Elliston, MT Frost Dates & Growing Season

The two dates every Elliston garden is planned around, plus ready-computed planting windows for the most popular crops.

Last spring frost
Jun 9
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Sep 8
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
91 days
frost-free stretch
USDA zone
≈ 5b
estimated from nearby reference
Risky (1 year in 10)MedianSafe (9 years in 10)
Last spring frost May 23 Jun 9 Jun 26
First fall frost Sep 21 Sep 8 Aug 26
Hard freeze (28°F), median last May 16 · first Sep 20

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the ELLISTON station. "Safe" means frost past that date happens only about one year in ten. Your exact garden can still run days either way with elevation and terrain — check your own ZIP with the frost date lookup.

Planting windows for Elliston

Computed from Elliston's own frost dates. Click any crop for the full zone-5 growing guide — varieties, spacing, fall plantings, and more.

CropStart seeds indoorsTransplantDirect sow
🍅 Tomatoes Apr 14 – Apr 28 Jun 16 – Jun 23
🫑 Peppers Mar 31 – Apr 14 Jun 23 – Jun 30
🥬 Lettuce Apr 28 – May 12 May 12 – May 26 May 12 – Jun 9
🫛 Peas Apr 28 – May 12
🥕 Carrots May 19 – Jun 9
🥦 Broccoli Apr 21 – May 5 May 19 – Jun 2
🥬 Kale Apr 28 – May 12 May 12 – May 26 May 12 – May 26
🥒 Cucumbers May 12 – May 19 Jun 16 – Jun 23 Jun 16 – Jun 23
🥒 Zucchini May 12 – May 19 Jun 16 – Jun 23 Jun 16 – Jun 23
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) Jun 16 – Jun 23
🌽 Sweet Corn Jun 16 – Jun 23
🌿 Basil Apr 28 – May 12 Jun 16 – Jun 23 Jun 23 – Jun 30
🧄 Garlic Fall: Jul 28 – Aug 25

Want this for all 50 crops, or as a printable seed-shelf schedule? Use the planting calendar and the seed starting scheduler — both can use Elliston's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in Elliston

At about 91 frost-free days, Elliston rewards efficiency: start warm-season crops indoors, favor short-season varieties, and lean on cold-tolerant crops — peas, kale, roots — that shrug off the shoulder-season frosts on either end.

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Elliston, MT?

The average last spring frost in Elliston is around Jun 9, based on 1991–2020 climate normals. That's a median — about half of years see a later frost, so tender crops are safest going out a week or two after this date.

When is the first frost in Elliston, MT?

The average first fall frost in Elliston arrives around Sep 8. Crops still in the garden need to mature before then, and frost-tender plants need harvesting or protection as the date approaches.

How long is the growing season in Elliston?

About 91 frost-free days on average, from Jun 9 to Sep 8. That favors short-season varieties and transplants for warm-season crops, with cool-season vegetables doing the heavy lifting in spring and fall.

What USDA zone is Elliston in?

USDA zone 5b on the 2023 Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Note that zones describe winter cold, not frost timing — these frost dates are the numbers to plan plantings around.