Blog

Clay County, SD — Planting Guide

Clay County is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is April 30 and the first fall frost is October 7, giving you a growing season of approximately 160 days.

At an elevation of 663 ft, Clay County receives approximately 30.8 in of rainfall annually. Summer highs average 83°F with winter lows around 10°F. The predominant soil type is Loam.

🌡️ Zone

5a (-20°F to -15°F min)

❄️ Last Frost

April 30

🍂 First Frost

October 7

📅 Growing Season

160 days

⛰️ Elevation

663 ft

🌧️ Annual Rainfall

30.8 in

Clay County, SD Moderate season
160 days
Last Spring Frost April 30
160 growing days
First Fall Frost October 7

Clay County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Drainage

Well Drained

Zone 5a Frost Countdown
--
Loading...
Last Frost: Apr 30 First Frost: Oct 7

Soil & Growing Conditions in Clay County

Soil Type

Loam

Ideal for most crops — holds moisture and nutrients while draining well.

Watering Needs

Moderate rainfall (30.8 in.) — plan to water 1–2 times per week during the growing season.

Season Tips

160-day frost-free season

Start warm-season crops indoors and focus on short-season varieties. Cold frames extend your season by 3–4 weeks in fall.

Your Free Printable Garden Planner

Plan every bed, every planting, every harvest — in one place. This 22-page printable includes your zone's planting calendar, a month-by-month task list, a seed inventory tracker, a harvest log, and succession-planting charts. Built to print, write in, and actually use all season.

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

Recommended for Your Garden

🧪
Soil Test Kit $12-25

Test your soil pH, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium levels before planting.

📏
Digital pH Meter $10-20

Get instant, accurate soil pH readings to fine-tune your amendments.

🍂
Organic Compost $8-30

Boost soil fertility and structure with rich, well-aged organic compost.

🥬 Vegetables to Grow in Clay County

105 vegetables that grow well in Zone 5a with planting dates for Clay County.

