When to plant Watermelon and cantaloupe in South Dakota

In spring, from May 15 – June 15 in Brandon to June 1 – 15 in Watertown.

For a fall crop, from May 15 – June 1 in Aberdeen to June 1 – 15 in Yankton.

Cantaloupe (muskmelon) dates are the same as watermelon except where the table notes them.

USDA's earliest safe spring and latest safe fall planting dates, matched to each place's average frost dates.

Watermelon planting dates by place in South Dakota
PlaceSpringFall
AberdeenJune 1 – 15May 15 – June 1
Box ElderJune 1 – 15May 15 – June 1
BrandonMay 15 – June 15June 1 – 15
BrookingsJune 1 – 15May 15 – June 1
HarrisburgMay 15 – June 15May 15 – June 1
HuronJune 1 – 15May 15 – June 1
MitchellMay 15 – June 15June 1 – 15
PierreJune 1 – 15May 15 – June 1
Rapid CityMay 15 – June 15June 1 – 15
Sioux FallsMay 15 – June 15June 1 – 15
SpearfishJune 1 – 15May 15 – June 1
VermillionMay 15 – June 15May 15 – June 1
WatertownJune 1 – 15May 15 – June 1
YanktonMay 15 – June 15June 1 – 15

Planting dates: USDA Home and Garden Bulletin No. 9 (1967), tables 4 and 5. Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020. The full USDA table for watermelon.

Updated