Frost Dates for Butte, MT 59701
Last spring frost June 14 · First fall frost September 5 · 83 frost-free days · USDA Zone 5a
ZIP 59701 has about 34,200 people, the largest of 2 ZIP codes in Butte.
Short season: 83 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans May 25–July 6 (42 days). Fall frost risk spans August 21–September 20 (30 days).
Frost probability for 59701
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | July 6 | June 14 | May 25 |
| Fall (first frost) | August 21 | September 5 | September 20 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at DIVIDE (38.9 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Frost dates by ZIP code in Butte, MT
| ZIP | Last spring frost (50%) | First fall frost (50%) | Zone |
|---|---|---|---|
| 59701 | June 14 | September 5 | 5a |
| 59750 | June 14 | September 5 | 5a |
Which crops fit a 83-day season in Butte
In Butte (83 frost-free days, a short season), 29 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 10 get two plantings, 3 need an indoor start, 2 need a faster variety, 11 don't reliably mature, 1 crop is perennial.
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant out / sow | Days you have | Verdict | Last sow date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | May 10 | Jun 28–Jul 5 | 41 | no-fit: Needs 80 days; Butte has 41 after Jun 28. | — |
| Pepper | May 3 | Jun 28–Jul 5 | 41 | no-fit: Needs 75 days; Butte has 41 after Jun 28. | — |
| Lettuce | Apr 19 | May 17–May 24 | 118 | two-plantings: Plant May 17 and again by Jul 15; both mature before Sep 12. | Jul 15 |
| Carrots | — | May 24–May 31 | 125 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 125 available after May 24. | Jul 4 |
| Cucumber | May 24 | Jun 28–Jul 5 | 55 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 28, the outdoor season is about 5 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Beans | — | Jun 21–Jul 5 | 69 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 69 available after Jun 21. | — |
| Peas | — | Apr 19–Jun 28 | 146 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 146 available after Apr 19. | Jun 25 |
| Zucchini | May 31 | Jun 28–Jul 5 | 55 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 55 available after Jun 28. | — |
| Onion | Mar 22 | May 17–May 31 | 118 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 118 available after May 17. | — |
| Spinach | — | Apr 19–Jun 7 | 160 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 19 and again by Aug 3; both mature before Sep 26. | Aug 3 |
| Kale | Apr 5 | May 17–May 31 | 132 | two-plantings: Plant May 17 and again by Jul 19; both mature before Sep 26. | Jul 19 |
| Broccoli | Apr 19 | May 17–May 31 | 118 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 118 available after May 17. | Jun 10 |
| Cabbage | Apr 19 | May 17–May 31 | 132 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 132 available after May 17. | Jul 4 |
| Radish | — | Apr 19–Jul 12 | 146 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 19 and again by Aug 4; both mature before Sep 12. | Aug 4 |
| Beets | — | Apr 19–Jul 12 | 146 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 19 and again by Jul 5; both mature before Sep 12. | Jul 5 |
| Potatoes | — | May 31–Jun 7 | 104 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 104 available after May 31. | — |
| Garlic | — | Sep 5 | 188 | overwinter: Plant Sep 5 to Sep 26; harvest the following summer. | Sep 26 |
| Strawberry | — | May 10–Jul 5 | 139 | perennial: A perennial: plant May 10; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | May 17 | Jun 21–Jun 28 | 55 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 21, the outdoor season is about 20 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Pumpkin | May 31 | Jun 28–Jun 28 | 48 | no-fit: Needs 100 days; Butte has 48 after Jun 28. | — |
| Cauliflower | May 3 | Jun 7–Jun 21 | 97 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 97 available after Jun 7. | Jun 15 |
| Swiss Chard | Apr 19 | May 31–May 31 | 104 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 104 available after May 31. | Jul 5 |
| Arugula | — | Apr 19–Jul 12 | 160 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 19 and again by Aug 3; both mature before Sep 26. | Aug 3 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Apr 19 | May 17–May 31 | 132 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 132 available after May 17. | Jun 4 |
| Butternut Squash | May 31 | Jun 28–Jul 5 | 48 | no-fit: Needs 100 days; Butte has 48 after Jun 28. | — |
| Eggplant | Apr 26 | Jun 28–Jul 5 | 41 | no-fit: Needs 70 days; Butte has 41 after Jun 28. | — |
| Okra | May 17 | Jun 21–Jun 28 | 62 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 62 available after Jun 21. | — |
