FrostCal

When to Plant Zucchini in South Dakota

In a typical South Dakota location, start seeds indoors Apr 15 – Apr 22, then sow outdoors May 13 – May 27, 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 Direct sow
Days to maturity 45–55 days

Fast-growing squash; direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost, or start indoors 2-3 weeks early for a head start.

Zucchini Planting Dates by City

CityStart indoorsDirect sowTransplant
Sioux FallsApr 10 – Apr 17May 8 – May 22May 8 – May 15
Rapid CityApr 12 – Apr 19May 10 – May 24May 10 – May 17
AberdeenApr 17 – Apr 24May 15 – May 29May 15 – May 22
BrookingsApr 15 – Apr 22May 13 – May 27May 13 – May 20
WatertownApr 16 – Apr 23May 14 – May 28May 14 – May 21
MitchellApr 11 – Apr 18May 9 – May 23May 9 – May 16
YanktonApr 6 – Apr 13May 4 – May 18May 4 – May 11
PierreApr 15 – Apr 22May 13 – May 27May 13 – May 20
HuronApr 15 – Apr 22May 13 – May 27May 13 – May 20
SpearfishApr 21 – Apr 28May 19 – Jun 2May 19 – May 26
VermillionApr 12 – Apr 19May 10 – May 24May 10 – May 17
BrandonApr 10 – Apr 17May 8 – May 22May 8 – May 15
Box ElderApr 21 – Apr 28May 19 – Jun 2May 19 – May 26
Rapid ValleyApr 12 – Apr 19May 10 – May 24May 10 – May 17
Ellsworth Air Force BaseApr 21 – Apr 28May 19 – Jun 2May 19 – May 26
MadisonApr 14 – Apr 21May 12 – May 26May 12 – May 19
SturgisApr 17 – Apr 24May 15 – May 29May 15 – May 22
Belle FourcheApr 19 – Apr 26May 17 – May 31May 17 – May 24
HarrisburgApr 11 – Apr 18May 9 – May 23May 9 – May 16
TeaApr 5 – Apr 12May 3 – May 17May 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 zucchini in South Dakota?

In a typical South Dakota location, start seeds indoors Apr 15 – Apr 22, then sow outdoors May 13 – May 27, 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 zucchini take to grow?

Zucchini typically take 45–55 days from planting to harvest. Fast-growing squash; direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost, or start indoors 2-3 weeks early for a head start.

Other Crops in South Dakota

When to plant zucchini in other states

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