Frost Dates for Bozeman, MT 59715
Last spring frost June 4 · First fall frost September 13 · 101 frost-free days · USDA Zone 5a
ZIP 59715 has about 39,600 people, one of 2 ZIP codes in Bozeman.
Short season: 101 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans May 17–June 22 (36 days). Fall frost risk spans September 2–September 24 (22 days).
Frost probability for 59715
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | June 22 | June 4 | May 17 |
| Fall (first frost) | September 2 | September 13 | September 24 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at BOZEMAN 6 W EXP FARM (19.4 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 101-day season in Bozeman
In Bozeman (101 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 | Apr 30 | Jun 18–Jun 25 | 59 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 18, the outdoor season is about 21 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Pepper | Apr 23 | Jun 18–Jun 25 | 59 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 18, the outdoor season is about 16 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Lettuce | Apr 9 | May 7–May 14 | 136 | two-plantings: Plant May 7 and again by Jul 23; both mature before Sep 20. | Jul 23 |
| Carrots | — | May 14–May 21 | 143 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 143 available after May 14. | Jul 12 |
| Cucumber | May 14 | Jun 18–Jun 25 | 73 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 73 available after Jun 18. | — |
| Beans | — | Jun 11–Jun 25 | 87 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 87 available after Jun 11. | Jun 24 |
| Peas | — | Apr 9–Jun 18 | 164 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 164 available after Apr 9. | Jul 3 |
| Zucchini | May 21 | Jun 18–Jun 25 | 73 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 73 available after Jun 18. | Jun 22 |
| Onion | Mar 12 | May 7–May 21 | 136 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 136 available after May 7. | — |
| Spinach | — | Apr 9–May 28 | 178 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 9 and again by Aug 11; both mature before Oct 4. | Aug 11 |
| Kale | Mar 26 | May 7–May 21 | 150 | two-plantings: Plant May 7 and again by Jul 27; both mature before Oct 4. | Jul 27 |
| Broccoli | Apr 9 | May 7–May 21 | 136 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 136 available after May 7. | Jun 18 |
| Cabbage | Apr 9 | May 7–May 21 | 150 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 150 available after May 7. | Jul 12 |
| Radish | — | Apr 9–Jul 2 | 164 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 9 and again by Aug 12; both mature before Sep 20. | Aug 12 |
| Beets | — | Apr 9–Jul 2 | 164 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 9 and again by Jul 13; both mature before Sep 20. | Jul 13 |
| Potatoes | — | May 21–May 28 | 122 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 122 available after May 21. | — |
| Garlic | — | Sep 13 | 206 | overwinter: Plant Sep 13 to Oct 4; harvest the following summer. | Oct 4 |
| Strawberry | — | Apr 30–Jun 25 | 157 | perennial: A perennial: plant Apr 30; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | May 7 | Jun 11–Jun 18 | 73 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 11, the outdoor season is about 2 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Pumpkin | May 21 | Jun 18–Jun 18 | 66 | no-fit: Needs 100 days; Bozeman has 66 after Jun 18. | — |
| Cauliflower | Apr 23 | May 28–Jun 11 | 115 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 115 available after May 28. | Jun 23 |
| Swiss Chard | Apr 9 | May 21–May 21 | 122 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 122 available after May 21. | Jul 13 |
| Arugula | — | Apr 9–Jul 2 | 178 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 9 and again by Aug 11; both mature before Oct 4. | Aug 11 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Apr 9 | May 7–May 21 | 150 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 150 available after May 7. | Jun 12 |
| Butternut Squash | May 21 | Jun 18–Jun 25 | 66 | no-fit: Needs 100 days; Bozeman has 66 after Jun 18. | — |
| Eggplant | Apr 16 | Jun 18–Jun 25 | 59 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 18, the outdoor season is about 11 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Okra | May 7 | Jun 11–Jun 18 | 80 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 80 available after Jun 11. | Jun 22 |
| Basil | Apr 30 | Jun 25–Jun 25 | 66 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 66 available after Jun 25. | — |
| Cilantro | — | May 7–May 28 | 136 | two-plantings: Plant May 7 and again by Jul 18; both mature before Sep 20. | Jul 18 |
| Parsley | Mar 26 | Jun 11–Jun 18 | 101 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 101 available after Jun 11. | Jun 28 |
| Celery | Mar 26 | Jun 11–Jun 25 | 101 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 11, the outdoor season is about 19 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Scallions | Mar 26 | May 7–May 21 | 150 | two-plantings: Plant May 7 and again by Jul 22; both mature before Oct 4. | Jul 22 |
| Turnip | — | May 7–May 21 | 150 | two-plantings: Plant May 7 and again by Aug 1; both mature before Oct 4. | Aug 1 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Apr 23–May 7 | 164 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 23 and again by Jul 27; both mature before Oct 4. | Jul 27 |
| Bok Choy | May 7 | May 28–Jun 4 | 115 | two-plantings: Plant May 28 and again by Jul 23; both mature before Sep 20. | Jul 23 |
| Collards | Mar 26 | May 7–May 21 | 150 | two-plantings: Plant May 7 and again by Jul 22; both mature before Oct 4. | Jul 22 |
| Cantaloupe | May 21 | Jun 18–Jun 25 | 59 | no-fit: Needs 85 days; Bozeman has 59 after Jun 18. | — |
