Frost Dates for Absarokee, MT 59001
Last spring frost June 5 · First fall frost September 15 · 102 frost-free days · USDA Zone 5a
ZIP 59001 has about 1,410 people.
Short season: 102 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans May 19–June 22 (34 days). Fall frost risk spans September 3–September 27 (24 days).
Frost probability for 59001
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | June 22 | June 5 | May 19 |
| Fall (first frost) | September 3 | September 15 | September 27 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at MYSTIC LAKE (35.1 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 102-day season in Absarokee
In Absarokee (102 frost-free days, a short season), 29 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 14 get two plantings, 7 need an indoor start, 5 don't reliably mature, 1 crop is perennial.
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant out / sow | Days you have | Verdict | Last sow date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | May 1 | Jun 19–Jun 26 | 60 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 19, the outdoor season is about 20 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Pepper | Apr 24 | Jun 19–Jun 26 | 60 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 19, the outdoor season is about 15 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Lettuce | Apr 10 | May 8–May 15 | 137 | two-plantings: Plant May 8 and again by Jul 25; both mature before Sep 22. | Jul 25 |
| Carrots | — | May 15–May 22 | 144 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 144 available after May 15. | Jul 14 |
| Cucumber | May 15 | Jun 19–Jun 26 | 74 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 74 available after Jun 19. | — |
| Beans | — | Jun 12–Jun 26 | 88 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 88 available after Jun 12. | Jun 26 |
| Peas | — | Apr 10–Jun 19 | 165 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 165 available after Apr 10. | Jul 5 |
| Zucchini | May 22 | Jun 19–Jun 26 | 74 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 74 available after Jun 19. | Jun 24 |
| Onion | Mar 13 | May 8–May 22 | 137 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 137 available after May 8. | — |
| Spinach | — | Apr 10–May 29 | 179 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 10 and again by Aug 13; both mature before Oct 6. | Aug 13 |
| Kale | Mar 27 | May 8–May 22 | 151 | two-plantings: Plant May 8 and again by Jul 29; both mature before Oct 6. | Jul 29 |
| Broccoli | Apr 10 | May 8–May 22 | 137 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 137 available after May 8. | Jun 20 |
| Cabbage | Apr 10 | May 8–May 22 | 151 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 151 available after May 8. | Jul 14 |
| Radish | — | Apr 10–Jul 3 | 165 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 10 and again by Aug 14; both mature before Sep 22. | Aug 14 |
| Beets | — | Apr 10–Jul 3 | 165 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 10 and again by Jul 15; both mature before Sep 22. | Jul 15 |
| Potatoes | — | May 22–May 29 | 123 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 123 available after May 22. | — |
| Garlic | — | Sep 15 | 207 | overwinter: Plant Sep 15 to Oct 6; harvest the following summer. | Oct 6 |
| Strawberry | — | May 1–Jun 26 | 158 | perennial: A perennial: plant May 1; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | May 8 | Jun 12–Jun 19 | 74 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 12, the outdoor season is about 1 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Pumpkin | May 22 | Jun 19–Jun 19 | 67 | no-fit: Needs 100 days; Absarokee has 67 after Jun 19. | — |
| Cauliflower | Apr 24 | May 29–Jun 12 | 116 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 116 available after May 29. | Jun 25 |
| Swiss Chard | Apr 10 | May 22–May 22 | 123 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 123 available after May 22. | Jul 15 |
| Arugula | — | Apr 10–Jul 3 | 179 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 10 and again by Aug 13; both mature before Oct 6. | Aug 13 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Apr 10 | May 8–May 22 | 151 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 151 available after May 8. | Jun 14 |
| Butternut Squash | May 22 | Jun 19–Jun 26 | 67 | no-fit: Needs 100 days; Absarokee has 67 after Jun 19. | — |