Show all 105 vegetables with planting dates
Plant Start Indoors Direct Sow Transplant Fall Plant Harvest Days to Maturity
Acorn Squash Mar 26 May 7 May 14 Aug 6 – Sep 10 80–100
Amaranth Mar 5 May 7 May 14 Aug 13 – Oct 1 90–120
Arugula Mar 26 Apr 16 Apr 30 Jul 29 Jun 4 – Aug 6 30–50
Asparagus May 14 730–1095
Beets Apr 16 Jul 29 Jun 11 – Jul 9 50–70
Belgian Endive Mar 26 Apr 16 Apr 30 Jul 29 Aug 20 – Oct 15 110–150
Bitter Melon Mar 5 May 7 May 14 Jul 16 – Aug 27 60–90
Black Beans May 7 Aug 6 – Sep 24 90–120
Bok Choy Mar 26 Apr 16 Apr 30 Jul 29 Jun 11 – Jul 16 40–60
Broccoli Mar 26 Apr 16 Apr 30 Jul 29 Jul 2 – Aug 13 60–90
Broccoli Rabe Mar 26 Apr 16 Apr 30 Jul 29 Jun 11 – Jul 16 40–60
Brussels Sprouts Mar 26 Apr 16 Apr 30 Jul 29 Jul 30 – Sep 24 90–130
Butternut Squash Mar 26 May 7 May 14 Aug 13 – Sep 17 85–110
Cabbage Mar 26 Apr 16 Apr 30 Jul 29 Jul 2 – Aug 27 60–100
Calabash Mar 5 May 7 May 14 Aug 6 – Oct 1 80–120
Carrots Apr 16 Jul 29 Jun 18 – Jul 23 60–80
Cauliflower Mar 26 Apr 16 Apr 30 Jul 29 Jun 25 – Aug 27 55–100
Celeriac Mar 26 Apr 16 Apr 30 Jul 29 Aug 13 – Sep 17 100–120
Celery Mar 26 Apr 16 Apr 30 Jul 29 Jul 23 – Sep 17 80–120
Celtuce Mar 26 Apr 16 Apr 30 Jul 29 Jul 2 – Aug 13 60–90
Chard Mar 26 Apr 16 Apr 30 Jul 29 Jun 25 – Aug 13 50–60
Chickpeas Mar 26 Apr 16 Apr 30 Jul 29 Jul 23 – Sep 3 80–110
Chicory Mar 26 Apr 16 Apr 30 Jul 29 Jul 2 – Aug 13 60–85
Chinese Cabbage Mar 26 Apr 16 Apr 30 Jul 29 Jun 25 – Jul 23 50–70
Christmas Lima Beans Mar 5 May 7 May 14 Aug 6 – Sep 10 80–100
Collard Greens Mar 26 Apr 16 Apr 30 Jul 29 Jun 25 – Aug 27 55–75
Corn May 7 Jul 9 – Sep 3 60–100
Cowpeas May 7 Jul 9 – Aug 20 60–90
Cress Mar 26 Apr 16 Apr 30 Jul 29 May 14 – Jun 4 14–21
Crookneck Squash Mar 26 May 7 May 14 Jul 2 – Jul 30 45–60
Crosne Apr 16 Jul 29 Sep 17 – Oct 1 150–200
Cucumber Mar 26 May 7 May 14 Jul 9 – Sep 3 50–70
Daikon Apr 16 Jul 29 Jun 11 – Jul 9 50–70
Delicata Squash Mar 26 May 7 May 14 Aug 6 – Sep 10 80–100
Edamame May 7 Jul 23 – Sep 3 75–100
Eggplant Feb 19 May 7 May 14 Jul 23 – Sep 24 65–85
Endive Mar 26 Apr 16 Apr 30 Jul 29 Jun 18 – Jul 23 45–65
Escarole Mar 26 Apr 16 Apr 30 Jul 29 Jun 25 – Jul 23 50–70
Fava Beans Mar 26 Apr 16 Apr 30 Jul 29 Jul 16 – Aug 27 75–100
Fennel Mar 5 May 7 May 14 Jul 16 – Aug 27 60–90
Garlic Aug 26 Nov 25 – Feb 10 90–240
Green Beans May 7 Jul 2 – Aug 27 50–65
Horseradish May 14 Sep 17 – Oct 29 120–180
Hot Peppers Feb 19 May 7 May 14 Jul 23 – Oct 29 70–120
Hubbard Squash Mar 26 May 7 May 14 Aug 27 – Oct 1 100–120
Kabocha Mar 26 May 7 May 14 Aug 13 – Sep 10 85–100
Kai Lan Mar 26 Apr 16 Apr 30 Jul 29 Jun 18 – Jul 16 45–60
Kale Mar 26 Apr 16 Apr 30 Jul 29 Jun 25 – Aug 20 50–70
Kidney Beans May 7 Aug 6 – Sep 10 85–110
Kohlrabi Mar 26 Apr 16 Apr 30 Jul 29 Jun 18 – Jul 23 45–65
Komatsuna Mar 26 Apr 16 Apr 30 Jul 29 Jun 4 – Jul 9 35–50