| Chives | Mar 12 | Jun 11–Jun 18 | 115 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 115 available after Jun 11. | — |
| Dill | — | Apr 9–Jul 2 | 164 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 9 and again by Jul 13; both mature before Sep 20. | Jul 13 |
| Oregano | Mar 26 | Jun 11–Jun 18 | 115 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 115 available after Jun 11. | — |
| Rosemary | Mar 12 | Jun 11–Jun 18 | 101 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 101 available after Jun 11. | — |
| Sage | Apr 9 | Jun 11–Jun 18 | 115 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 115 available after Jun 11. | — |
| Thyme | Mar 26 | Jun 11–Jun 18 | 115 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 115 available after Jun 11. | — |
| Calendula | Apr 23 | May 21–Jun 4 | 122 | two-plantings: Plant May 21 and again by Jul 18; both mature before Sep 20. | Jul 18 |
| Cosmos | May 7 | Jun 4–Jun 18 | 87 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 87 available after Jun 4. | Jun 17 |
| Lavender | Mar 12 | Jun 4–Jun 18 | 122 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 122 available after Jun 4. | — |
| Marigolds | Apr 23 | Jun 4–Jun 11 | 87 | fits: 50 days to maturity, 87 available after Jun 4. | Jun 27 |
| Melons | May 21 | Jun 18–Jun 25 | 59 | no-fit: Needs 85 days; Bozeman has 59 after Jun 18. | — |
| Mint | — | Jun 4–Jun 18 | 122 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 122 available after Jun 4. | — |
| Nasturtiums | May 7 | Jun 4–Jun 11 | 87 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 87 available after Jun 4. | Jun 22 |
| Pole Beans | — | Jun 11–Jun 25 | 80 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 80 available after Jun 11. | Jun 12 |
| Spaghetti Squash | May 21 | Jun 18–Jun 25 | 66 | no-fit: Needs 90 days; Bozeman has 66 after Jun 18. | — |
| Sunflowers | — | Jun 4–Jun 18 | 87 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 87 available after Jun 4. | Jun 7 |
| Tomatillos | Apr 9 | Jun 11–Jun 18 | 66 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 11, the outdoor season is about 9 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Watermelon | May 21 | Jun 11–Jun 18 | 66 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 11, the outdoor season is about 14 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Yellow Squash | May 21 | Jun 18–Jun 25 | 73 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 73 available after Jun 18. | Jun 22 |
| Zinnias | May 7 | Jun 4–Jun 18 | 87 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 87 available after Jun 4. | Jun 17 |
Month by month in Bozeman
| 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 12), Lavender (Mar 12), Onion (Mar 12), Rosemary (Mar 12), Celery (Mar 26), Collards (Mar 26), +5 more. |
| April | Start indoors: Broccoli (Apr 9), Brussel Sprouts (Apr 9), Cabbage (Apr 9), Lettuce (Apr 9), Sage (Apr 9), Swiss Chard (Apr 9), +8 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Apr 9), Beets (Apr 9), Dill (Apr 9), Peas (Apr 9), Radish (Apr 9), Spinach (Apr 9), +1 more. Plant: Strawberry (Apr 30). |
| May | Start indoors: Bok Choy (May 7), Corn (May 7), Cosmos (May 7), Nasturtiums (May 7), Okra (May 7), Zinnias (May 7), +9 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (May 7), Turnip (May 7), Carrots (May 14), Potatoes (May 21). Transplant from: Broccoli (May 7), Brussel Sprouts (May 7), Cabbage (May 7), Collards (May 7), Kale (May 7), Lettuce (May 7), +6 more. |
| June | Direct sow from: Sunflowers (Jun 4), Beans (Jun 11), Pole Beans (Jun 11). Transplant from: Cosmos (Jun 4), Lavender (Jun 4), Marigolds (Jun 4), Mint (Jun 4), Nasturtiums (Jun 4), Zinnias (Jun 4), +23 more. Last frost around June 4. Last sowing dates: Sunflowers (Jun 7), Brussel Sprouts (Jun 12), Pole Beans (Jun 12), Cosmos (Jun 17), Zinnias (Jun 17), Broccoli (Jun 18), +8 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Peas (Jul 3), Cabbage (Jul 12), Carrots (Jul 12), Beets (Jul 13), Dill (Jul 13), Swiss Chard (Jul 13), +8 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Turnip (Aug 1), Arugula (Aug 11), Spinach (Aug 11), Radish (Aug 12). |
| September | Direct sow from: Garlic (Sep 13). First frost around September 13. |
| October | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Oct 4). |
| 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 Bozeman, MT (ZIP 59715)?
The median last spring frost date for Bozeman, MT (ZIP code 59715) is around June 4. 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 17; one in ten it runs past June 22.
What is the first fall frost date in Bozeman, MT?
The median first fall frost date for Bozeman, MT is around September 13. 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 2 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Bozeman, MT?
The frost-free growing season in Bozeman is about 101 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 Bozeman (101 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 Bozeman, MT?
Bozeman, 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 Bozeman, MT?
Start tomatoes indoors Apr 30 and plant out Jun 18 in Bozeman. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Bozeman?
Two: plant May 7 and again by Jul 23; both mature before Sep 20.
When do I plant garlic in Bozeman?
Sep 13 to Oct 4; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I grow Celery in Bozeman?
Yes, with help. Even planted out Jun 11, the outdoor season is about 19 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Livingston (ZIP 59047) has 113 frost-free days, 12 more than Bozeman (ZIP 59715). See Livingston ZIP 59047 frost dates
Nearby and related
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- When to plant in MT
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