Ezina · A Field Manual for Plant Care · United States Vol. I · Ed. 2027 · Proof copy

§ When to plant · Montana · Checked Sept 2026

When to plant vegetables in Montana

In Billings, tender crops like tomatoes and peppers can go out around May 17, and frost has historically passed 9 years in 10 by May 29. Cool-season crops go in from January, and again from July for fall.

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§ 010 · Frost dates

Frost dates across Montana

Based on NOAA's 1991–2020 station records, with adjustments for tender crops.

City · NOAA stationLast frost, on averagePlant tender crops fromFrost is over, 9 of 10 years byFall frost possible from
BelgradeBOZEMAN GALLATIN FIELD · 1 kmMay 26Jun 14June 14Jul 2Sep 2
BillingsBILLINGS LOGAN INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT · 2 kmMay 4May 17May 17May 29Sep 26
BozemanBOZEMAN MONTANA STATE UNIV · 2 kmMay 26Jun 12June 12Jun 28Sep 5
Columbia FallsHUNGRY HORSE DAM · 13 kmMay 9May 30May 30Jun 19Sep 13
DillonLAURIN 2NE · 45 kmMay 24Jun 13June 13Jul 2Sep 6
GlendiveGLENDIVE · 1 kmMay 3May 15May 15May 27Sep 22
Great FallsGREAT FALLS 16ST · 2 kmMay 6May 19May 19Jun 1Sep 17
HamiltonHAMILTON · 1 kmMay 21Jun 9June 9Jun 28Sep 6
HardinHARDIN · 1 kmMay 13May 27May 27Jun 9Sep 14
HavreHAVRE CITY COUNTY AIRPORT · 6 kmMay 15May 29May 29Jun 11Sep 11
HelenaHELENA REGIONAL AIRPORT · 4 kmMay 9May 27May 27Jun 13Sep 17
KalispellCRESTON · 15 kmMay 12May 30May 30Jun 16Sep 9
LaurelBILLINGS WFO · 18 kmMay 5May 19May 19Jun 2Sep 20
LewistownLEWISTOWN MUNICIPAL AIRPORT · 0 kmMay 23Jun 13June 13Jul 3Sep 8
LivingstonLIVINGSTON MISSION FIELD · 10 kmMay 27Jun 16June 16Jul 6Aug 27
Miles CityMILES CITY F WILEY FIELD · 4 kmMay 8May 20May 20May 31Sep 17
MissoulaMISSOULA 2 NORTHEAST · 5 kmMay 10Jun 2June 2Jun 24Sep 16
PolsonPOLSON · 4 kmMay 10May 29May 29Jun 16Sep 22
SidneySIDNEY · 2 kmMay 11May 23May 23Jun 3Sep 13
WhitefishWHITEFISH · 5 kmMay 16Jun 7June 7Jun 29Sep 8

Montana's 20 largest cities (U.S. Census Bureau 2025 estimates), A to Z, each with its nearest NOAA station and the distance to it. Search any town to get its nearest station. "Plant tender crops from" is halfway between the average last frost and the date frost is over 9 years in 10; if frost is in the forecast after it, wait until it passes and nights stay above 36°F.

§ 020 · What to plant

What to plant in Montana, and when

Planting windows from Montana's Cooperative Extension Service. Filter by season or crop group; every view has its own link.

Region
Season
Crops

Link to this view getezina.com/when-to-plant/montana/

  • Dark green: fall planting window
  • Light green: spring and summer planting window
  • TenderKilled by frost: spring planting from the "plant tender crops from" date for your city

§ 030 · Crop by crop

Planting in Montana

Each crop has its own link, like #tomatoes. Tender crops wait for the frost dates above; succession crops are sown again every few weeks for a steady harvest.

  • Dark green: fall planting window
  • Light green: spring and summer planting window

Beets

Beta vulgaris

Cool seasonSuccession sow
Beets
Photo by W.carter / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Wikimedia Commons

Billings: sow Apr–Aug.
Bozeman (Belgrade): sow May–Jul.
Great Falls: sow Apr–Jul.
Helena: sow Apr–Jul.
Missoula: sow Apr–Jul.
Miles City: sow Apr–Aug.

Ready in about 58 days; sow again every 6 weeks.