Leeks Mar 26 Apr 16 Apr 30 Jul 29 Jul 30 – Oct 15 90–150
Lentils Mar 26 Apr 16 Apr 30 Jul 29 Jul 23 – Sep 3 80–110
Lettuce Mar 26 Apr 16 Apr 30 Jul 29 Jun 4 – Aug 13 30–60
Lima Beans May 7 Jul 9 – Aug 20 60–90
Mache Mar 26 Apr 16 Apr 30 Jul 29 Jun 11 – Jul 16 40–60
Melon Mar 26 May 7 May 14 Jul 23 – Sep 10 70–100
Microgreens Mar 26 Apr 16 Apr 30 Jul 29 May 7 – Jun 4 7–21
Mitsuba Mar 26 Apr 16 Apr 23 Jul 29 Jun 18 – Aug 13 50–70
Mizuna Mar 26 Apr 16 Apr 30 Jul 29 Jun 4 – Jul 2 30–45
Mustard Greens Mar 26 Apr 16 Apr 30 Jul 29 Jun 4 – Aug 6 30–50
Napa Cabbage Mar 26 Apr 16 Apr 30 Jul 29 Jun 25 – Jul 30 55–75
New Zealand Spinach Mar 5 May 7 May 14 Jul 9 – Aug 6 55–70
Okra Mar 5 May 7 May 14 Jul 9 – Sep 3 50–65
Onion Mar 26 Apr 16 Apr 30 Jul 29 Jul 30 – Sep 17 90–120
Pac Choi Mar 26 Apr 16 Apr 30 Jul 29 Jun 11 – Jul 9 40–55
Parsnip Apr 16 Jul 29 Jul 30 – Sep 10 100–130
Patty Pan Squash Mar 26 May 7 May 14 Jul 2 – Jul 30 45–60
Peas Mar 26 Apr 16 Apr 30 Jul 29 Jun 25 – Aug 20 55–70
Peppers Feb 19 May 7 May 14 Jul 16 – Sep 24 60–90
Pole Beans Mar 5 May 7 May 14 Jul 9 – Sep 3 55–70
Potatoes Mar 5 May 7 May 14 Jul 23 – Oct 1 70–120
Pumpkin Mar 26 May 7 May 14 Aug 13 – Oct 1 85–120
Purslane Mar 26 Apr 16 Apr 30 Jul 29 Jun 11 – Jul 16 40–60
Radicchio Mar 26 Apr 16 Apr 30 Jul 29 Jul 2 – Aug 6 60–80
Radish Apr 16 Jul 29 May 14 – Jun 4 22–35
Rhubarb May 21 365–730
Romanesco Mar 26 Apr 16 Apr 30 Jul 29 Jul 16 – Aug 27 75–100
Rutabaga Apr 16 Jul 29 Jul 9 – Aug 13 80–100
Salsify Apr 16 Jul 29 Jul 30 – Sep 10 100–130
Savoy Cabbage Mar 26 Apr 16 Apr 30 Jul 29 Jul 9 – Sep 3 70–110
Scallions Mar 26 Apr 16 Apr 30 Jul 29 Jun 25 – Jul 23 50–70
Scarlet Runner Beans Mar 5 May 7 May 14 Jul 16 – Aug 20 60–80
Shallot Mar 26 Apr 16 Apr 30 Jul 29 Jul 30 – Sep 17 90–120
Shiso Mar 12 May 7 May 14 Jul 9 – Sep 3 50–70
Snap Peas Mar 5 May 7 May 14 Jul 9 – Sep 3 55–70
Snow Peas Mar 26 Apr 16 Apr 30 Jul 29 Jun 25 – Aug 20 50–65
Soybeans May 7 Jul 30 – Sep 24 80–120
Spaghetti Squash Mar 26 May 7 May 14 Aug 13 – Sep 10 85–100
Spinach Mar 26 Apr 16 Apr 30 Jul 29 Jun 4 – Aug 6 35–50
Squash (Summer) Mar 26 May 7 May 14 Jul 2 – Sep 3 45–65
Squash (Winter) Mar 26 May 7 May 14 Aug 6 – Oct 1 80–120
Sunchoke May 14 Sep 3 – Oct 29 110–150
Sweet Corn May 7 Jul 9 – Aug 20 60–90
Sweet Potatoes Mar 5 May 7 May 14 Aug 13 – Oct 1 90–120
Tatsoi Mar 26 Apr 16 Apr 30 Jul 29 Jun 4 – Jul 9 35–50
Tomatillo Mar 5 May 7 May 14 Jul 16 – Sep 24 60–85
Tomatoes Mar 5 May 7 May 14 Jul 16 – Sep 24 60–85
Turnip Apr 16 Jul 29 May 28 – Jul 2 40–60
Watercress Mar 26 Apr 16 Apr 30 Jul 29 Jun 11 – Jul 16 40–60
Watermelon Mar 26 May 7 May 14 Jul 23 – Sep 10 70–100
Wax Beans May 7 Jul 2 – Aug 27 50–65
Winter Melon Mar 5 May 7 May 14 Aug 13 – Oct 1 90–120
Yard Long Beans Mar 5 May 7 May 14 Jul 9 – Aug 20 55–80
Zucchini Mar 26 May 7 May 14 Jul 2 – Aug 27 45–60

