Red Lodge, MT frost dates
Last spring frostJun 3median date
First fall frostSep 19median date
Growing season108 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone5aZone 5a
How Red Lodge compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Red Lodge falls between May 19 and June 18, a 30-day window. The first fall frost falls between August 31 and October 3.
- The median last frost is 15 days later than the Montana median of May 19.
- Its 108-day growing season is longer than 19% of the 325 Montana places with a regular frost season (state median 125 days).
- The last frost is 31 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 192 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Billings, MT, 89 km away, the last frost here is 30 days later than there and the growing season is 48 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | May 19 |
| 50% (median) | June 3 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | June 18 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | August 31 |
| 50% (median) | September 19 |
| 90% (late) | October 3 |
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 Red Lodge, MT
Red Lodge, MT frost dates — last frost Jun 3, first frost Sep 19, zone 5a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Mar 11 to Mar 25Transplant outside: May 6 to May 20
Start indoors: Mar 25 to Apr 8Transplant outside: Jun 17 to Jul 1
Start indoors: Mar 25 to Apr 8Transplant outside: Jun 17 to Jul 1
Start indoors: Apr 8 to Apr 22Transplant outside: Jun 10 to Jun 24
Start indoors: Apr 8 to Apr 22Transplant outside: May 13 to May 27Sow outdoors: May 6 to Jun 10Plant for fall: Jul 25 to Aug 22
Start indoors: Apr 8 to Apr 22Transplant outside: May 6 to May 20Sow outdoors: May 6 to May 20Plant for fall: Jul 11 to Aug 1
Start indoors: Apr 8 to Apr 22Transplant outside: May 20 to Jun 3
Start indoors: Apr 8 to Apr 22Transplant outside: May 13 to May 27
Start indoors: Apr 8 to Apr 22Transplant outside: May 20 to Jun 3
Start indoors: Apr 22 to May 6Transplant outside: Jun 24 to Jul 8Sow outdoors: Jun 24 to Jul 8
Start indoors: Apr 22 to May 6Transplant outside: Jun 10 to Jun 24
Sow outdoors: Apr 22 to May 13Plant for fall: Jun 27 to Jul 18
Sow outdoors: Apr 22 to May 13Plant for fall: Jul 25 to Aug 15
Sow outdoors: Apr 29 to Jun 10Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Aug 29
Start indoors: May 6 to May 13Transplant outside: Jun 17 to Jun 24Sow outdoors: Jun 10 to Jun 24
Start indoors: May 6 to May 13Sow outdoors: Jun 10 to Jun 24Plant for fall: Jul 11 to Jul 25
Start indoors: May 6 to May 13Sow outdoors: Jun 10 to Jun 24
Start indoors: May 6 to May 13Transplant outside: Jun 17 to Jul 1
Sow outdoors: May 13 to Jun 10Plant for fall: Jun 27 to Jul 11
Sow outdoors: May 13 to Jun 10Plant for fall: Jul 11 to Jul 25
Sow outdoors: May 13 to Jun 3
Sow outdoors: May 20 to Jun 17Plant for fall: Jul 11 to Jul 25
Sow outdoors: May 20 to Jun 10Plant for fall: Jul 25 to Aug 15
Sow outdoors: Jun 10 to Jul 1
Sow outdoors: Jun 10 to Jun 24
Transplant outside: Jun 17 to Jul 8
Plant for fall: Sep 5 to Oct 10
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Red Lodge, MT
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | May 6 – May 20 | — | — |
| Peppers | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | Jun 17 – Jul 1 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | Jun 17 – Jul 1 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | Jun 10 – Jun 24 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | May 13 – May 27 | May 6 – Jun 10 | Jul 25 – Aug 22 |
| Kale | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | May 6 – May 20 | May 6 – May 20 | Jul 11 – Aug 1 |
| Broccoli | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | May 20 – Jun 3 | — | — |
| Cabbage | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | May 13 – May 27 | — | — |
| Cauliflower | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | May 20 – Jun 3 | — | — |
| Okra | Apr 22 – May 6 | Jun 24 – Jul 8 | Jun 24 – Jul 8 | — |
| Basil | Apr 22 – May 6 | Jun 10 – Jun 24 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Apr 22 – May 13 | Jun 27 – Jul 18 |
| Spinach | — | — | Apr 22 – May 13 | Jul 25 – Aug 15 |
| Radishes | — | — | Apr 29 – Jun 10 | Aug 8 – Aug 29 |
| Cucumbers | May 6 – May 13 | Jun 17 – Jun 24 | Jun 10 – Jun 24 | — |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | May 6 – May 13 | — | Jun 10 – Jun 24 | Jul 11 – Jul 25 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins Warning: Your frost-free season is about 108 days, which is tight for winter squash & pumpkins (100+ days). Choose early varieties and use transplants or row covers. | May 6 – May 13 | — | Jun 10 – Jun 24 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | May 6 – May 13 | Jun 17 – Jul 1 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | May 13 – Jun 10 | Jun 27 – Jul 11 |
| Beets | — | — | May 13 – Jun 10 | Jul 11 – Jul 25 |
| Potatoes | — | — | May 13 – Jun 3 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | May 20 – Jun 17 | Jul 11 – Jul 25 |
| Cilantro | — | — | May 20 – Jun 10 | Jul 25 – Aug 15 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Jun 10 – Jul 1 | — |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Jun 10 – Jun 24 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes Warning: Your frost-free season is about 108 days, which is tight for sweet potatoes (100+ days). Choose early varieties and use transplants or row covers. | — | Jun 17 – Jul 8 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 5 – Oct 10 |
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 Red Lodge, MT weather station, 2 km away (elevation 5,646 ft (1,721 m)).
Frost dates near Red Lodge
- Bearcreek Jun 3 · Sep 19
- Roberts May 29 · Sep 15
- Belfry May 18 · Sep 22
- Roscoe Jun 5 · Sep 14
- Bridger May 14 · Sep 24
- Boyd May 29 · Sep 15
- Fishtail Jun 1 · Sep 11
- Fromberg May 14 · Sep 24
- Absarokee May 27 · Sep 14
- Joliet May 29 · Sep 15
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Red Lodge, MT?
The median last spring frost in Red Lodge, MT is June 3. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after June 18, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Red Lodge, MT?
The median first fall frost is September 19, with about a 10% chance of frost before August 31.
How long is the growing season in Red Lodge, MT?
About 108 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Red Lodge, MT?
Red Lodge, MT is in USDA hardiness zone 5a.