My Planting Calendar

What to plant in February in South Dakota

In South Dakota (SD), February sits about 12 weeks before the average last frost (May 10). The state averages 138 frost-free days a year (last frost May 10, first frost September 25; USDA zones 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a).

5 crops have a sowing or planting window this month.

Dates here come from South Dakota frost dates (last frost May 10, first frost Sep 25). For one crop in detail, see when to plant onion, tomato or lettuce in South Dakota.

A planning monthSow or plant: 5Start indoors: 5Harvesting: 0

South Dakota: planting activity through the year

0
5
40
64
84
53
37
19
1
2
0
0
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Frost riskFrost-free: May 10 – Sep 25
Bars count the vegetables, herbs and fruit with a sowing or planting window in each month, from the state’s average frost dates. 5 have one in February; the busiest month is May (84).

Start seeds indoors in February (5)

Indoor sowings for transplants later. Six to eight weeks under lights is typical for tomatoes and peppers; onions and leeks need longer.

CropWhat to doWindowThis month
CeleriacStart seeds indoorsFeb 15 – Mar 1Opens Feb 15
CeleryStart seeds indoorsFeb 22 – Mar 8Opens Feb 22
LeekStart seeds indoorsFeb 22 – Mar 8Opens Feb 22
OnionStart seeds indoorsFeb 22 – Mar 8Opens Feb 22
RosemaryStart seeds indoorsFeb 22 – Mar 8Opens Feb 22

Planting dates for popular crops in South Dakota

Every crop has its own full-year dates for South Dakota: indoor start, transplant or direct sowing, and harvest.

When to plant onion in South Dakota →When to plant tomato in South Dakota →When to plant lettuce in South Dakota →When to plant garlic in South Dakota →When to plant bell pepper in South Dakota →When to plant carrot in South Dakota →When to plant pea in South Dakota →When to plant spinach in South Dakota →South Dakota frost dates by zone →

A planning month: February garden jobs in South Dakota

  1. Order seed while stock is good. South Dakota's average last frost is May 10, so the first indoor sowings begin around February 15 - see starting seeds indoors.
  2. Sketch this year's beds and move each crop family to a new spot - the garden planner and the crop rotation guide make it quick.
  3. Test old seed: roll ten seeds in a damp paper towel for a week. If fewer than seven sprout, sow thicker or buy fresh.
  4. If the ground isn't frozen, spread compost now so it's worked in by spring, and send off a soil test - February is when labs are quiet.

USDA zone chart for South Dakota

South Dakota spans USDA zones 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a. Colder zones, usually higher or further inland, have a later last spring frost and an earlier first fall frost than the state average.

ZoneLast frostFirst frostSeason
Zone 3May 15Sep 15120 days
Zone 4May 10Sep 25135 days
Zone 5Apr 30Oct 5160 days

Questions gardeners ask

What vegetables can I plant in South Dakota in February?

5 crops have a window in February: celeriac, celery, leek, onion, rosemary. The tables above give the exact dates for each.

Is it too late to plant tomatoes in South Dakota in February?

Not too late - it's actually a little early. In South Dakota the next tomato window opens around March 15: start seeds indoors.

Is it too late to plant lettuce in South Dakota in February?

Not too late - it's actually a little early. In South Dakota the next lettuce window opens around April 5: start seeds indoors.

When is the first frost in South Dakota?

The statewide average first fall frost is around September 25 and the last spring frost around May 10. Your town can be a week or two either side - look yours up by ZIP code.

What should I start indoors in February in South Dakota?

Celeriac (Feb 15 – Mar 1), Celery (Feb 22 – Mar 8), Leek (Feb 22 – Mar 8), Onion (Feb 22 – Mar 8), Rosemary (Feb 22 – Mar 8).

March in South Dakota →Full-year South Dakota planting calendar →South Dakota frost dates →

What to plant in February in other states

KansasNebraskaNorth DakotaOklahomaAlabamaAlaskaArizonaArkansasAll states →

Dates are computed from South Dakota’s statewide average frost dates (from NOAA/NCEI climate normals) and each crop’s timing in our crop database. Your garden may be a week or two either side - for dates tuned to your ZIP code, use the planting calendar.