🍓 Fruits to Grow in Clay County

27 fruits that grow well in Zone 5a with planting dates for Clay County.

Show all 27 fruits with planting dates
Plant Start Indoors Direct Sow Transplant Fall Plant Harvest Days to Maturity
Alpine Strawberries May 21 Aug 20 – Nov 5 90–180
Aronia May 21 730–1095
Blackberries May 21 365–730
Blueberries May 21 730–1095
Boysenberries May 21 365–730
Cantaloupe May 21 Jul 30 – Sep 3 70–90
Che Fruit May 21 1095–1825
Cranberries May 21 730–1095
Currants May 21 730–1095
Elderberries May 21 730–1095
Goji Berries May 21 730–1095
Gooseberries May 21 730–1095
Grapes May 21 730–1095
Ground Cherry May 21 Jul 30 – Sep 24 65–80
Hardy Kiwi May 21 1095–1825
Haskaps May 21 730–1095
Honeydew May 21 Aug 13 – Sep 24 80–110
Jostaberry May 21 730–1095
Lingonberries May 21 730–1095
Medlar May 21 1095–1825
Mulberries May 21 730–1825
Pawpaw May 21 1095–2555
Persimmon May 21 1095–2555
Quince May 21 1095–1825
Raspberries May 21 365–730
Serviceberries May 21 730–1095
Strawberries May 21 Aug 20 – Nov 5 90–365

🌿 Herbs to Grow in Clay County

34 herbs that grow well in Zone 5a with planting dates for Clay County.

Show all 34 herbs with planting dates
Plant Start Indoors Direct Sow Transplant Fall Plant Harvest Days to Maturity
Angelica Mar 26 Apr 16 Apr 23 Jul 29 365–730
Anise Mar 26 Apr 16 Apr 23 Jul 29 Jul 23 – Oct 8 90–120
Basil Mar 12 May 7 May 14 Jul 9 – Sep 10 50–75
Bee Balm May 7 Aug 6 – Oct 22 90–120
Borage Mar 26 Apr 16 Apr 23 Jul 29 Jun 18 – Aug 6 50–60
Caraway Mar 26 Apr 16 Apr 23 Jul 29 365–450
Catnip May 7 Jul 9 – Sep 10 60–80
Chamomile Mar 26 Apr 16 Apr 23 Jul 29 Jun 25 – Sep 3 60–90
Chervil Mar 26 Apr 16 Apr 23 Jul 29 Jun 4 – Aug 6 40–60
Chives May 7 Jul 9 – Sep 17 60–90
Cilantro Mar 26 Apr 16 Apr 23 Jul 29 Jun 4 – Aug 6 40–60
Comfrey May 7 Jul 9 – Sep 17 60–90
Cumin Mar 26 Apr 16 Apr 23 Jul 29 Aug 6 – Oct 8 100–120
Dill Mar 26 Apr 16 Apr 23 Jul 29 Jun 4 – Aug 6 40–60
Epazote Mar 12 May 7 May 14 Jul 2 – Aug 27 45–60
Fennel (herb) Mar 26 Apr 16 Apr 23 Jul 29 Jun 25 – Sep 3 60–90
Feverfew May 7 Aug 6 – Oct 22 90–120
Garlic Chives May 7 Jul 9 – Sep 17 60–90
Horehound May 7 Jul 23 – Sep 17 75–90
Hyssop May 7 Jul 16 – Sep 17 70–90
Lemon Balm May 7 Jul 9 – Aug 27 60–70
Lemon Thyme May 7 Jul 16 – Sep 17 70–90
Lovage May 7 Jul 16 – Sep 17 70–90
Mint May 7 Jul 9 – Sep 17 60–90
Oregano May 7 Jul 9 – Sep 17 60–90
Parsley Mar 26 Apr 16 Apr 23 Jul 29 Jun 25 – Aug 27 60–80
Rue May 7 Jul 16 – Sep 17 70–90
Sage May 7 Jul 23 – Sep 17 75–90
Savory May 7 Jul 2 – Aug 27 50–70
Sorrel Mar 26 Apr 16 Apr 23 Jul 29 Jun 4 – Aug 6 40–60
Tarragon May 7 Jul 9 – Sep 17 60–90
Thai Basil Mar 12 May 7 May 14 Jul 9 – Sep 10 50–75
Thyme May 7 Jul 16 – Sep 17 70–90
Valerian May 7 Sep 10 – Oct 22 120–180

