When to Plant Peppers in South Dakota
In South Dakota, the time to transplant peppers outside runs from May 10 – May 24 in Sioux Falls to May 26 – Jun 9 in Box Elder. In Sioux Falls, it's May 10 – May 24. The average last spring frost differs by about 2 weeks across the state (Apr 26 in Sioux Falls, May 12 in Box Elder), so use the dates for the town nearest you.
Peppers need even more warmth than tomatoes. Start them early indoors and set them out once the soil has warmed, two to four weeks after the last frost.
- Start indoors: 8–10 weeks before the last frost.
- Transplant outside: 2–4 weeks after the last frost.
Peppers planting dates in South Dakota by city
| City | Zone | Start indoors | Transplant outside |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aberdeen | 4a | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | May 22 – Jun 5 |
| Belle Fourche | 5b | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | May 24 – Jun 7 |
| Box Elder | 5b | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | May 26 – Jun 9 |
| Brandon | 5a | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | May 15 – May 29 |
| Brookings | 4b | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | May 20 – Jun 3 |
| Harrisburg | 5a | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | May 16 – May 30 |
| Huron | 4b | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | May 20 – Jun 3 |
| Madison | 4b | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | May 19 – Jun 2 |
| Mitchell | 5a | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | May 16 – May 30 |
| Pierre | 4b | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | May 20 – Jun 3 |
| Rapid City | 5b | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | May 17 – May 31 |
| Sioux Falls | 5a | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | May 10 – May 24 |
| Spearfish | 5b | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | May 26 – Jun 9 |
| Sturgis | 5a | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | May 22 – Jun 5 |
| Tea | 5a | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | May 10 – May 24 |
| Vermillion | 5a | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | May 17 – May 31 |
| Watertown | 4b | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | May 21 – Jun 4 |
| Yankton | 5a | Feb 16 – Mar 2 | May 11 – May 25 |
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 peppers.
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