Harlowton, MT Frost Dates & Growing Season

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

Last spring frost
May 23
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Sep 16
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
116 days
frost-free stretch
USDA zone
≈ 4b
estimated from nearby reference
Risky (1 year in 10)MedianSafe (9 years in 10)
Last spring frost May 12 May 23 Jun 6
First fall frost Sep 28 Sep 16 Sep 1
Hard freeze (28°F), median last May 12 · first Sep 27

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the HARLOWTON 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 Harlowton

Computed from Harlowton's own frost dates. Click any crop for the full zone-4 growing guide — varieties, spacing, fall plantings, and more.

CropStart seeds indoorsTransplantDirect sow
🍅 Tomatoes Mar 28 – Apr 11 May 30 – Jun 6
🫑 Peppers Mar 14 – Mar 28 Jun 6 – Jun 13
🥬 Lettuce Apr 11 – Apr 25 Apr 25 – May 9 Apr 25 – May 23
🫛 Peas Apr 11 – Apr 25
🥕 Carrots May 2 – May 23
🥦 Broccoli Apr 4 – Apr 18 May 2 – May 16
🥬 Kale Apr 11 – Apr 25 Apr 25 – May 9 Apr 25 – May 9
🥒 Cucumbers Apr 25 – May 2 May 30 – Jun 6 May 30 – Jun 6
🥒 Zucchini Apr 25 – May 2 May 30 – Jun 6 May 30 – Jun 6
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) May 30 – Jun 6
🌽 Sweet Corn May 30 – Jun 6
🌿 Basil Apr 11 – Apr 25 May 30 – Jun 6 Jun 6 – Jun 13
🧄 Garlic Fall: Aug 5 – Sep 2

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 Harlowton's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in Harlowton

At about 116 frost-free days, Harlowton 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 Harlowton, MT?

The average last spring frost in Harlowton is around May 23, 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 Harlowton, MT?

The average first fall frost in Harlowton arrives around Sep 16. 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 Harlowton?

About 116 frost-free days on average, from May 23 to Sep 16. 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 Harlowton in?

USDA zone 4b 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.