🌸 Flowers to Grow in Clay County

51 flowers that grow well in Zone 5a with planting dates for Clay County.

Show all 51 flowers with planting dates
Plant Start Indoors Direct Sow Transplant Fall Plant Bloom Days to Maturity
Ageratum Mar 12 May 7 May 7 Jul 2 – Sep 24 60–75
Alliums Aug 26 Sep 30 – Oct 28 28–42
Anemones Apr 2 Apr 30 Jun 11 – Jul 9 90–120
Astilbe Feb 26 May 14 Jul 30 – Oct 1 70–100
Bachelor's Button Mar 19 Apr 9 Apr 30 Jul 2 – Sep 10 60–90
Begonias Feb 19 May 7 Jul 16 – Oct 8 70–90
Black-eyed Susan Feb 26 Apr 30 May 14 Jul 30 – Oct 29 60–80
Bleeding Hearts Feb 26 May 14 Jul 9 – Aug 20 60–90
Calendula Mar 19 Apr 9 Apr 30 Jun 18 – Sep 10 50–70
Celosia Mar 26 May 14 May 14 Jul 16 – Oct 15 60–90
Columbine Feb 26 May 14 May 14 Jul 9 – Aug 20 70–100
Coreopsis Feb 26 May 7 May 14 Jul 23 – Oct 29 60–80
Cosmos Apr 2 May 7 May 7 Jul 16 – Oct 8 60–90
Crocus Aug 26 Jul 8 – Jul 29 10–20
Daffodils Aug 26 Jul 15 – Aug 5 20–40
Dahlias Apr 2 May 7 May 7 Jul 30 – Oct 22 70–120
Daylily Feb 26 May 14 Aug 6 – Oct 29 60–90
Dianthus Feb 26 Apr 2 Apr 16 Jun 4 – Aug 20 60–80
Echinacea (Purple Coneflower) Feb 26 May 14 May 14 Aug 6 – Oct 29 70–90
Foxglove Feb 26 May 14 May 14 Jul 9 – Aug 20 80–120
Gaillardia (Blanket Flower) Mar 5 May 14 May 14 Jul 23 – Nov 12 70–100
Geraniums Feb 19 May 7 Jul 16 – Oct 8 70–100
Gladiolus May 7 May 7 Jul 30 – Oct 22 70–100
Hostas Feb 19 May 14 Aug 6 – Oct 29 60–90
Hyacinths Aug 26 Aug 5 – Sep 2 14–28
Hydrangeas Feb 19 May 14 Jul 30 – Oct 15 90–150
Impatiens Mar 5 May 7 Jul 16 – Oct 8 60–75
Irises Division May 14 Jul 9 – Aug 13 60–100
Larkspur Apr 2 Jun 11 – Aug 6 60–90
Lavender Feb 19 May 21 Jul 30 – Sep 10 90–120
Lilies Division May 14 Jul 23 – Oct 15 70–120
Lobelia Feb 19 Apr 23 Jun 18 – Aug 27 70–80
Lupine Feb 26 May 14 May 14 Jul 9 – Aug 20 75–100
Marigolds Mar 19 May 7 May 7 Jul 2 – Sep 24 50–70
Nasturtium Apr 2 May 7 May 7 Jul 2 – Oct 8 55–65
Pansy Feb 19 Apr 30 Jun 25 – Aug 20 70–90
Peonies Division May 14 Jul 23 – Sep 3 90–120
Petunia Mar 5 May 7 Jul 16 – Oct 8 70–90
Phlox Feb 26 May 14 May 14 Jul 30 – Oct 15 80–110
Portulaca Mar 26 May 14 May 14 Jul 2 – Oct 1 50–70
Roses Feb 19 May 14 Jul 30 – Oct 29 90–180
Salvia Feb 26 May 7 Jul 16 – Oct 8 70–90
Sedum (Stonecrop) Feb 26 May 14 Sep 10 – Nov 12 60–90
Snapdragon Feb 19 Apr 16 Apr 30 Jul 9 – Sep 10 70–100
Sunflower Apr 9 May 7 May 7 Jul 30 – Oct 8 70–100
Sweet Alyssum Mar 12 Apr 16 Apr 30 Jun 11 – Aug 20 45–60
Sweet Pea Mar 19 Mar 26 Apr 30 Jul 16 – Sep 17 65–85
Tulips Aug 26 Jul 29 – Aug 19 15–30
Vinca (Annual) Feb 12 May 14 Jul 23 – Oct 8 70–90
Yarrow Feb 26 Apr 30 May 14 Jul 23 – Oct 29 60–90
Zinnia Apr 2 May 7 May 7 Jul 16 – Oct 8 60–70

