Frost dates for 59715 — Bozeman, MT
Last spring frostMay 26median date
First fall frostSep 22median date
Growing season119 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone5aZone 5a
How Bozeman compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Bozeman falls between May 9 and June 14, a 36-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 5 and October 5.
- The median last frost is 7 days later than the Montana median of May 19.
- Its 119-day growing season is longer than 33% of the 325 Montana places with a regular frost season (state median 125 days).
- The last frost is 23 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 178 nights a year at or below 32°F.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | May 9 |
| 50% (median) | May 26 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | June 14 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 5 |
| 50% (median) | September 22 |
| 90% (late) | October 5 |
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 Bozeman, MT
Frost dates for 59715 — Bozeman, MT — last frost May 26, first frost Sep 22, zone 5a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Mar 3 to Mar 17Transplant outside: Apr 28 to May 12
Start indoors: Mar 17 to Mar 31Transplant outside: Jun 9 to Jun 23
Start indoors: Mar 17 to Mar 31Transplant outside: Jun 9 to Jun 23
Start indoors: Mar 31 to Apr 14Transplant outside: Jun 2 to Jun 16
Start indoors: Mar 31 to Apr 14Transplant outside: May 5 to May 19Sow outdoors: Apr 28 to Jun 2Plant for fall: Jul 28 to Aug 25
Start indoors: Mar 31 to Apr 14Transplant outside: Apr 28 to May 12Sow outdoors: Apr 28 to May 12Plant for fall: Jul 14 to Aug 4
Start indoors: Mar 31 to Apr 14Transplant outside: May 12 to May 26Plant for fall: Jun 16 to Jul 7
Start indoors: Mar 31 to Apr 14Transplant outside: May 5 to May 19Plant for fall: Jun 16 to Jul 7
Start indoors: Mar 31 to Apr 14Transplant outside: May 12 to May 26Plant for fall: Jun 16 to Jul 7
Start indoors: Apr 14 to Apr 28Transplant outside: Jun 16 to Jun 30Sow outdoors: Jun 16 to Jun 30
Start indoors: Apr 14 to Apr 28Transplant outside: Jun 2 to Jun 16
Sow outdoors: Apr 14 to May 5Plant for fall: Jun 30 to Jul 21
Sow outdoors: Apr 14 to May 5Plant for fall: Jul 28 to Aug 18
Sow outdoors: Apr 21 to Jun 2Plant for fall: Aug 11 to Sep 1
Start indoors: Apr 28 to May 5Transplant outside: Jun 9 to Jun 16Sow outdoors: Jun 2 to Jun 16Plant for fall: Jul 7 to Jul 21
Start indoors: Apr 28 to May 5Sow outdoors: Jun 2 to Jun 16Plant for fall: Jul 14 to Jul 28
Start indoors: Apr 28 to May 5Sow outdoors: Jun 2 to Jun 16
Start indoors: Apr 28 to May 5Transplant outside: Jun 9 to Jun 23
Sow outdoors: May 5 to Jun 2Plant for fall: Jun 30 to Jul 14
Sow outdoors: May 5 to Jun 2Plant for fall: Jul 14 to Jul 28
Sow outdoors: May 5 to May 26
Sow outdoors: May 12 to Jun 9Plant for fall: Jul 14 to Jul 28
Sow outdoors: May 12 to Jun 2Plant for fall: Jul 28 to Aug 18
Sow outdoors: Jun 2 to Jun 23
Sow outdoors: Jun 2 to Jun 16
Transplant outside: Jun 9 to Jun 30
Plant for fall: Sep 8 to Oct 13
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Bozeman, MT
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | Apr 28 – May 12 | — | — |
| Peppers | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | Jun 9 – Jun 23 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | Jun 9 – Jun 23 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | Jun 2 – Jun 16 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | May 5 – May 19 | Apr 28 – Jun 2 | Jul 28 – Aug 25 |
| Kale | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | Apr 28 – May 12 | Apr 28 – May 12 | Jul 14 – Aug 4 |
| Broccoli | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | May 12 – May 26 | — | Jun 16 – Jul 7 |
| Cabbage | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | May 5 – May 19 | — | Jun 16 – Jul 7 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | May 12 – May 26 | — | Jun 16 – Jul 7 |
| Okra | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | Jun 16 – Jun 30 | Jun 16 – Jun 30 | — |
| Basil | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | Jun 2 – Jun 16 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Apr 14 – May 5 | Jun 30 – Jul 21 |
| Spinach | — | — | Apr 14 – May 5 | Jul 28 – Aug 18 |
| Radishes | — | — | Apr 21 – Jun 2 | Aug 11 – Sep 1 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 28 – May 5 | Jun 9 – Jun 16 | Jun 2 – Jun 16 | Jul 7 – Jul 21 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 28 – May 5 | — | Jun 2 – Jun 16 | Jul 14 – Jul 28 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 28 – May 5 | — | Jun 2 – Jun 16 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 28 – May 5 | Jun 9 – Jun 23 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | May 5 – Jun 2 | Jun 30 – Jul 14 |
| Beets | — | — | May 5 – Jun 2 | Jul 14 – Jul 28 |
| Potatoes | — | — | May 5 – May 26 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | May 12 – Jun 9 | Jul 14 – Jul 28 |
| Cilantro | — | — | May 12 – Jun 2 | Jul 28 – Aug 18 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Jun 2 – Jun 23 | — |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Jun 2 – Jun 16 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Jun 9 – Jun 30 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 8 – Oct 13 |
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 Bozeman Montana State Univ, MT weather station, about 1 km away (elevation 4,915 ft (1,498 m)).
ZIP codes in Bozeman: 59715 59717 59718 59719 59771 59772
Frost dates near Bozeman
- Belgrade May 26 · Sep 16
- Manhattan May 26 · Sep 15
- Clyde Park Jun 4 · Sep 6
- Livingston May 27 · Sep 14
- Gallatin Gateway frost any month
- Pray May 19 · Sep 25
- Three Forks May 9 · Sep 27
- Wilsall Jun 4 · Sep 6
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Bozeman, MT?
The median last spring frost in Bozeman, MT is May 26. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after June 14, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Bozeman, MT?
The median first fall frost is September 22, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 5.
How long is the growing season in Bozeman, MT?
About 119 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Bozeman, MT?
Bozeman, MT is in USDA hardiness zone 5a.