Source: Montana State University Extension, Can I Grow That Here? Vegetable Seed and Transplant Schedules for Garden or Container (MontGuide MT199308AG), converted to dates with MSU Extension 'Frost Freeze Data for Montana'. Days to harvest: Ezina crop catalog, from state extension guides.

Broccoli

Brassica oleracea

Cool season
Broccoli
Photo by Kolforn / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Wikimedia Commons

Billings: start seed indoors Jan–Feb; set out transplants Mar–Jun.
Bozeman (Belgrade): start seed indoors Feb–Mar; set out transplants Apr–Jun.
Great Falls: start seed indoors Feb; set out transplants Apr–Jun.
Helena: start seed indoors Feb; set out transplants Apr–Jun.
Missoula: start seed indoors Feb–Mar; set out transplants Apr–Jun.
Miles City: start seed indoors Jan–Feb; set out transplants Mar–Jun.

Ready in about 95 days from seed, 65 from transplants.

Source: Montana State University Extension, Can I Grow That Here? Vegetable Seed and Transplant Schedules for Garden or Container (MontGuide MT199308AG), converted to dates with MSU Extension 'Frost Freeze Data for Montana'. Days to harvest: Ezina crop catalog, from state extension guides.

Brussels sprouts

Brassica oleracea

Cool season
Brussels sprouts
Photo by Nick Saltmarsh / CC BY 2.0 / Wikimedia Commons

Billings: start seed indoors Jan–Feb; set out transplants Mar–May.
Bozeman (Belgrade): start seed indoors Feb–Mar; set out transplants Apr–Jun.
Great Falls: start seed indoors Feb; set out transplants Apr–Jun.
Helena: start seed indoors Feb; set out transplants Apr–Jun.
Missoula: start seed indoors Feb–Mar; set out transplants Apr–Jun.
Miles City: start seed indoors Jan–Feb; set out transplants Mar–May.

Ready in about 130 days from seed, 100 from transplants.

Source: Montana State University Extension, Can I Grow That Here? Vegetable Seed and Transplant Schedules for Garden or Container (MontGuide MT199308AG), converted to dates with MSU Extension 'Frost Freeze Data for Montana'. Days to harvest: Ezina crop catalog, from state extension guides.

Cabbage

Brassica oleracea

Cool season
Cabbage
Photo by Biswarup Ganguly / CC BY-SA 3.0 / Wikimedia Commons

Billings: start seed indoors Jan–Feb; set out transplants Mar–Jul.
Bozeman (Belgrade): start seed indoors Feb–Mar; set out transplants Apr–Jun.
Great Falls: start seed indoors Feb; set out transplants Apr–Jun.
Helena: start seed indoors Feb; set out transplants Apr–Jun.
Missoula: start seed indoors Feb–Mar; set out transplants Apr–Jun.
Miles City: start seed indoors Jan–Feb; set out transplants Mar–Jun.

Ready in about 110 days from seed, 80 from transplants.

Source: Montana State University Extension, Can I Grow That Here? Vegetable Seed and Transplant Schedules for Garden or Container (MontGuide MT199308AG), converted to dates with MSU Extension 'Frost Freeze Data for Montana'. Days to harvest: Ezina crop catalog, from state extension guides.

Cantaloupe

Cucumis melo

Tender
Cantaloupe
Photo by Seth Vidal / CC BY-SA 2.0 / Wikimedia Commons

Billings: start seed indoors Mar–Apr; plant Apr–Jun.
Great Falls: start seed indoors Apr; plant May–Jun.
Helena: start seed indoors Apr; plant May.
Missoula: start seed indoors Apr; plant May.
Miles City: plant Apr–Jun; start seed indoors Apr.

Ready in about 80 days from seed, 70 from transplants. Tender: in spring, from about May 17 in Billings. If frost is in the forecast, hold off until it passes and nights stay above 36°F.

Source: Montana State University Extension, Can I Grow That Here? Vegetable Seed and Transplant Schedules for Garden or Container (MontGuide MT199308AG), converted to dates with MSU Extension 'Frost Freeze Data for Montana'. Days to harvest: Ezina crop catalog, from state extension guides.

Carrots

Daucus carota

Cool seasonSuccession sow
Carrots
Photo by Evan-Amos / Public domain / Wikimedia Commons

Billings: sow Apr–Jul.
Bozeman (Belgrade): sow May–Jun.
Great Falls: sow Apr–Jun.
Helena: sow Apr–Jun.
Missoula: sow Apr–Jun.
Miles City: sow Apr–Jun.

