Fishtail, MT frost dates
Last spring frostJun 1median date
First fall frostSep 11median date
Growing season102 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone5aZone 5a
How Fishtail compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Fishtail falls between May 15 and June 21, a 37-day window. The first fall frost falls between August 25 and September 26.
- The median last frost is 13 days later than the Montana median of May 19.
- Its 102-day growing season is longer than 13% of the 325 Montana places with a regular frost season (state median 125 days).
- The last frost is 29 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 161 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Billings, MT, 94 km away, the last frost here is 28 days later than there and the growing season is 54 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | May 15 |
| 50% (median) | June 1 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | June 21 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | August 25 |
| 50% (median) | September 11 |
| 90% (late) | September 26 |
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 Fishtail, MT
Fishtail, MT frost dates — last frost Jun 1, first frost Sep 11, zone 5a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Mar 9 to Mar 23Transplant outside: May 4 to May 18
Start indoors: Mar 23 to Apr 6Transplant outside: Jun 15 to Jun 29
Start indoors: Mar 23 to Apr 6Transplant outside: Jun 15 to Jun 29
Start indoors: Apr 6 to Apr 20Transplant outside: Jun 8 to Jun 22
Start indoors: Apr 6 to Apr 20Transplant outside: May 11 to May 25Sow outdoors: May 4 to Jun 8Plant for fall: Jul 17 to Aug 14
Start indoors: Apr 6 to Apr 20Transplant outside: May 4 to May 18Sow outdoors: May 4 to May 18Plant for fall: Jul 3 to Jul 24
Start indoors: Apr 6 to Apr 20Transplant outside: May 18 to Jun 1
Start indoors: Apr 6 to Apr 20Transplant outside: May 11 to May 25
Start indoors: Apr 6 to Apr 20Transplant outside: May 18 to Jun 1
Start indoors: Apr 20 to May 4Transplant outside: Jun 22 to Jul 6Sow outdoors: Jun 22 to Jul 6
Start indoors: Apr 20 to May 4Transplant outside: Jun 8 to Jun 22
Sow outdoors: Apr 20 to May 11Plant for fall: Jun 19 to Jul 10
Sow outdoors: Apr 20 to May 11Plant for fall: Jul 17 to Aug 7
Sow outdoors: Apr 27 to Jun 8Plant for fall: Jul 31 to Aug 21
Start indoors: May 4 to May 11Transplant outside: Jun 15 to Jun 22Sow outdoors: Jun 8 to Jun 22
Start indoors: May 4 to May 11Sow outdoors: Jun 8 to Jun 22
Start indoors: May 4 to May 11Sow outdoors: Jun 8 to Jun 22
Start indoors: May 4 to May 11Transplant outside: Jun 15 to Jun 29
Sow outdoors: May 11 to Jun 8
Sow outdoors: May 11 to Jun 8Plant for fall: Jul 3 to Jul 17
Sow outdoors: May 11 to Jun 1
Sow outdoors: May 18 to Jun 15Plant for fall: Jul 3 to Jul 17
Sow outdoors: May 18 to Jun 8Plant for fall: Jul 17 to Aug 7
Sow outdoors: Jun 8 to Jun 29
Sow outdoors: Jun 8 to Jun 22
Transplant outside: Jun 15 to Jul 6
Plant for fall: Aug 28 to Oct 2
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Fishtail, MT
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | May 4 – May 18 | — | — |
| Peppers | Mar 23 – Apr 6 | Jun 15 – Jun 29 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Mar 23 – Apr 6 | Jun 15 – Jun 29 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | Jun 8 – Jun 22 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | May 11 – May 25 | May 4 – Jun 8 | Jul 17 – Aug 14 |
| Kale | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | May 4 – May 18 | May 4 – May 18 | Jul 3 – Jul 24 |
| Broccoli | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | May 18 – Jun 1 | — | — |
| Cabbage | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | May 11 – May 25 | — | — |
| Cauliflower | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | May 18 – Jun 1 | — | — |
| Okra | Apr 20 – May 4 | Jun 22 – Jul 6 | Jun 22 – Jul 6 | — |
| Basil | Apr 20 – May 4 | Jun 8 – Jun 22 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Apr 20 – May 11 | Jun 19 – Jul 10 |
| Spinach | — | — | Apr 20 – May 11 | Jul 17 – Aug 7 |
| Radishes | — | — | Apr 27 – Jun 8 | Jul 31 – Aug 21 |
| Cucumbers | May 4 – May 11 | Jun 15 – Jun 22 | Jun 8 – Jun 22 | — |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | May 4 – May 11 | — | Jun 8 – Jun 22 | — |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins Warning: Your frost-free season is about 102 days, which is tight for winter squash & pumpkins (100+ days). Choose early varieties and use transplants or row covers. | May 4 – May 11 | — | Jun 8 – Jun 22 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | May 4 – May 11 | Jun 15 – Jun 29 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | May 11 – Jun 8 | — |
| Beets | — | — | May 11 – Jun 8 | Jul 3 – Jul 17 |
| Potatoes | — | — | May 11 – Jun 1 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | May 18 – Jun 15 | Jul 3 – Jul 17 |
| Cilantro | — | — | May 18 – Jun 8 | Jul 17 – Aug 7 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Jun 8 – Jun 29 | — |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Jun 8 – Jun 22 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes Warning: Your frost-free season is about 102 days, which is tight for sweet potatoes (100+ days). Choose early varieties and use transplants or row covers. | — | Jun 15 – Jul 6 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Aug 28 – Oct 2 |
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 Nye #2, MT weather station, 18 km away (elevation 4,839 ft (1,475 m)).
Frost dates near Fishtail
- Roscoe Jun 5 · Sep 14
- Absarokee May 27 · Sep 14
- Nye Jun 1 · Sep 11
- Roberts May 29 · Sep 15
- Red Lodge Jun 3 · Sep 19
- Mc Leod Jun 1 · Sep 11
- Columbus May 27 · Sep 14
- Reed Point May 27 · Sep 14
- Boyd May 29 · Sep 15
- Bearcreek Jun 3 · Sep 19
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Fishtail, MT?
The median last spring frost in Fishtail, MT is June 1. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after June 21, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Fishtail, MT?
The median first fall frost is September 11, with about a 10% chance of frost before August 25.
How long is the growing season in Fishtail, MT?
About 102 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Fishtail, MT?
Fishtail, MT is in USDA hardiness zone 5a.