Montana Planting Calendar

Frost dates, growing zones, and planting dates for Montana gardeners.

Zone 3a Zone 3b Zone 4a Zone 4b Zone 5a Zone 5b

The Short Answer

Montana spans USDA zones 3a through 5b, which means planting dates vary significantly across the state. Western Montana has an average last frost around May 10 - May 30, while Eastern Montana sees its last frost around May 10 - Jun 1. Use our homepage tool with your zip code for dates specific to your exact location.

Montana Frost Dates by Region

Short, intense growing season. Low humidity. Wide day-night temperature swings. Wind protection valuable.

Region	Zones	Last Frost (Spring)	First Frost (Fall)
Western Montana	4b, 5a, 5b	May 10 - May 30	Sep 10 - Sep 30
Central Montana	3b, 4a, 4b	May 15 - Jun 5	Sep 5 - Sep 20
Eastern Montana	3a, 3b, 4a	May 10 - Jun 1	Sep 10 - Sep 25

Soil & Growing Conditions

Alkaline soils common. Thin, dry soils in east. Better soils in valleys. Wind erosion challenges.

What to Plant in Montana

Montana's short growing season rewards strategic planning. Cold-hardy crops are your strength, and warm-season crops need indoor starting. These are the best performers for Montana's climate:

Top Picks for Montana

Kale Garlic Potatoes Peas Carrots Lettuce Broccoli Beets Radishes Spinach Beans (Green/Snap)Cabbage Daffodils

Worth the Effort

With indoor starting and season extension, Montana gardeners also grow excellent tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, and sunflowers. The long summer daylight hours drive faster growth than you'd expect:

Tomatoes Peppers Cucumbers Squash (Summer)Basil Sunflowers Zinnias Corn (Sweet)

Browse all 100 plants — or enter your zip code for personalized planting dates.

Neighboring States

Gardeners near state borders may find useful information in neighboring state guides:

Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming

Note: Frost dates are based on NOAA 30-year Climate Normals and represent historical averages. Actual frost dates can vary significantly year to year. Zone data is from the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map.

Last reviewed: March 29, 2026