Ready in about 70 days; sow again every 7 weeks.

Source: Montana State University Extension, Can I Grow That Here? Vegetable Seed and Transplant Schedules for Garden or Container (MontGuide MT199308AG), converted to dates with MSU Extension 'Frost Freeze Data for Montana'. Days to harvest: Ezina crop catalog, from state extension guides.

Cauliflower

Brassica oleracea

Cool season
Cauliflower
Photo by Coyau / CC BY-SA 3.0 / Wikimedia Commons

Billings: start seed indoors Mar; set out transplants Apr–Jun.
Bozeman (Belgrade): start seed indoors Apr; set out transplants May–Jun.
Great Falls: start seed indoors Mar; set out transplants Apr–Jun.
Helena: start seed indoors Mar; set out transplants Apr–Jun.
Missoula: start seed indoors Mar–Apr; set out transplants May–Jun.
Miles City: start seed indoors Mar; set out transplants Apr–Jun.

Ready in about 95 days from seed, 68 from transplants.

Source: Montana State University Extension, Can I Grow That Here? Vegetable Seed and Transplant Schedules for Garden or Container (MontGuide MT199308AG), converted to dates with MSU Extension 'Frost Freeze Data for Montana'. Days to harvest: Ezina crop catalog, from state extension guides.

Celery

Apium graveolens

Cool season
Celery
Photo by Lombroso / Public domain / Wikimedia Commons

Billings: start seed indoors Feb; set out transplants Apr–May.
Great Falls: start seed indoors Feb; set out transplants Apr–May.
Helena: start seed indoors Feb; set out transplants Apr–May.
Missoula: start seed indoors Feb; set out transplants May.
Miles City: start seed indoors Feb; set out transplants Apr–May.

Ready in about 90 days from transplants.

Source: Montana State University Extension, Can I Grow That Here? Vegetable Seed and Transplant Schedules for Garden or Container (MontGuide MT199308AG), converted to dates with MSU Extension 'Frost Freeze Data for Montana'. Days to harvest: Ezina crop catalog, from state extension guides.

Chinese cabbage

Brassica rapa

Cool season
Chinese cabbage
Photo by Drab Makyo / CC BY 2.0 / Wikimedia Commons

Billings: set out transplants Jul.
Bozeman (Belgrade): set out transplants Jun.
Great Falls: set out transplants Jul.
Helena: set out transplants Jul.
Missoula: set out transplants Jul.
Miles City: set out transplants Jul.

Ready in about 75 days from seed, 60 from transplants.

Source: Montana State University Extension, Can I Grow That Here? Vegetable Seed and Transplant Schedules for Garden or Container (MontGuide MT199308AG), converted to dates with MSU Extension 'Frost Freeze Data for Montana'. Days to harvest: Ezina crop catalog, from state extension guides.

Collards

Brassica oleracea

Cool season
Collards
Photo by شارق کشمیری / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Wikimedia Commons

Billings: sow Apr–May, and again Jul–Aug.
Bozeman (Belgrade): sow May–Jun, and again Jul.
Great Falls: sow Apr–May, and again Jul.
Helena: sow Apr–Jun, and again Jul.
Missoula: sow Apr–Jun, and again Jul.
Miles City: sow Apr–May, and again Jul–Aug.

Ready in about 65 days from seed, 55 from transplants.

Source: Montana State University Extension, Can I Grow That Here? Vegetable Seed and Transplant Schedules for Garden or Container (MontGuide MT199308AG), converted to dates with MSU Extension 'Frost Freeze Data for Montana'. Days to harvest: Ezina crop catalog, from state extension guides.

Cucumbers

Cucumis sativus

TenderSuccession sow
Cucumbers
Photo by Stephen Ausmus, USDA ARS / Public domain / Wikimedia Commons

Billings: start seed indoors Mar; plant Apr–Jul.
Bozeman (Belgrade): start seed indoors Apr; plant May–Jun.
Great Falls: start seed indoors Apr; plant May–Jun.
Helena: start seed indoors Apr; plant May–Jun.
Missoula: start seed indoors Apr; plant May–Jun.
Miles City: plant Apr–Jul; start seed indoors Apr.

Ready in about 58 days from seed, 50 from transplants; sow again every 7 weeks. Tender: in spring, from about May 17 in Billings. If frost is in the forecast, hold off until it passes and nights stay above 36°F.

