Dillon U Of Montana Western, MT Frost Dates & Growing Season

The two dates every Dillon U Of Montana Western garden is planned around, plus ready-computed planting windows for the most popular crops.

Last spring frost
Jun 5
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Sep 13
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
100 days
frost-free stretch
USDA zone
≈ 5b
estimated from nearby reference
Risky (1 year in 10)MedianSafe (9 years in 10)
Last spring frost May 18 Jun 5 Jun 23
First fall frost Sep 27 Sep 13 Aug 29
Hard freeze (28°F), median last May 16 · first Sep 25

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the DILLON U OF MONTANA WESTERN station. "Safe" means frost past that date happens only about one year in ten. Your exact garden can still run days either way with elevation and terrain — check your own ZIP with the frost date lookup.

Planting windows for Dillon U Of Montana Western

Computed from Dillon U Of Montana Western's own frost dates. Click any crop for the full zone-5 growing guide — varieties, spacing, fall plantings, and more.

CropStart seeds indoorsTransplantDirect sow
🍅 Tomatoes Apr 10 – Apr 24 Jun 12 – Jun 19
🫑 Peppers Mar 27 – Apr 10 Jun 19 – Jun 26
🥬 Lettuce Apr 24 – May 8 May 8 – May 22 May 8 – Jun 5
🫛 Peas Apr 24 – May 8
🥕 Carrots May 15 – Jun 5
🥦 Broccoli Apr 17 – May 1 May 15 – May 29
🥬 Kale Apr 24 – May 8 May 8 – May 22 May 8 – May 22
🥒 Cucumbers May 8 – May 15 Jun 12 – Jun 19 Jun 12 – Jun 19
🥒 Zucchini May 8 – May 15 Jun 12 – Jun 19 Jun 12 – Jun 19
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) Jun 12 – Jun 19
🌽 Sweet Corn Jun 12 – Jun 19
🌿 Basil Apr 24 – May 8 Jun 12 – Jun 19 Jun 19 – Jun 26
🧄 Garlic Fall: Aug 2 – Aug 30

Want this for all 50 crops, or as a printable seed-shelf schedule? Use the planting calendar and the seed starting scheduler — both can use Dillon U Of Montana Western's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in Dillon U Of Montana Western

At about 100 frost-free days, Dillon U Of Montana Western rewards efficiency: start warm-season crops indoors, favor short-season varieties, and lean on cold-tolerant crops — peas, kale, roots — that shrug off the shoulder-season frosts on either end.

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Dillon U Of Montana Western, MT?

The average last spring frost in Dillon U Of Montana Western is around Jun 5, based on 1991–2020 climate normals. That's a median — about half of years see a later frost, so tender crops are safest going out a week or two after this date.

When is the first frost in Dillon U Of Montana Western, MT?

The average first fall frost in Dillon U Of Montana Western arrives around Sep 13. Crops still in the garden need to mature before then, and frost-tender plants need harvesting or protection as the date approaches.

How long is the growing season in Dillon U Of Montana Western?

About 100 frost-free days on average, from Jun 5 to Sep 13. That favors short-season varieties and transplants for warm-season crops, with cool-season vegetables doing the heavy lifting in spring and fall.

What USDA zone is Dillon U Of Montana Western in?

USDA zone 5b on the 2023 Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Note that zones describe winter cold, not frost timing — these frost dates are the numbers to plan plantings around.