| Eggplant | Apr 17 | Jun 19–Jun 26 | 60 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 19, the outdoor season is about 10 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Okra | May 8 | Jun 12–Jun 19 | 81 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 81 available after Jun 12. | Jun 24 |
| Basil | May 1 | Jun 26–Jun 26 | 67 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 67 available after Jun 26. | — |
| Cilantro | — | May 8–May 29 | 137 | two-plantings: Plant May 8 and again by Jul 20; both mature before Sep 22. | Jul 20 |
| Parsley | Mar 27 | Jun 12–Jun 19 | 102 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 102 available after Jun 12. | Jun 30 |
| Celery | Mar 27 | Jun 12–Jun 26 | 102 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 12, the outdoor season is about 18 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Scallions | Mar 27 | May 8–May 22 | 151 | two-plantings: Plant May 8 and again by Jul 24; both mature before Oct 6. | Jul 24 |
| Turnip | — | May 8–May 22 | 151 | two-plantings: Plant May 8 and again by Aug 3; both mature before Oct 6. | Aug 3 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Apr 24–May 8 | 165 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 24 and again by Jul 29; both mature before Oct 6. | Jul 29 |
| Bok Choy | May 8 | May 29–Jun 5 | 116 | two-plantings: Plant May 29 and again by Jul 25; both mature before Sep 22. | Jul 25 |
| Collards | Mar 27 | May 8–May 22 | 151 | two-plantings: Plant May 8 and again by Jul 24; both mature before Oct 6. | Jul 24 |
| Cantaloupe | May 22 | Jun 19–Jun 26 | 60 | no-fit: Needs 85 days; Absarokee has 60 after Jun 19. | — |
| Chives | Mar 13 | Jun 12–Jun 19 | 116 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 116 available after Jun 12. | — |
| Dill | — | Apr 10–Jul 3 | 165 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 10 and again by Jul 15; both mature before Sep 22. | Jul 15 |
| Oregano | Mar 27 | Jun 12–Jun 19 | 116 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 116 available after Jun 12. | — |
| Rosemary | Mar 13 | Jun 12–Jun 19 | 102 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 102 available after Jun 12. | — |
| Sage | Apr 10 | Jun 12–Jun 19 | 116 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 116 available after Jun 12. | — |
| Thyme | Mar 27 | Jun 12–Jun 19 | 116 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 116 available after Jun 12. | — |
| Calendula | Apr 24 | May 22–Jun 5 | 123 | two-plantings: Plant May 22 and again by Jul 20; both mature before Sep 22. | Jul 20 |
| Cosmos | May 8 | Jun 5–Jun 19 | 88 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 88 available after Jun 5. | Jun 19 |
| Lavender | Mar 13 | Jun 5–Jun 19 | 123 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 123 available after Jun 5. | — |
| Marigolds | Apr 24 | Jun 5–Jun 12 | 88 | fits: 50 days to maturity, 88 available after Jun 5. | Jun 29 |
| Melons | May 22 | Jun 19–Jun 26 | 60 | no-fit: Needs 85 days; Absarokee has 60 after Jun 19. | — |
| Mint | — | Jun 5–Jun 19 | 123 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 123 available after Jun 5. | — |
| Nasturtiums | May 8 | Jun 5–Jun 12 | 88 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 88 available after Jun 5. | Jun 24 |
| Pole Beans | — | Jun 12–Jun 26 | 81 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 81 available after Jun 12. | Jun 14 |
| Spaghetti Squash | May 22 | Jun 19–Jun 26 | 67 | no-fit: Needs 90 days; Absarokee has 67 after Jun 19. | — |
| Sunflowers | — | Jun 5–Jun 19 | 88 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 88 available after Jun 5. | Jun 9 |
| Tomatillos | Apr 10 | Jun 12–Jun 19 | 67 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 12, the outdoor season is about 8 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Watermelon | May 22 | Jun 12–Jun 19 | 67 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 12, the outdoor season is about 13 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Yellow Squash | May 22 | Jun 19–Jun 26 | 74 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 74 available after Jun 19. | Jun 24 |
| Zinnias | May 8 | Jun 5–Jun 19 | 88 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 88 available after Jun 5. | Jun 19 |
Month by month in Absarokee