Source: Montana State University Extension, Can I Grow That Here? Vegetable Seed and Transplant Schedules for Garden or Container (MontGuide MT199308AG), converted to dates with MSU Extension 'Frost Freeze Data for Montana'. Days to harvest: Ezina crop catalog, from state extension guides.

Eggplant

Solanum melongena

Tender
Eggplant
Photo by Billjones94 / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Wikimedia Commons

Billings: start seed indoors Feb–Mar; set out transplants Apr–Jun.
Bozeman (Belgrade): start seed indoors Mar–Apr; set out transplants May–Jun.
Great Falls: start seed indoors Mar; set out transplants May–Jun.
Helena: start seed indoors Mar; set out transplants May–Jun.
Missoula: start seed indoors Mar–Apr; set out transplants May–Jun.
Miles City: start seed indoors Feb–Mar; set out transplants Apr–Jun.

Ready in about 75 days from transplants. Tender: in spring, from about May 17 in Billings. If frost is in the forecast, hold off until it passes and nights stay above 36°F.

Source: Montana State University Extension, Can I Grow That Here? Vegetable Seed and Transplant Schedules for Garden or Container (MontGuide MT199308AG), converted to dates with MSU Extension 'Frost Freeze Data for Montana'. Days to harvest: Ezina crop catalog, from state extension guides.

Green beans

Phaseolus vulgaris

TenderSuccession sow
Green beans
Photo by Juan Carlos Fonseca Mata / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Wikimedia Commons

Billings: sow Apr–Jul.
Bozeman (Belgrade): sow May–Jun.
Great Falls: sow May–Jun.
Helena: sow May–Jun.
Missoula: sow May–Jun.
Miles City: sow Apr–Jul.

Ready in about 55 days; sow again every 5 weeks. Tender: in spring, from about May 17 in Billings. If frost is in the forecast, hold off until it passes and nights stay above 36°F.

Source: Montana State University Extension, Can I Grow That Here? Vegetable Seed and Transplant Schedules for Garden or Container (MontGuide MT199308AG), converted to dates with MSU Extension 'Frost Freeze Data for Montana'. Days to harvest: Ezina crop catalog, from state extension guides.

Kale

Brassica oleracea

Cool season
Kale
Photo by Rasbak / CC BY-SA 3.0 / Wikimedia Commons

Billings: sow Mar–May, and again Aug.
Bozeman (Belgrade): sow Apr–Jun, and again Jul–Aug.
Great Falls: sow Apr–May, and again Jul–Aug.
Helena: sow Apr–Jun, and again Jul–Aug.
Missoula: sow Apr–Jun, and again Jul–Aug.
Miles City: sow Apr–May, and again Aug.

Ready in about 60 days from seed, 45 from transplants.

Source: Montana State University Extension, Can I Grow That Here? Vegetable Seed and Transplant Schedules for Garden or Container (MontGuide MT199308AG), converted to dates with MSU Extension 'Frost Freeze Data for Montana'. Days to harvest: Ezina crop catalog, from state extension guides.

Kohlrabi

Brassica oleracea

Cool season
Kohlrabi
Photo by Unknown author / CC0 / Wikimedia Commons

Billings: start seed indoors Feb; plant Mar–May, and again Jul.
Bozeman (Belgrade): start seed indoors Mar; plant Apr–Jun, and again Jul.
Great Falls: start seed indoors Feb–Mar; plant Apr–May, and again Jul.
Helena: start seed indoors Feb–Mar; plant Apr–Jun, and again Jul.
Missoula: start seed indoors Feb–Mar; plant Apr–Jun, and again Jul.
Miles City: start seed indoors Feb; plant Apr–May, and again Jul.

Ready in about 55 days from seed, 45 from transplants.

Source: Montana State University Extension, Can I Grow That Here? Vegetable Seed and Transplant Schedules for Garden or Container (MontGuide MT199308AG), converted to dates with MSU Extension 'Frost Freeze Data for Montana'. Days to harvest: Ezina crop catalog, from state extension guides.

