Frost dates for ZIP 59716 (Big Sky, MT)
Average last spring and first fall frost dates with 10%, 50% and 90% odds, from NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the nearest weather station, Ennis, MT (16 miles away).
- Average last spring frostJun 1650% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostSep 450% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)78 daysmedian, 32°F threshold
- USDA hardiness zone4b-25 to -20°F avg. coldest night
This week in your yard
As of Oct 18, 2026, from your frost dates, zone and soil temperature. Lawn timing · Vegetables · Pruning · Plants
Fall in zone 4b
Soil temperature now
2-inch depth
44°F Below 50°F
24-hour average · latest 42°F, as of Oct 18, 8:00 AM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Table Mountain (37 mi).
4-inch depth
44°F Below 50°F
24-hour average · latest 44°F, as of Oct 18, 8:00 AM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Table Mountain (37 mi).
Fall: Texas A&M AgriLife times fall pre-emergent (for winter weeds such as annual bluegrass) to soil cooling to about 70°F for several days. The 50–55°F band is the spring trigger. Always read and follow the product label.
7-day forecast and frost risk
The latest National Weather Service 7-day forecast and any Frost Advisory or Freeze Warning for 59716 load here. You can also open the NWS forecast for this ZIP.
Pre-emergent
Soil is 44°F at 4 inches (estimated soil temperature, not a station reading). Fall pre-emergent window is mostly past. Next: spring, when soil reaches 50°F (typically mid-April to mid-May).
Fertilizer window
Lawn region: Mountain West and High Plains. Timing only; always follow the product label.
- Kentucky bluegrass (cool-season): Early fall: Around Labor Day (late August–September); Late fall: Late October–November, before the ground freezes; Late spring: Optional around Memorial Day. Avoid: Early-spring and midsummer feeding (pushes top growth, favors crabgrass).
Plant now
No vegetable planting windows are open this week.
Prune now
No frost-timed pruning windows are open this week.
Spring-flowering shrubs are pruned right after their flowers fade, not by date. See the pruning guide.
Last spring frost odds
| Chance of a 32°F freeze after this date | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early: most years still freeze after this) | May 30 |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | Jun 16 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | Jul 6 |
Most gardeners plant frost-tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, basil) after the 50% date, and closer to the 10% date for less risk.
First fall frost odds
| Chance the first 32°F freeze has happened by this date | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early: 1 year in 10 freezes this soon) | Aug 20 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Sep 4 |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Sep 19 |
Light frost, freeze and hard freeze
| Threshold | Last spring (50%) | First fall (50%) |
|---|---|---|
| 36°F (light frost possible on clear, calm nights) | n/a | n/a |
| 32°F (freeze) | Jun 16 | Sep 4 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | May 23 | Sep 18 |
n/a means NOAA did not publish a date at that threshold for this station (usually because it rarely gets that cold).
Vegetable planting calendar for 59716
Dates count from your average last spring frost (Jun 16) and first fall frost (Sep 4). Half of years have a frost after the spring date, so give tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, squash) some slack.
