FrostCal

When to Plant Cucumbers in South Dakota

In a typical South Dakota location, start seeds indoors Apr 8 – Apr 15, then sow outdoors May 13 – May 20, then transplant outdoors May 13 – May 20. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as May 3 in Tea and as late as May 19 in Ellsworth Air Force Base.

Method Start indoors, then transplant
Days to maturity 50–65 days

Can be started indoors 3-4 weeks before transplanting, or direct-sown 1-2 weeks after last frost once soil is warm.

Cucumbers Planting Dates by City

CityStart indoorsDirect sowTransplant
Sioux FallsApr 3 – Apr 10May 8 – May 15May 8 – May 15
Rapid CityApr 5 – Apr 12May 10 – May 17May 10 – May 17
AberdeenApr 10 – Apr 17May 15 – May 22May 15 – May 22
BrookingsApr 8 – Apr 15May 13 – May 20May 13 – May 20
WatertownApr 9 – Apr 16May 14 – May 21May 14 – May 21
MitchellApr 4 – Apr 11May 9 – May 16May 9 – May 16
YanktonMar 30 – Apr 6May 4 – May 11May 4 – May 11
PierreApr 8 – Apr 15May 13 – May 20May 13 – May 20
HuronApr 8 – Apr 15May 13 – May 20May 13 – May 20
SpearfishApr 14 – Apr 21May 19 – May 26May 19 – May 26
VermillionApr 5 – Apr 12May 10 – May 17May 10 – May 17
BrandonApr 3 – Apr 10May 8 – May 15May 8 – May 15
Box ElderApr 14 – Apr 21May 19 – May 26May 19 – May 26
Rapid ValleyApr 5 – Apr 12May 10 – May 17May 10 – May 17
Ellsworth Air Force BaseApr 14 – Apr 21May 19 – May 26May 19 – May 26
MadisonApr 7 – Apr 14May 12 – May 19May 12 – May 19
SturgisApr 10 – Apr 17May 15 – May 22May 15 – May 22
Belle FourcheApr 12 – Apr 19May 17 – May 24May 17 – May 24
HarrisburgApr 4 – Apr 11May 9 – May 16May 9 – May 16
TeaMar 29 – Apr 5May 3 – May 10May 3 – May 10

Showing the 20 most populous of 20 South Dakota cities. Dates are estimates from each city's NOAA frost normals and university extension timing guidelines. See all South Dakota cities.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant cucumbers in South Dakota?

In a typical South Dakota location, start seeds indoors Apr 8 – Apr 15, then sow outdoors May 13 – May 20, then transplant outdoors May 13 – May 20. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as May 3 in Tea and as late as May 19 in Ellsworth Air Force Base.

When is the last frost in South Dakota?

The average last spring frost in South Dakota ranges from April 26 in Tea to May 12 in Ellsworth Air Force Base, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals.

How long do cucumbers take to grow?

Cucumbers typically take 50–65 days from planting to harvest. Can be started indoors 3-4 weeks before transplanting, or direct-sown 1-2 weeks after last frost once soil is warm.

Other Crops in South Dakota

When to plant cucumbers in other states

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