Virginia City, MT frost dates
Last spring frostJun 4median date
First fall frostSep 18median date
Growing season106 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone5aZone 5a
How Virginia City compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Virginia City falls between May 17 and June 23, a 37-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 3 and October 2.
- The median last frost is 16 days later than the Montana median of May 19.
- Its 106-day growing season is longer than 18% of the 325 Montana places with a regular frost season (state median 125 days).
- The last frost is 32 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 198 nights a year at or below 32°F.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | May 17 |
| 50% (median) | June 4 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | June 23 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 3 |
| 50% (median) | September 18 |
| 90% (late) | October 2 |
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 Virginia City, MT
Virginia City, MT frost dates — last frost Jun 4, first frost Sep 18, zone 5a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Mar 12 to Mar 26Transplant outside: May 7 to May 21
Start indoors: Mar 26 to Apr 9Transplant outside: Jun 18 to Jul 2
Start indoors: Mar 26 to Apr 9Transplant outside: Jun 18 to Jul 2
Start indoors: Apr 9 to Apr 23Transplant outside: Jun 11 to Jun 25
Start indoors: Apr 9 to Apr 23Transplant outside: May 14 to May 28Sow outdoors: May 7 to Jun 11Plant for fall: Jul 24 to Aug 21
Start indoors: Apr 9 to Apr 23Transplant outside: May 7 to May 21Sow outdoors: May 7 to May 21Plant for fall: Jul 10 to Jul 31
Start indoors: Apr 9 to Apr 23Transplant outside: May 21 to Jun 4
Start indoors: Apr 9 to Apr 23Transplant outside: May 14 to May 28
Start indoors: Apr 9 to Apr 23Transplant outside: May 21 to Jun 4
Start indoors: Apr 23 to May 7Transplant outside: Jun 25 to Jul 9Sow outdoors: Jun 25 to Jul 9
Start indoors: Apr 23 to May 7Transplant outside: Jun 11 to Jun 25
Sow outdoors: Apr 23 to May 14Plant for fall: Jun 26 to Jul 17
Sow outdoors: Apr 23 to May 14Plant for fall: Jul 24 to Aug 14
Sow outdoors: Apr 30 to Jun 11Plant for fall: Aug 7 to Aug 28
Start indoors: May 7 to May 14Transplant outside: Jun 18 to Jun 25Sow outdoors: Jun 11 to Jun 25
Start indoors: May 7 to May 14Sow outdoors: Jun 11 to Jun 25Plant for fall: Jul 10 to Jul 24
Start indoors: May 7 to May 14Sow outdoors: Jun 11 to Jun 25
Start indoors: May 7 to May 14Transplant outside: Jun 18 to Jul 2
Sow outdoors: May 14 to Jun 11Plant for fall: Jun 26 to Jul 10
Sow outdoors: May 14 to Jun 11Plant for fall: Jul 10 to Jul 24
Sow outdoors: May 14 to Jun 4
Sow outdoors: May 21 to Jun 18Plant for fall: Jul 10 to Jul 24
Sow outdoors: May 21 to Jun 11Plant for fall: Jul 24 to Aug 14
Sow outdoors: Jun 11 to Jul 2
Sow outdoors: Jun 11 to Jun 25
Transplant outside: Jun 18 to Jul 9
Plant for fall: Sep 4 to Oct 9
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Virginia City, MT
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | May 7 – May 21 | — | — |
| Peppers | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | Jun 18 – Jul 2 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | Jun 18 – Jul 2 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Apr 9 – Apr 23 | Jun 11 – Jun 25 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Apr 9 – Apr 23 | May 14 – May 28 | May 7 – Jun 11 | Jul 24 – Aug 21 |
| Kale | Apr 9 – Apr 23 | May 7 – May 21 | May 7 – May 21 | Jul 10 – Jul 31 |
| Broccoli | Apr 9 – Apr 23 | May 21 – Jun 4 | — | — |
| Cabbage | Apr 9 – Apr 23 | May 14 – May 28 | — | — |
| Cauliflower | Apr 9 – Apr 23 | May 21 – Jun 4 | — | — |
| Okra | Apr 23 – May 7 | Jun 25 – Jul 9 | Jun 25 – Jul 9 | — |
| Basil | Apr 23 – May 7 | Jun 11 – Jun 25 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Apr 23 – May 14 | Jun 26 – Jul 17 |
| Spinach | — | — | Apr 23 – May 14 | Jul 24 – Aug 14 |
| Radishes | — | — | Apr 30 – Jun 11 | Aug 7 – Aug 28 |
| Cucumbers | May 7 – May 14 | Jun 18 – Jun 25 | Jun 11 – Jun 25 | — |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | May 7 – May 14 | — | Jun 11 – Jun 25 | Jul 10 – Jul 24 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins Warning: Your frost-free season is about 106 days, which is tight for winter squash & pumpkins (100+ days). Choose early varieties and use transplants or row covers. | May 7 – May 14 | — | Jun 11 – Jun 25 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | May 7 – May 14 | Jun 18 – Jul 2 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | May 14 – Jun 11 | Jun 26 – Jul 10 |
| Beets | — | — | May 14 – Jun 11 | Jul 10 – Jul 24 |
| Potatoes | — | — | May 14 – Jun 4 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | May 21 – Jun 18 | Jul 10 – Jul 24 |
| Cilantro | — | — | May 21 – Jun 11 | Jul 24 – Aug 14 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Jun 11 – Jul 2 | — |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Jun 11 – Jun 25 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes Warning: Your frost-free season is about 106 days, which is tight for sweet potatoes (100+ days). Choose early varieties and use transplants or row covers. | — | Jun 18 – Jul 9 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 4 – Oct 9 |
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 Virginia City, MT weather station, about 1 km away (elevation 5,774 ft (1,760 m)).
Frost dates near Virginia City
- Alder frost any month
- Mc Allister Jun 16 · Sep 4
- Ennis Jun 16 · Sep 4
- Sheridan May 24 · Sep 22
- Cameron Jun 16 · Sep 4
- Norris Apr 30 · Oct 10
- Pony Apr 30 · Oct 10
- Twin Bridges Jun 8 · Sep 2
- Big Sky frost any month
- Harrison Apr 30 · Oct 10
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Virginia City, MT?
The median last spring frost in Virginia City, MT is June 4. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after June 23, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Virginia City, MT?
The median first fall frost is September 18, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 3.
How long is the growing season in Virginia City, MT?
About 106 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Virginia City, MT?
Virginia City, MT is in USDA hardiness zone 5a.