Plentywood, MT Frost Dates & Growing Season

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

Last spring frost
May 25
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Sep 14
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
112 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 13 May 25 Jun 8
First fall frost Sep 25 Sep 14 Sep 2
Hard freeze (28°F), median last May 15 · first Sep 22

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the PLENTYWOOD 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 Plentywood

Computed from Plentywood'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 30 – Apr 13 Jun 1 – Jun 8
🫑 Peppers Mar 16 – Mar 30 Jun 8 – Jun 15
🥬 Lettuce Apr 13 – Apr 27 Apr 27 – May 11 Apr 27 – May 25
🫛 Peas Apr 13 – Apr 27
🥕 Carrots May 4 – May 25
🥦 Broccoli Apr 6 – Apr 20 May 4 – May 18
🥬 Kale Apr 13 – Apr 27 Apr 27 – May 11 Apr 27 – May 11
🥒 Cucumbers Apr 27 – May 4 Jun 1 – Jun 8 Jun 1 – Jun 8
🥒 Zucchini Apr 27 – May 4 Jun 1 – Jun 8 Jun 1 – Jun 8
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) Jun 1 – Jun 8
🌽 Sweet Corn Jun 1 – Jun 8
🌿 Basil Apr 13 – Apr 27 Jun 1 – Jun 8 Jun 8 – Jun 15
🧄 Garlic Fall: Aug 3 – Aug 31

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 Plentywood's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in Plentywood

At about 112 frost-free days, Plentywood 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 Plentywood, MT?

The average last spring frost in Plentywood is around May 25, 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 Plentywood, MT?

The average first fall frost in Plentywood arrives around Sep 14. 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 Plentywood?

About 112 frost-free days on average, from May 25 to Sep 14. 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 Plentywood 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.