| Crop | Start indoors | Spring planting | Fall planting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Apr 21–May 5 | Jun 23–Jul 7 (transplant) | – |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Apr 7–21 | Jun 30–Jul 14 (transplant) | – |
| Eggplant | Apr 7–21 | Jun 30–Jul 14 (transplant) | – |
| Tomatillo | Apr 21–May 5 | Jun 23–Jul 7 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Apr 21–May 5 | May 26–Jun 16 (transplant) May 19–Jun 30 (sow outdoors) | Jul 10–31 (transplant) |
| Spinach | – | May 5–26 (sow outdoors) | Jul 10–31 (sowing) |
| Kale | Apr 21–May 5 | May 19–Jun 2 (transplant) May 19–Jun 2 (sow outdoors) | Jun 12–Jul 10 (transplant) |
| Collards | Apr 21–May 5 | May 19–Jun 16 (transplant) May 19–Jun 16 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Broccoli | Apr 7–21 | May 19–Jun 2 (transplant) | – |
| Cabbage | Apr 7–21 | May 19–Jun 2 (transplant) | – |
| Cauliflower | Apr 7–21 | Jun 2–16 (transplant) | – |
| Brussels sprouts | Mar 24–Apr 7 | May 19–Jun 2 (transplant) | – |
| Kohlrabi | Apr 21–May 5 | May 19–Jun 2 (transplant) May 19–Jun 2 (sow outdoors) | Jun 26–Jul 10 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | May 19–Jun 2 (sow outdoors) | Jul 10–24 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | May 19–Jun 16 (sow outdoors) | Jul 10–Aug 7 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | May 19–Jun 9 (sow outdoors) | Jul 10–24 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | May 5–19 | Jun 2–23 (transplant) Jun 2–30 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Beet | – | May 19–Jun 16 (sow outdoors) | Jun 26–Jul 10 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | May 26–Jun 23 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Radish | – | May 12–Jun 23 (sow outdoors) | Jul 24–Aug 7 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | May 19–Jun 9 (sow outdoors) | Jun 26–Jul 10 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | May 26–Jun 16 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Apr 21–May 19 (sow outdoors) | Jun 12–26 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Mar 24–Apr 7 | May 5–19 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | May 5–Jun 2 (sow outdoors) | Jun 26–Jul 10 (sowing) |
| Leek | Mar 24–Apr 7 | May 19–Jun 2 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Jul 24–Aug 21 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | May 5–19 (transplant) | Jul 24–Aug 21 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | May 19–Jun 2 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet potato | – | Jul 7–21 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | Jun 23–Jul 7 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | Jun 23–Jul 7 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, pole | – | Jun 23–Jul 7 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | Jun 30–Jul 14 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | Jul 7–28 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | May 19–26 | Jun 23–Jul 7 (transplant) Jun 23–Jul 7 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Summer squash / zucchini | May 19–26 | Jun 23–Jul 7 (transplant) Jun 23–Jul 7 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Winter squash | May 19–26 | Jun 23–Jul 7 (transplant) Jun 23–Jul 7 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | Jun 23–Jul 7 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | May 19–26 | Jun 30–Jul 14 (transplant) Jun 30–Jul 14 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | May 19–26 | Jun 30–Jul 14 (transplant) Jun 30–Jul 14 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | May 5–19 | Jun 30–Jul 14 (transplant) Jun 30–Jul 14 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Mar 24–Apr 7 | Jun 23–30 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | May 5–19 | Jun 23–Jul 7 (transplant) Jun 23–Jul 7 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | Jun 2–30 (sow outdoors) | Jul 10–24 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Apr 7–21 | Jun 2–16 (transplant) May 26–Jun 16 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | Jun 16–30 (sow outdoors) | Jul 10–24 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | Jun 16–30 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | May 19–Jun 2 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | May 19–Jun 2 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | May 19–Jun 2 (transplant) | Jun 26–Jul 24 (transplant) |
Typical ranges from university extension planting calendars, adjusted to your frost dates. Probabilities, not guarantees. Fall windows that would overlap spring planting are left out, as are fall crops of frost-tender plants where the frost-free season is under 210 days.
Where these numbers come from
Station: Ennis, MT (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USC00242793), elevation 4,953 ft, 16.2 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: S (standard, 24+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Norris Madison Pwr House, MT | 18 mi | Apr 30 | Oct 10 |
| Virginia City, MT | 27 mi | Jun 4 | Sep 18 |
| Bozeman 6 W EXP Farm, MT | 29 mi | May 23 | Sep 23 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 48 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 59716
When is the last frost in 59716?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 59716 is June 16. For a more cautious planting date, use July 6, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 59716?
The average first fall freeze is September 4. In 1 year in 10 it comes by August 20.
What hardiness zone is 59716?
ZIP 59716 is in USDA zone 4b (-25 to -20°F average coldest winter night), per the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map ZIP listing.
What is the soil temperature in 59716 right now?
This page shows the latest 2-inch and 4-inch soil temperature from the nearest public soil station (USDA SCAN, NOAA USCRN or TexMesonet), or a labeled estimate when no station is close, against the 50–55°F spring pre-emergent band.
Nearby ZIP codes
59729 Ennis 59730 Big Sky 59027 South Glastonbury 59745 Norris 59740 McAllister 59720 59718 Four Corners 59755 Virginia City
Other ZIP codes in Madison County
59710 59720 59729 59735 59740 59745 59747 59749 59751 59754 59755 All Madison County frost dates · Montana frost dates
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