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When to Plant Mint in Jackson County, SD

Mint

Mint is a vigorous perennial herb with refreshing, aromatic leaves used in teas, cocktails, and cooking. It spreads aggressively by underground runners.

Jackson County, South Dakota is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 14 and the first fall frost is September 28, giving you a growing season of approximately 137 days.

At an elevation of 1,001 feet, Jackson County receives approximately 20.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 80°F, so choose short-season varieties of Mint to ensure they mature before fall.

Jackson County, SD (Zone 5a) Short season
137 days
Last Spring Frost May 14
137 growing days
First Fall Frost September 28

Jackson County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Drainage

Well Drained

Mint Planting Timeline — Jackson County, SD

Mint Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors May 21 May 21 – Jun 4
Harvest July 23 Jul 23 – Oct 1

Plant 0.5" deep · 8" apart · Rows 12" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March
April
May Transplant Outdoors
June Transplant Outdoors
July Harvest
August Harvest
September Harvest
October Harvest
November
December

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

💧 Water

High — keep soil consistently moist

📅 Days to Maturity

60–90 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: N/A

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 5a

📆 Growing Season

137 days in Jackson County

Growing Tips for Jackson County

Always grow mint in containers or with underground barriers to control spreading. Harvest regularly to keep plants compact. Cut plants back in late summer for a fresh fall flush.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Parsley

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Mint in Jackson County, SD?

Jackson County is in Zone 5a with an average last frost of May 14. Plan your Mint planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Jackson County, SD?

Jackson County, South Dakota is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 14 and first fall frost is September 28.

🌱

Your Jackson County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Jackson 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.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Jackson County, SD. Local conditions may vary. 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.