Cut Bank, MT frost dates
Last spring frostMay 24median date
First fall frostSep 15median date
Growing season114 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone4aZone 4a
How Cut Bank compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Cut Bank falls between May 11 and June 5, a 25-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 1 and September 27.
- The median last frost is 5 days later than the Montana median of May 19.
- Its 114-day growing season is longer than 26% of the 325 Montana places with a regular frost season (state median 125 days).
- The last frost is 12 days later than the zone 4a median of May 12. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 4a chart.
- The weather station records an average of 186 nights a year at or below 32°F.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | May 11 |
| 50% (median) | May 24 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | June 5 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 1 |
| 50% (median) | September 15 |
| 90% (late) | September 27 |
Frost here means 32°F (0°C). A median date means half of years have their last frost earlier and half later.
Planting calendar for Cut Bank, MT
Cut Bank, MT frost dates — last frost May 24, first frost Sep 15, zone 4a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Mar 1 to Mar 15Transplant outside: Apr 26 to May 10
Start indoors: Mar 15 to Mar 29Transplant outside: Jun 7 to Jun 21
Start indoors: Mar 15 to Mar 29Transplant outside: Jun 7 to Jun 21
Start indoors: Mar 29 to Apr 12Transplant outside: May 31 to Jun 14
Start indoors: Mar 29 to Apr 12Transplant outside: May 3 to May 17Sow outdoors: Apr 26 to May 31Plant for fall: Jul 21 to Aug 18
Start indoors: Mar 29 to Apr 12Transplant outside: Apr 26 to May 10Sow outdoors: Apr 26 to May 10Plant for fall: Jul 7 to Jul 28
Start indoors: Mar 29 to Apr 12Transplant outside: May 10 to May 24Plant for fall: Jun 9 to Jun 30
Start indoors: Mar 29 to Apr 12Transplant outside: May 3 to May 17Plant for fall: Jun 9 to Jun 30
Start indoors: Mar 29 to Apr 12Transplant outside: May 10 to May 24Plant for fall: Jun 9 to Jun 30
Start indoors: Apr 12 to Apr 26Transplant outside: Jun 14 to Jun 28Sow outdoors: Jun 14 to Jun 28
Start indoors: Apr 12 to Apr 26Transplant outside: May 31 to Jun 14
Sow outdoors: Apr 12 to May 3Plant for fall: Jun 23 to Jul 14
Sow outdoors: Apr 12 to May 3Plant for fall: Jul 21 to Aug 11
Sow outdoors: Apr 19 to May 31Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Aug 25
Start indoors: Apr 26 to May 3Transplant outside: Jun 7 to Jun 14Sow outdoors: May 31 to Jun 14Plant for fall: Jun 30 to Jul 14
Start indoors: Apr 26 to May 3Sow outdoors: May 31 to Jun 14Plant for fall: Jul 7 to Jul 21
Start indoors: Apr 26 to May 3Sow outdoors: May 31 to Jun 14
Start indoors: Apr 26 to May 3Transplant outside: Jun 7 to Jun 21
Sow outdoors: May 3 to May 31Plant for fall: Jun 23 to Jul 7
Sow outdoors: May 3 to May 31Plant for fall: Jul 7 to Jul 21
Sow outdoors: May 3 to May 24
Sow outdoors: May 10 to Jun 7Plant for fall: Jul 7 to Jul 21
Sow outdoors: May 10 to May 31Plant for fall: Jul 21 to Aug 11
Sow outdoors: May 31 to Jun 21
Sow outdoors: May 31 to Jun 14
Transplant outside: Jun 7 to Jun 28
Plant for fall: Sep 1 to Oct 6
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Cut Bank, MT
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | Apr 26 – May 10 | — | — |
| Peppers | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | Jun 7 – Jun 21 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | Jun 7 – Jun 21 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | May 31 – Jun 14 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | May 3 – May 17 | Apr 26 – May 31 | Jul 21 – Aug 18 |
| Kale | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | Apr 26 – May 10 | Apr 26 – May 10 | Jul 7 – Jul 28 |
| Broccoli | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | May 10 – May 24 | — | Jun 9 – Jun 30 |
| Cabbage | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | May 3 – May 17 | — | Jun 9 – Jun 30 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | May 10 – May 24 | — | Jun 9 – Jun 30 |
| Okra | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | Jun 14 – Jun 28 | Jun 14 – Jun 28 | — |
| Basil | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | May 31 – Jun 14 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Apr 12 – May 3 | Jun 23 – Jul 14 |
| Spinach | — | — | Apr 12 – May 3 | Jul 21 – Aug 11 |
| Radishes | — | — | Apr 19 – May 31 | Aug 4 – Aug 25 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 26 – May 3 | Jun 7 – Jun 14 | May 31 – Jun 14 | Jun 30 – Jul 14 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 26 – May 3 | — | May 31 – Jun 14 | Jul 7 – Jul 21 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 26 – May 3 | — | May 31 – Jun 14 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 26 – May 3 | Jun 7 – Jun 21 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | May 3 – May 31 | Jun 23 – Jul 7 |
| Beets | — | — | May 3 – May 31 | Jul 7 – Jul 21 |
| Potatoes | — | — | May 3 – May 24 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | May 10 – Jun 7 | Jul 7 – Jul 21 |
| Cilantro | — | — | May 10 – May 31 | Jul 21 – Aug 11 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 31 – Jun 21 | — |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 31 – Jun 14 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Jun 7 – Jun 28 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 1 – Oct 6 |
Dates come from the median frost dates and common extension-service timing. Adjust for your soil temperature, microclimate and the varieties you grow.
About these dates
Based on 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for the Cut Bank Muni Ap, MT weather station, 6 km away (elevation 3,839 ft (1,170 m)).
Frost dates near Cut Bank
- Ethridge May 24 · Sep 15
- Kevin May 17 · Sep 25
- Oilmont May 17 · Sep 25
- Shelby May 23 · Sep 16
- Valier May 17 · Sep 24
- Sweet Grass May 15 · Sep 25
- Browning Jun 8 · Sep 5
- Sunburst May 17 · Sep 25
- Dupuyer Jun 9 · Sep 3
- Heart Butte Jun 8 · Sep 5
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Cut Bank, MT?
The median last spring frost in Cut Bank, MT is May 24. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after June 5, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Cut Bank, MT?
The median first fall frost is September 15, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 1.
How long is the growing season in Cut Bank, MT?
About 114 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Cut Bank, MT?
Cut Bank, MT is in USDA hardiness zone 4a.