Monthly Planting Guide for Clay County

Gardening Guides & Resources

Helpful guides from The Ultimate Homestead to improve your garden in Clay County.

Frequently Asked Questions

What planting zone is Clay County, SD?

Clay County is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. This zone classification determines which perennial plants survive winter and sets the baseline for frost timing across the county.

When is the last frost in Clay County, SD?

Based on 30 years of NOAA weather station data, the median last spring frost in Clay County falls around April 30. Plan transplants and direct-sow dates relative to this date.

When is the first fall frost in Clay County, SD?

The median first fall frost in Clay County arrives around October 7. Harvest or protect frost-sensitive crops — tomatoes, peppers, basil, squash — before this date.

🌱

Your Clay County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Clay County (Zone 5a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

Best Seller
The Gardener's Encyclopedia to Companion Planting

The Gardener's Encyclopedia to Companion Planting

$27 $293 value

The pairings that make vegetables, herbs, and flowers grow better — and the ones that quietly wreck a bed.

  • Proven pairings for 200+ vegetables, herbs, flowers, and fruits
  • Full seed-starting + planting schedule with timing and spacing
  • Bonus: square-foot gardening guide + printable seasonal planners
See what's inside →
Reader favourite
Seed Saving & Storage Guide

Seed Saving & Storage Guide

$27 $157 value

Most saved seeds go bad before next season. This shows exactly when to pick, how to dry, and where to store seeds from 200 plants so yours don't.

  • 200 plants, step-by-step: life cycle, pollination type, isolation
  • Exact temperature + humidity ranges that keep seeds viable
  • Bonus: searchable Google Sheets tracker + custom GPT assistant
Save a lifetime of seed money →
Composting Guide for Homesteaders

Composting Guide for Homesteaders

$27 $210 value

Turn kitchen scraps and yard waste into compost that actually feeds the garden — instead of a pile that smells, attracts pests, and never breaks down.

  • 14 sections on composting methods, soil science, and troubleshooting
  • The 7-step hot-compost system from start to finish
  • Bonus tools: troubleshooting chart, safety guide, monitoring log
Start composting today →

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates represent 50% probability averages; local conditions vary by elevation and microclimate. Last updated: June 2026.

Sources & credits

Every number on this page traces back to a primary horticulture or government data source. Click through to verify.