Rapid City, SD Planting Calendar
The last spring frost in Rapid City usually comes around May 4 and the first fall frost around Oct 11, a growing season of about 160 days. Start tomatoes indoors Mar 23 – Apr 6 and plant them outside May 18 – Jun 1.
When to plant vegetables in Rapid City
| Vegetable | Start seeds indoors | Plant outside | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Mar 23 – Apr 6 | May 18 – Jun 1 | — |
| Peppers | Mar 16 – Mar 30 | May 25 – Jun 8 | — |
| Eggplant | Mar 16 – Mar 30 | May 25 – Jun 8 | — |
| Cucumbers | — | May 18 – Jun 1 | — |
| Zucchini & summer squash | — | May 18 – Jun 1 | — |
| Pumpkins & winter squash | — | May 25 – Jun 8 | — |
| Green beans | — | May 18 – Jun 1 | Jul 19 – Aug 2 |
| Sweet corn | — | May 18 – Jun 1 | — |
| Basil | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | May 18 – Jun 1 | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | Apr 6 – May 18 | Aug 16 – Aug 30 |
| Spinach | — | Mar 23 – Apr 13 | Aug 16 – Aug 30 |
| Peas | — | Mar 23 – Apr 13 | Aug 2 – Aug 16 |
| Carrots | — | Apr 6 – May 11 | Jul 19 – Aug 2 |
| Radishes | — | Mar 30 – May 18 | Aug 30 – Sep 13 |
| Broccoli | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | Jul 19 – Aug 2 |
| Kale | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | Aug 2 – Aug 16 |
| Onions | — | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | — |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 13 – May 11 | — |
| Garlic | — | — | Sep 27 – Nov 1 |
Dates count from the median frost dates (2016–2025) for Rapid City. In a cold spring, wait a week; in a warm one you can go a week early.
Month-by-month planting in Rapid City
- JanuaryPlan, order seeds and prepare beds.
- FebruaryStart indoors: Broccoli
- MarchStart indoors: Tomatoes, Peppers, Eggplant, Lettuce, Broccoli, KalePlant outside: Spinach, Peas, Radishes, Kale
- AprilStart indoors: Tomatoes, BasilPlant outside: Lettuce, Spinach, Peas, Carrots, Radishes, Broccoli, Kale, Onions, Potatoes
- MayPlant outside: Tomatoes, Peppers, Eggplant, Cucumbers, Zucchini & summer squash, Pumpkins & winter squash, Green beans, Sweet corn, Basil, Lettuce, Carrots, Radishes, Potatoes
- JunePlant outside: Tomatoes, Peppers, Eggplant, Cucumbers, Zucchini & summer squash, Pumpkins & winter squash, Green beans, Sweet corn, Basil
- JulyPlant outside: Green beans, Carrots, Broccoli
- AugustPlant outside: Green beans, Lettuce, Spinach, Peas, Carrots, Radishes, Broccoli, Kale
- SeptemberPlant outside: Radishes, Garlic
- OctoberPlant outside: Garlic
- NovemberPlant outside: Garlic
- DecemberPlan, order seeds and prepare beds.
Tools for this season
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Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Rapid City?
The median last spring frost is May 4 and the median first fall frost is Oct 11, based on 2016–2025 weather data.
When should I plant tomatoes in Rapid City?
Start seeds indoors Mar 23 – Apr 6 and set plants outside May 18 – Jun 1, once nights stay above 50°F.
When should I plant a fall garden in Rapid City?
Sow or transplant cool-season crops 6 to 12 weeks before the first fall frost (around Oct 11): broccoli and carrots first, lettuce, spinach and radishes last.