When to Plant Garlic in South Dakota
In South Dakota, the time to plant garlic in fall runs from Sep 29 – Oct 27 in Aberdeen to Oct 13 – Nov 10 in Sioux Falls. In Sioux Falls, it's Oct 13 – Nov 10. The average first fall frost differs by about 2 weeks across the state (Sep 29 in Aberdeen, Oct 13 in Sioux Falls), so use the dates for the town nearest you.
Garlic is planted in fall, around the first frost, and harvested the next summer. Cloves need a cold winter to form good bulbs.
- Plant: from the first fall frost up to 4 weeks after it.
Garlic planting dates in South Dakota by city
| City | Zone | Fall planting |
|---|---|---|
| Aberdeen | 4a | Sep 29 – Oct 27 |
| Belle Fourche | 5b | Sep 30 – Oct 28 |
| Box Elder | 5b | Oct 1 – Oct 29 |
| Brandon | 5a | Oct 6 – Nov 3 |
| Brookings | 4b | Oct 1 – Oct 29 |
| Harrisburg | 5a | Oct 2 – Oct 30 |
| Huron | 4b | Oct 2 – Oct 30 |
| Madison | 4b | Sep 30 – Oct 28 |
| Mitchell | 5a | Oct 6 – Nov 3 |
| Pierre | 4b | Oct 3 – Oct 31 |
| Rapid City | 5b | Oct 8 – Nov 5 |
| Sioux Falls | 5a | Oct 13 – Nov 10 |
| Spearfish | 5b | Oct 2 – Oct 30 |
| Sturgis | 5a | Oct 3 – Oct 31 |
| Tea | 5a | Oct 13 – Nov 10 |
| Vermillion | 5a | Oct 3 – Oct 31 |
| Watertown | 4b | Sep 30 – Oct 28 |
| Yankton | 5a | Oct 11 – Nov 8 |
Calculated from each town's average (50%) frost dates, from the nearest NOAA station (1991–2020). Typical dates for the 2027 planting season, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 averages. They are long-term odds, not a forecast: always check your local forecast before planting. Zones: 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (USDA-ARS and Oregon State University). Not the official map; see planthardiness.ars.usda.gov.
See all frost dates in South Dakota, or the general guide to when to plant garlic.
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