South Dakota · zones 4a–5a
When to plant onions in South Dakota.
Sow or transplant between Mar 1 to Apr 14 in a typical year, keyed to South Dakota's median last frost around May 9. Dates below are state medians; your ZIP code shifts them by days to weeks.
The 2026 windows
Onions dates for a typical South Dakota season.
1 · Start indoors
Jan 18 to Mar 3
About 6 weeks before set-out. Warm spot, real light.
2 · Set out
Mar 1 to Apr 14
Keyed to the ~May 9 last frost. Sow 0.5" deep, 4" apart.
Harvest
~95 days later
~0.5 lb per plant over ~1 weeks.
South Dakota spans more than one climate: Zone 4 is the most common zone, but the state runs 4a to 5a. That's why the planner works from your ZIP code's frost dates, not your zone — mountain and coastal gardens in the same state can be three weeks apart.