Lettuce

Lactuca sativa

Cool seasonSuccession sow
Lettuce
Photo by Geo Lightspeed7 / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Wikimedia Commons

Billings: start seed indoors Feb–Mar; plant Apr–Aug.
Bozeman (Belgrade): start seed indoors Mar–Apr; plant May–Aug.
Great Falls: start seed indoors Mar; plant Apr–Aug.
Helena: start seed indoors Mar; plant Apr–Aug.
Missoula: start seed indoors Mar; plant Apr–Aug.
Miles City: start seed indoors Feb–Mar; plant Apr–Aug.

Ready in about 65 days from seed, 50 from transplants; sow again every 6 weeks.

Source: Montana State University Extension, Can I Grow That Here? Vegetable Seed and Transplant Schedules for Garden or Container (MontGuide MT199308AG), converted to dates with MSU Extension 'Frost Freeze Data for Montana'. Days to harvest: Ezina crop catalog, from state extension guides.

Lima beans

Phaseolus lunatus

Tender
Lima beans
Photo by Jud McCranie / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Wikimedia Commons

Billings: sow Apr–Jul.
Bozeman (Belgrade): sow May–Jun.
Great Falls: sow May–Jun.
Helena: sow May–Jun.
Missoula: sow May–Jun.
Miles City: sow Apr–Jul.

Ready in about 75 days. Tender: in spring, from about May 17 in Billings. If frost is in the forecast, hold off until it passes and nights stay above 36°F.

Source: Montana State University Extension, Can I Grow That Here? Vegetable Seed and Transplant Schedules for Garden or Container (MontGuide MT199308AG), converted to dates with MSU Extension 'Frost Freeze Data for Montana'. Days to harvest: Ezina crop catalog, from state extension guides.

Okra

Abelmoschus esculentus

Tender
Okra
Photo by Pedro Acevedo-Rodriguez / CC0 / Smithsonian Open Access / via USDA PLANTS

Billings: start seed indoors Mar; set out transplants Apr–Jun.
Great Falls: start seed indoors Mar; set out transplants May–Jun.
Helena: start seed indoors Mar; set out transplants May.
Missoula: start seed indoors Mar–Apr; set out transplants May.
Miles City: start seed indoors Mar; set out transplants Apr–Jun.

Ready in about 55 days from seed, 45 from transplants. Tender: in spring, from about May 17 in Billings. If frost is in the forecast, hold off until it passes and nights stay above 36°F.

Source: Montana State University Extension, Can I Grow That Here? Vegetable Seed and Transplant Schedules for Garden or Container (MontGuide MT199308AG), converted to dates with MSU Extension 'Frost Freeze Data for Montana'. Days to harvest: Ezina crop catalog, from state extension guides.

Onions

Allium cepa

Cool season
Onions
Photo by Stephen Ausmus, USDA ARS / Public domain / Wikimedia Commons

Billings: start seed indoors Feb–Mar; plant Apr–May.
Bozeman (Belgrade): start seed indoors Mar–Apr; plant May–Jun.
Great Falls: start seed indoors Mar; plant Apr–May.
Helena: start seed indoors Mar; plant Apr–Jun.
Missoula: start seed indoors Mar–Apr; plant May–Jun.
Miles City: start seed indoors Feb–Mar; plant Apr–May.

Ready in about 110 days from seed, 95 from transplants.

Source: Montana State University Extension, Can I Grow That Here? Vegetable Seed and Transplant Schedules for Garden or Container (MontGuide MT199308AG), converted to dates with MSU Extension 'Frost Freeze Data for Montana'. Days to harvest: Ezina crop catalog, from state extension guides.

Parsnips

Pastinaca sativa

Cool season
Parsnips
Photo by Jeffery Martin / CC0 / Wikimedia Commons

Billings: sow Apr–Jun.
Bozeman (Belgrade): sow May–Jul.
Great Falls: sow Apr–Jun.
Helena: sow Apr–Jun.
Missoula: sow Apr–Jun.
Miles City: sow Apr–Jun.

Ready in about 120 days.

Source: Montana State University Extension, Can I Grow That Here? Vegetable Seed and Transplant Schedules for Garden or Container (MontGuide MT199308AG), converted to dates with MSU Extension 'Frost Freeze Data for Montana'. Days to harvest: Ezina crop catalog, from state extension guides.

Peas

Pisum sativum

Cool seasonSuccession sow
Peas
Photo by David Adam Kess / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Wikimedia Commons

Billings: sow Mar–May, and again Jul.
Bozeman (Belgrade): sow Apr–Jun, and again Jun.
Great Falls: sow Apr–Jun, and again Jun.
Helena: sow Apr–Jun, and again Jun.
Missoula: sow Apr–Jun, and again Jun.
Miles City: sow Mar–May, and again Jul.

