Essex, MT frost dates
Last spring frostMay 9median date
First fall frostOct 1median date
Growing season145 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone5aZone 5a
How Essex compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Essex falls between April 25 and May 30, a 35-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 13 and October 17.
- The median last frost is 10 days earlier than the Montana median of May 19.
- Its 145-day growing season is longer than 90% of the 325 Montana places with a regular frost season (state median 125 days).
- The last frost is 6 days later than the zone 5a median of May 3. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 5a chart.
- The weather station records an average of 169 nights a year at or below 32°F.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 25 |
| 50% (median) | May 9 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 30 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 13 |
| 50% (median) | October 1 |
| 90% (late) | October 17 |
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 Essex, MT
Essex, MT frost dates — last frost May 9, first frost Oct 1, zone 5a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Feb 14 to Feb 28Transplant outside: Apr 11 to Apr 25
Start indoors: Feb 28 to Mar 14Transplant outside: May 23 to Jun 6
Start indoors: Feb 28 to Mar 14Transplant outside: May 23 to Jun 6
Start indoors: Mar 14 to Mar 28Transplant outside: May 16 to May 30
Start indoors: Mar 14 to Mar 28Transplant outside: Apr 18 to May 2Sow outdoors: Apr 11 to May 16Plant for fall: Aug 6 to Sep 3
Start indoors: Mar 14 to Mar 28Transplant outside: Apr 11 to Apr 25Sow outdoors: Apr 11 to Apr 25Plant for fall: Jul 23 to Aug 13
Start indoors: Mar 14 to Mar 28Transplant outside: Apr 25 to May 9Plant for fall: Jun 25 to Jul 16
Start indoors: Mar 14 to Mar 28Transplant outside: Apr 18 to May 2Plant for fall: Jun 25 to Jul 16
Start indoors: Mar 14 to Mar 28Transplant outside: Apr 25 to May 9Plant for fall: Jun 25 to Jul 16
Start indoors: Mar 28 to Apr 11Transplant outside: May 30 to Jun 13Sow outdoors: May 30 to Jun 13
Start indoors: Mar 28 to Apr 11Transplant outside: May 16 to May 30
Sow outdoors: Mar 28 to Apr 18Plant for fall: Jul 9 to Jul 30
Sow outdoors: Mar 28 to Apr 18Plant for fall: Aug 6 to Aug 27
Sow outdoors: Apr 4 to May 16Plant for fall: Aug 20 to Sep 10
Start indoors: Apr 11 to Apr 18Transplant outside: May 23 to May 30Sow outdoors: May 16 to May 30Plant for fall: Jul 16 to Jul 30
Start indoors: Apr 11 to Apr 18Sow outdoors: May 16 to May 30Plant for fall: Jul 23 to Aug 6
Start indoors: Apr 11 to Apr 18Sow outdoors: May 16 to May 30
Start indoors: Apr 11 to Apr 18Transplant outside: May 23 to Jun 6
Sow outdoors: Apr 18 to May 16Plant for fall: Jul 9 to Jul 23
Sow outdoors: Apr 18 to May 16Plant for fall: Jul 23 to Aug 6
Sow outdoors: Apr 18 to May 9
Sow outdoors: Apr 25 to May 23Plant for fall: Jul 23 to Aug 6
Sow outdoors: Apr 25 to May 16Plant for fall: Aug 6 to Aug 27
Sow outdoors: May 16 to Jun 6Plant for fall: Jul 16 to Jul 30
Sow outdoors: May 16 to May 30
Transplant outside: May 23 to Jun 13
Plant for fall: Sep 17 to Oct 22
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Essex, MT
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | May 23 – Jun 6 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | May 23 – Jun 6 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | May 16 – May 30 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | Apr 18 – May 2 | Apr 11 – May 16 | Aug 6 – Sep 3 |
| Kale | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | Jul 23 – Aug 13 |
| Broccoli | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | Apr 25 – May 9 | — | Jun 25 – Jul 16 |
| Cabbage | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | Apr 18 – May 2 | — | Jun 25 – Jul 16 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | Apr 25 – May 9 | — | Jun 25 – Jul 16 |
| Okra | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | May 30 – Jun 13 | May 30 – Jun 13 | — |
| Basil | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | May 16 – May 30 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 28 – Apr 18 | Jul 9 – Jul 30 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 28 – Apr 18 | Aug 6 – Aug 27 |
| Radishes | — | — | Apr 4 – May 16 | Aug 20 – Sep 10 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 11 – Apr 18 | May 23 – May 30 | May 16 – May 30 | Jul 16 – Jul 30 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 11 – Apr 18 | — | May 16 – May 30 | Jul 23 – Aug 6 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 11 – Apr 18 | — | May 16 – May 30 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 11 – Apr 18 | May 23 – Jun 6 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 18 – May 16 | Jul 9 – Jul 23 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 18 – May 16 | Jul 23 – Aug 6 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 18 – May 9 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 25 – May 23 | Jul 23 – Aug 6 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 25 – May 16 | Aug 6 – Aug 27 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 16 – Jun 6 | Jul 16 – Jul 30 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 16 – May 30 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 23 – Jun 13 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 17 – Oct 22 |
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 Hungry Horse Dam, MT weather station, 31 km away (elevation 3,159 ft (963 m)).
Frost dates near Essex
- Lake Mc Donald May 9 · Oct 1
- Martin City May 9 · Oct 1
- East Glacier Park Jun 8 · Sep 5
- Hungry Horse May 9 · Oct 1
- West Glacier May 18 · Sep 20
- Coram May 18 · Sep 20
- Bigfork May 12 · Sep 25
- Columbia Falls May 31 · Sep 10
- Somers May 12 · Sep 25
- Kalispell May 31 · Sep 10
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Essex, MT?
The median last spring frost in Essex, MT is May 9. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 30, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Essex, MT?
The median first fall frost is October 1, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 13.
How long is the growing season in Essex, MT?
About 145 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Essex, MT?
Essex, MT is in USDA hardiness zone 5a.