Melville, MT frost dates
Last spring frostJun 9median date
First fall frostSep 7median date
Growing season90 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone4bZone 4b
How Melville compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Melville falls between May 26 and June 27, a 32-day window. The first fall frost falls between August 21 and September 23.
- The median last frost is 21 days later than the Montana median of May 19.
- Its 90-day growing season is longer than 6% of the 325 Montana places with a regular frost season (state median 125 days).
- The last frost is 32 days later than the zone 4b median of May 8. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 4b chart.
- The weather station records an average of 196 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Billings, MT, 104 km away, the last frost here is 36 days later than there and the growing season is 66 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | May 26 |
| 50% (median) | June 9 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | June 27 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | August 21 |
| 50% (median) | September 7 |
| 90% (late) | September 23 |
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 Melville, MT
Melville, MT frost dates — last frost Jun 9, first frost Sep 7, zone 4b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Mar 17 to Mar 31Transplant outside: May 12 to May 26
Start indoors: Mar 31 to Apr 14Transplant outside: Jun 23 to Jul 7
Start indoors: Mar 31 to Apr 14Transplant outside: Jun 23 to Jul 7
Start indoors: Apr 14 to Apr 28Transplant outside: Jun 16 to Jun 30
Start indoors: Apr 14 to Apr 28Transplant outside: May 19 to Jun 2Sow outdoors: May 12 to Jun 16Plant for fall: Jul 13 to Aug 10
Start indoors: Apr 14 to Apr 28Transplant outside: May 12 to May 26Sow outdoors: May 12 to May 26Plant for fall: Jun 29 to Jul 20
Start indoors: Apr 14 to Apr 28Transplant outside: May 26 to Jun 9
Start indoors: Apr 14 to Apr 28Transplant outside: May 19 to Jun 2
Start indoors: Apr 14 to Apr 28Transplant outside: May 26 to Jun 9
Start indoors: Apr 28 to May 12Transplant outside: Jun 30 to Jul 14Sow outdoors: Jun 30 to Jul 14
Start indoors: Apr 28 to May 12Transplant outside: Jun 16 to Jun 30
Sow outdoors: Apr 28 to May 19
Sow outdoors: Apr 28 to May 19Plant for fall: Jul 13 to Aug 3
Sow outdoors: May 5 to Jun 16Plant for fall: Jul 27 to Aug 17
Start indoors: May 12 to May 19Transplant outside: Jun 23 to Jun 30Sow outdoors: Jun 16 to Jun 30
Start indoors: May 12 to May 19Sow outdoors: Jun 16 to Jun 30
Start indoors: May 12 to May 19Sow outdoors: Jun 16 to Jun 30
Start indoors: May 12 to May 19Transplant outside: Jun 23 to Jul 7
Sow outdoors: May 19 to Jun 16
Sow outdoors: May 19 to Jun 16
Sow outdoors: May 19 to Jun 9
Sow outdoors: May 26 to Jun 23
Sow outdoors: May 26 to Jun 16Plant for fall: Jul 13 to Aug 3
Sow outdoors: Jun 16 to Jul 7
Sow outdoors: Jun 16 to Jun 30
Transplant outside: Jun 23 to Jul 14
Plant for fall: Aug 24 to Sep 28
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Melville, MT
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | May 12 – May 26 | — | — |
| Peppers | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | Jun 23 – Jul 7 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | Jun 23 – Jul 7 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | Jun 16 – Jun 30 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | May 19 – Jun 2 | May 12 – Jun 16 | Jul 13 – Aug 10 |
| Kale | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | May 12 – May 26 | May 12 – May 26 | Jun 29 – Jul 20 |
| Broccoli | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | May 26 – Jun 9 | — | — |
| Cabbage | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | May 19 – Jun 2 | — | — |
| Cauliflower | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | May 26 – Jun 9 | — | — |
| Okra | Apr 28 – May 12 | Jun 30 – Jul 14 | Jun 30 – Jul 14 | — |
| Basil | Apr 28 – May 12 | Jun 16 – Jun 30 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Apr 28 – May 19 | — |
| Spinach | — | — | Apr 28 – May 19 | Jul 13 – Aug 3 |
| Radishes | — | — | May 5 – Jun 16 | Jul 27 – Aug 17 |
| Cucumbers | May 12 – May 19 | Jun 23 – Jun 30 | Jun 16 – Jun 30 | — |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | May 12 – May 19 | — | Jun 16 – Jun 30 | — |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins Warning: Your frost-free season is about 90 days, which is tight for winter squash & pumpkins (100+ days). Choose early varieties and use transplants or row covers. | May 12 – May 19 | — | Jun 16 – Jun 30 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon Warning: Your frost-free season is about 90 days, which is tight for melons & watermelon (85+ days). Choose early varieties and use transplants or row covers. | May 12 – May 19 | Jun 23 – Jul 7 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | May 19 – Jun 16 | — |
| Beets | — | — | May 19 – Jun 16 | — |
| Potatoes | — | — | May 19 – Jun 9 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | May 26 – Jun 23 | — |
| Cilantro | — | — | May 26 – Jun 16 | Jul 13 – Aug 3 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Jun 16 – Jul 7 | — |
| Sweet Corn Warning: Your frost-free season is about 90 days, which is tight for sweet corn (80+ days). Choose early varieties and use transplants or row covers. | — | — | Jun 16 – Jun 30 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes Warning: Your frost-free season is about 90 days, which is tight for sweet potatoes (100+ days). Choose early varieties and use transplants or row covers. | — | Jun 23 – Jul 14 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Aug 24 – Sep 28 |
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 Melville 4 W, MT weather station, 21 km away (elevation 5,364 ft (1,635 m)).
Frost dates near Melville
- Big Timber May 14 · Sep 26
- Shawmut May 23 · Sep 16
- Greycliff May 14 · Sep 26
- Harlowton May 23 · Sep 16
- Rapelje May 24 · Sep 21
- Two Dot May 23 · Sep 16
- Ryegate May 17 · Sep 23
- Reed Point May 27 · Sep 14
- Springdale May 27 · Sep 14
- Mc Leod Jun 1 · Sep 11
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Melville, MT?
The median last spring frost in Melville, MT is June 9. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after June 27, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Melville, MT?
The median first fall frost is September 7, with about a 10% chance of frost before August 21.
How long is the growing season in Melville, MT?
About 90 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Melville, MT?
Melville, MT is in USDA hardiness zone 4b.