Ready in about 65 days; sow again every 5 weeks.

Source: Montana State University Extension, Can I Grow That Here? Vegetable Seed and Transplant Schedules for Garden or Container (MontGuide MT199308AG), converted to dates with MSU Extension 'Frost Freeze Data for Montana'. Days to harvest: Ezina crop catalog, from state extension guides.

Peppers

Capsicum annuum

Tender
Peppers
Photo by Kham Tran - www.khamtran.com / CC BY-SA 3.0 / Wikimedia Commons

Billings: start seed indoors Mar; set out transplants Apr–Jun.
Great Falls: start seed indoors Mar; set out transplants May.
Helena: start seed indoors Mar; set out transplants May.
Missoula: start seed indoors Mar–Apr; set out transplants May.
Miles City: start seed indoors Mar; set out transplants Apr–Jun.

Ready in about 70 days from transplants. Tender: in spring, from about May 17 in Billings. If frost is in the forecast, hold off until it passes and nights stay above 36°F.

Source: Montana State University Extension, Can I Grow That Here? Vegetable Seed and Transplant Schedules for Garden or Container (MontGuide MT199308AG), converted to dates with MSU Extension 'Frost Freeze Data for Montana'. Days to harvest: Ezina crop catalog, from state extension guides.

Potatoes

Solanum tuberosum

Cool season
Potatoes
Photo by Howard, R.A / Public domain / Smithsonian Institution, Richard A. Howard Photograph Collection / via USDA PLANTS

Billings: plant Apr–Jun.
Great Falls: plant May.
Helena: plant May.
Missoula: plant May.
Miles City: plant Apr–Jun.

Ready in about 100 days.

Source: Montana State University Extension, Can I Grow That Here? Vegetable Seed and Transplant Schedules for Garden or Container (MontGuide MT199308AG), converted to dates with MSU Extension 'Frost Freeze Data for Montana'. Days to harvest: Ezina crop catalog, from state extension guides.

Pumpkins

Cucurbita pepo

Tender
Pumpkins
Photo by HalfGig / CC BY-SA 3.0 / Wikimedia Commons

Billings: start seed indoors Apr; plant May–Jun.
Great Falls: start seed indoors Apr; plant May–Jun.
Helena: start seed indoors Apr; plant May–Jun.
Missoula: start seed indoors Apr; plant May–Jun.
Miles City: start seed indoors Apr; plant May–Jun.

Ready in about 110 days from seed, 95 from transplants. Tender: in spring, from about May 17 in Billings. If frost is in the forecast, hold off until it passes and nights stay above 36°F.

Source: Montana State University Extension, Can I Grow That Here? Vegetable Seed and Transplant Schedules for Garden or Container (MontGuide MT199308AG), converted to dates with MSU Extension 'Frost Freeze Data for Montana'. Days to harvest: Ezina crop catalog, from state extension guides.

Radishes

Raphanus sativus

Cool seasonSuccession sow
Radishes
Photo by Rasbak / CC BY-SA 3.0 / Wikimedia Commons

Billings: sow Mar, and again Aug.
Bozeman (Belgrade): sow Apr, and again Jul.
Great Falls: sow Apr, and again Aug.
Helena: sow Apr, and again Jul.
Missoula: sow Apr, and again Jul.
Miles City: sow Mar, and again Aug.

Ready in about 28 days; sow again every 3 weeks.

Source: Montana State University Extension, Can I Grow That Here? Vegetable Seed and Transplant Schedules for Garden or Container (MontGuide MT199308AG), converted to dates with MSU Extension 'Frost Freeze Data for Montana'. Days to harvest: Ezina crop catalog, from state extension guides.

Rutabagas

Brassica napus

Cool season
Rutabagas
Photo by Seedambassadors / CC BY-SA 3.0 / Wikimedia Commons

Billings: sow Mar–Jun.
Bozeman (Belgrade): sow Apr–May.
Great Falls: sow Apr–Jun.
Helena: sow Apr–May.
Missoula: sow Apr–May.
Miles City: sow Mar–Jun.

Ready in about 95 days.

