a week or two.

Weather: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals. Crop timing: university extension guides (sources listed for each crop in the app). City locations: GeoNames (CC BY 4.0).