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Plan your garden layout and order seeds. Research varieties suited to your frost dates. |
| February | Start the slowest-growing crops indoors: onions, leeks, and celery (10–12 weeks before last frost). |
| March | Start indoors: Chives (Mar 13), Lavender (Mar 13), Onion (Mar 13), Rosemary (Mar 13), Celery (Mar 27), Collards (Mar 27), +5 more. |
| April | Start indoors: Broccoli (Apr 10), Brussel Sprouts (Apr 10), Cabbage (Apr 10), Lettuce (Apr 10), Sage (Apr 10), Swiss Chard (Apr 10), +6 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Apr 10), Beets (Apr 10), Dill (Apr 10), Peas (Apr 10), Radish (Apr 10), Spinach (Apr 10), +1 more. |
| May | Start indoors: Basil (May 1), Tomato (May 1), Bok Choy (May 8), Corn (May 8), Cosmos (May 8), Nasturtiums (May 8), +11 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (May 8), Turnip (May 8), Carrots (May 15), Potatoes (May 22). Transplant from: Broccoli (May 8), Brussel Sprouts (May 8), Cabbage (May 8), Collards (May 8), Kale (May 8), Lettuce (May 8), +6 more. Plant: Strawberry (May 1). |
| June | Direct sow from: Sunflowers (Jun 5), Beans (Jun 12), Pole Beans (Jun 12). Transplant from: Cosmos (Jun 5), Lavender (Jun 5), Marigolds (Jun 5), Mint (Jun 5), Nasturtiums (Jun 5), Zinnias (Jun 5), +23 more. Last frost around June 5. Last sowing dates: Sunflowers (Jun 9), Brussel Sprouts (Jun 14), Pole Beans (Jun 14), Cosmos (Jun 19), Zinnias (Jun 19), Broccoli (Jun 20), +8 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Peas (Jul 5), Cabbage (Jul 14), Carrots (Jul 14), Beets (Jul 15), Dill (Jul 15), Swiss Chard (Jul 15), +8 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Turnip (Aug 3), Arugula (Aug 13), Spinach (Aug 13), Radish (Aug 14). |
| September | Direct sow from: Garlic (Sep 15). First frost around September 15. |
| October | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Oct 6). |
| November | Clean up spent plants. Add compost to beds. Rest, review, and plan next year's garden. |
| December | Clean up spent plants. Add compost to beds. Rest, review, and plan next year's garden. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last frost date for Absarokee, MT (ZIP 59001)?
The median last spring frost date for Absarokee, MT (ZIP code 59001) is around June 5. This is the 50th-percentile date — meaning half of all years see frost end before this date. Use the 10% and 90% dates to understand the full range of risk in your area. One year in ten frost ends before May 19; one in ten it runs past June 22.
What is the first fall frost date in Absarokee, MT?
The median first fall frost date for Absarokee, MT is around September 15. Plan to harvest or protect frost-sensitive crops like tomatoes and peppers at least a week before this date to avoid losses. The first frost arrives around September 3 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Absarokee, MT?
The frost-free growing season in Absarokee is about 102 days. This window — from your last spring frost to your first fall frost — is when warm-season vegetables thrive. Cold-hardy crops like kale, spinach, and peas can extend your season by weeks on either side. In Absarokee (102 frost-free days, a short season), 29 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 14 get two plantings, 7 need an indoor start, 5 don't reliably mature, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is Absarokee, MT?
Absarokee, MT is in USDA hardiness zone 5a (2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map). Zones come from the average coldest winter temperature, so they tell you which perennials survive the winter; the frost dates on this page tell you when to plant.
When should I start tomatoes indoors in Absarokee, MT?
Start tomatoes indoors May 1 and plant out Jun 19 in Absarokee. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Absarokee?
Two: plant May 8 and again by Jul 25; both mature before Sep 22.
When do I plant garlic in Absarokee?
Sep 15 to Oct 6; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I grow Celery in Absarokee?
Yes, with help. Even planted out Jun 12, the outdoor season is about 18 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Laurel (ZIP 59044) has 142 frost-free days, 40 more than Absarokee (ZIP 59001). See Laurel ZIP 59044 frost dates
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