Source: Montana State University Extension, Can I Grow That Here? Vegetable Seed and Transplant Schedules for Garden or Container (MontGuide MT199308AG), converted to dates with MSU Extension 'Frost Freeze Data for Montana'. Days to harvest: Ezina crop catalog, from state extension guides.

Spinach

Spinacia oleracea

Cool seasonSuccession sow
Spinach
Photo by Victor M. Vicente Selvas / Public domain / Wikimedia Commons

Billings: sow Aug.
Bozeman (Belgrade): sow Jul–Aug.
Great Falls: sow Jul–Aug.
Helena: sow Jul–Aug.
Missoula: sow Jul–Aug.
Miles City: sow Aug.

Ready in about 42 days; sow again every 5 weeks.

Source: Montana State University Extension, Can I Grow That Here? Vegetable Seed and Transplant Schedules for Garden or Container (MontGuide MT199308AG), converted to dates with MSU Extension 'Frost Freeze Data for Montana'. Days to harvest: Ezina crop catalog, from state extension guides.

Summer squash

Cucurbita pepo

TenderSuccession sow
Summer squash
Photo by INRA DIST from France / CC BY 2.0 / Wikimedia Commons

Billings: start seed indoors Apr; plant May–Jul.
Bozeman (Belgrade): start seed indoors May; plant Jun–Jul.
Great Falls: start seed indoors Apr; plant May–Jul.
Helena: start seed indoors Apr; plant May–Jul.
Missoula: start seed indoors Apr; plant May–Jul.
Miles City: start seed indoors Apr; plant May–Jul.

Ready in about 50 days from seed, 40 from transplants; sow again every 7 weeks. Tender: in spring, from about May 17 in Billings. If frost is in the forecast, hold off until it passes and nights stay above 36°F.

Source: Montana State University Extension, Can I Grow That Here? Vegetable Seed and Transplant Schedules for Garden or Container (MontGuide MT199308AG), converted to dates with MSU Extension 'Frost Freeze Data for Montana'. Days to harvest: Ezina crop catalog, from state extension guides.

Sweet corn

Zea mays

TenderSuccession sow
Sweet corn
Photo by Royalbroil / CC BY-SA 2.5 / Wikimedia Commons

Billings: start seed indoors Apr; plant May.
Bozeman (Belgrade): start seed indoors May; plant Jun.
Great Falls: start seed indoors Apr; plant May–Jun.
Helena: start seed indoors Apr; plant May–Jun.
Missoula: start seed indoors Apr; plant May–Jun.
Miles City: start seed indoors Apr; plant May.

Ready in about 78 days; sow again every 6 weeks. Tender: in spring, from about May 17 in Billings. If frost is in the forecast, hold off until it passes and nights stay above 36°F.

Source: Montana State University Extension, Can I Grow That Here? Vegetable Seed and Transplant Schedules for Garden or Container (MontGuide MT199308AG), converted to dates with MSU Extension 'Frost Freeze Data for Montana'. Days to harvest: Ezina crop catalog, from state extension guides.

Swiss chard

Beta vulgaris

Cool season
Swiss chard
Photo by Neelix / Public domain / Wikimedia Commons

Billings: sow Apr–Aug.
Bozeman (Belgrade): sow May–Aug.
Great Falls: sow Apr–Aug.
Helena: sow Apr–Aug.
Missoula: sow Apr–Aug.
Miles City: sow Apr–Aug.

Ready in about 55 days from seed, 40 from transplants.

Source: Montana State University Extension, Can I Grow That Here? Vegetable Seed and Transplant Schedules for Garden or Container (MontGuide MT199308AG), converted to dates with MSU Extension 'Frost Freeze Data for Montana'. Days to harvest: Ezina crop catalog, from state extension guides.

Tomatoes

Solanum lycopersicum

Tender
Tomatoes
Photo by Michal Klajban / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Wikimedia Commons

Billings: start seed indoors Feb–Mar; set out transplants Apr–Jun.
Great Falls: start seed indoors Mar; set out transplants May.
Helena: start seed indoors Mar; set out transplants May.
Missoula: start seed indoors Mar–Apr; set out transplants May.
Miles City: start seed indoors Feb–Mar; set out transplants Apr–Jun.

Ready in about 75 days from transplants. Tender: in spring, from about May 17 in Billings. If frost is in the forecast, hold off until it passes and nights stay above 36°F.

Source: Montana State University Extension, Can I Grow That Here? Vegetable Seed and Transplant Schedules for Garden or Container (MontGuide MT199308AG), converted to dates with MSU Extension 'Frost Freeze Data for Montana'. Days to harvest: Ezina crop catalog, from state extension guides.

Turnips

Brassica rapa

Cool seasonSuccession sow
Turnips
Photo by thebittenword.com / CC BY 2.0 / Wikimedia Commons

Billings: sow Aug.
Bozeman (Belgrade): sow Jul–Aug.
Great Falls: sow Jul–Aug.
Helena: sow Jul–Aug.
Missoula: sow Jul–Aug.
Miles City: sow Aug.

Ready in about 50 days; sow again every 5 weeks.

Source: Montana State University Extension, Can I Grow That Here? Vegetable Seed and Transplant Schedules for Garden or Container (MontGuide MT199308AG), converted to dates with MSU Extension 'Frost Freeze Data for Montana'. Days to harvest: Ezina crop catalog, from state extension guides.

Watermelon

Citrullus lanatus

Tender
Watermelon
Photo by F ASTILY / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Wikimedia Commons

Billings: start seed indoors Mar–Apr; plant Apr–Jun.
Great Falls: start seed indoors Apr; plant May–Jun.
Helena: start seed indoors Apr; plant May.
Missoula: start seed indoors Apr; plant May.
Miles City: plant Apr–Jun; start seed indoors Apr.

Ready in about 85 days from seed, 75 from transplants. Tender: in spring, from about May 17 in Billings. If frost is in the forecast, hold off until it passes and nights stay above 36°F.

Source: Montana State University Extension, Can I Grow That Here? Vegetable Seed and Transplant Schedules for Garden or Container (MontGuide MT199308AG), converted to dates with MSU Extension 'Frost Freeze Data for Montana'. Days to harvest: Ezina crop catalog, from state extension guides.

Winter squash

Cucurbita moschata

Tender
Winter squash
Photo by Howard, R.A / Public domain / Smithsonian Institution, Richard A. Howard Photograph Collection / via USDA PLANTS

Billings: start seed indoors Mar–Apr; plant Apr–Jul.
Bozeman (Belgrade): start seed indoors Apr–May; plant May–Jun.
Great Falls: start seed indoors Apr; plant May–Jun.
Helena: start seed indoors Apr; plant May–Jun.
Missoula: start seed indoors Apr; plant May–Jun.
Miles City: plant Apr–Jun; start seed indoors Apr.

Ready in about 95 days from seed, 80 from transplants. Tender: in spring, from about May 17 in Billings. If frost is in the forecast, hold off until it passes and nights stay above 36°F.

Source: Montana State University Extension, Can I Grow That Here? Vegetable Seed and Transplant Schedules for Garden or Container (MontGuide MT199308AG), converted to dates with MSU Extension 'Frost Freeze Data for Montana'. Days to harvest: Ezina crop catalog, from state extension guides.

§ 040 · Questions

Questions about planting in Montana

When is the last frost in Montana?

On average from about May 3 in Glendive to May 27 in Livingston. Frost is over 9 years in 10 by May 27 to July 6.

When can I plant tomatoes in Montana?

The extension service lists February to June. Tomatoes are frost-tender, so Ezina dates them from about May 17 in Billings. If frost is in the forecast, wait until it passes.

Is it too late for a fall garden?

The latest fall windows on the calendar close in August. Filter by Fall above to see what is still open.

Why not use my USDA zone?

A zone is the coldest winter night, not a frost date. These dates come from NOAA station records and the extension service.

Can Ezina date plantings for my address?

Yes. Run Ezina Dig on your address and your bed plans are dated from that site's own frost records, on iPhone and Android in the contiguous U.S.

Changes

29 Sept 2026: page published.

Sources

Montana State University Extension: Can I Grow That Here? Vegetable Seed and Transplant Schedules for Garden or Container (MontGuide MT199308AG), converted to dates with MSU Extension 'Frost Freeze Data for Montana'.

NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station freeze probabilities. U.S. Census Bureau, Vintage 2025 city and town population estimates and 2020 place gazetteer. Days to harvest and re-sowing intervals: Ezina's crop catalog, compiled from state Cooperative Extension guides. Photos: Wikimedia Commons and USDA PLANTS, credited under each photo. Checked Sept 2026.