| Basil | May 10 | Jul 5–Jul 5 | 48 | head-start: Even planted out Jul 5, the outdoor season is about 12 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Cilantro | — | May 17–Jun 7 | 118 | two-plantings: Plant May 17 and again by Jul 10; both mature before Sep 12. | Jul 10 |
| Parsley | Apr 5 | Jun 21–Jun 28 | 83 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 83 available after Jun 21. | — |
| Celery | Apr 5 | Jun 21–Jul 5 | 83 | no-fit: Needs 120 days; Butte has 83 after Jun 21. | — |
| Scallions | Apr 5 | May 17–May 31 | 132 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 132 available after May 17. | Jul 14 |
| Turnip | — | May 17–May 31 | 132 | two-plantings: Plant May 17 and again by Jul 24; both mature before Sep 26. | Jul 24 |
| Kohlrabi | — | May 3–May 17 | 146 | two-plantings: Plant May 3 and again by Jul 19; both mature before Sep 26. | Jul 19 |
| Bok Choy | May 17 | Jun 7–Jun 14 | 97 | fits: 45 days to maturity, 97 available after Jun 7. | Jul 15 |
| Collards | Apr 5 | May 17–May 31 | 132 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 132 available after May 17. | Jul 14 |
| Cantaloupe | May 31 | Jun 28–Jul 5 | 41 | no-fit: Needs 85 days; Butte has 41 after Jun 28. | — |
| Chives | Mar 22 | Jun 21–Jun 28 | 97 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 97 available after Jun 21. | — |
| Dill | — | Apr 19–Jul 12 | 146 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 19 and again by Jul 5; both mature before Sep 12. | Jul 5 |
| Oregano | Apr 5 | Jun 21–Jun 28 | 97 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 97 available after Jun 21. | — |
| Rosemary | Mar 22 | Jun 21–Jun 28 | 83 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 83 available after Jun 21. | — |
| Sage | Apr 19 | Jun 21–Jun 28 | 97 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 97 available after Jun 21. | — |
| Thyme | Apr 5 | Jun 21–Jun 28 | 97 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 97 available after Jun 21. | — |
| Calendula | May 3 | May 31–Jun 14 | 104 | fits: 50 days to maturity, 104 available after May 31. | Jul 10 |
| Cosmos | May 17 | Jun 14–Jun 28 | 69 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 69 available after Jun 14. | — |
| Lavender | Mar 22 | Jun 14–Jun 28 | 104 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 104 available after Jun 14. | — |
| Marigolds | May 3 | Jun 14–Jun 21 | 69 | fits: 50 days to maturity, 69 available after Jun 14. | Jun 19 |
| Melons | May 31 | Jun 28–Jul 5 | 41 | no-fit: Needs 85 days; Butte has 41 after Jun 28. | — |
| Mint | — | Jun 14–Jun 28 | 104 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 104 available after Jun 14. | — |
| Nasturtiums | May 17 | Jun 14–Jun 21 | 69 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 69 available after Jun 14. | — |
| Pole Beans | — | Jun 21–Jul 5 | 62 | tight: Direct-sow only; pick a variety under 62 days. | — |
| Spaghetti Squash | May 31 | Jun 28–Jul 5 | 48 | no-fit: Needs 90 days; Butte has 48 after Jun 28. | — |
| Sunflowers | — | Jun 14–Jun 28 | 69 | tight: Direct-sow only; pick a variety under 69 days. | — |
| Tomatillos | Apr 19 | Jun 21–Jun 28 | 48 | no-fit: Needs 75 days; Butte has 48 after Jun 21. | — |
| Watermelon | May 31 | Jun 21–Jun 28 | 48 | no-fit: Needs 80 days; Butte has 48 after Jun 21. | — |
| Yellow Squash | May 31 | Jun 28–Jul 5 | 55 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 55 available after Jun 28. | — |
| Zinnias | May 17 | Jun 14–Jun 28 | 69 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 69 available after Jun 14. | — |
Month by month in Butte
| 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 22), Lavender (Mar 22), Onion (Mar 22), Rosemary (Mar 22). |
| April | Start indoors: Celery (Apr 5), Collards (Apr 5), Kale (Apr 5), Oregano (Apr 5), Parsley (Apr 5), Scallions (Apr 5), +9 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Apr 19), Beets (Apr 19), Dill (Apr 19), Peas (Apr 19), Radish (Apr 19), Spinach (Apr 19). |
| May | Start indoors: Calendula (May 3), Cauliflower (May 3), Marigolds (May 3), Pepper (May 3), Basil (May 10), Tomato (May 10), +15 more. Direct sow from: Kohlrabi (May 3), Cilantro (May 17), Turnip (May 17), Carrots (May 24), Potatoes (May 31). Transplant from: Broccoli (May 17), Brussel Sprouts (May 17), Cabbage (May 17), Collards (May 17), Kale (May 17), Lettuce (May 17), +4 more. Plant: Strawberry (May 10). |
| June | Direct sow from: Sunflowers (Jun 14), Beans (Jun 21), Pole Beans (Jun 21). Transplant from: Bok Choy (Jun 7), Cauliflower (Jun 7), Cosmos (Jun 14), Lavender (Jun 14), Marigolds (Jun 14), Mint (Jun 14), +24 more. Last frost around June 14. Last sowing dates: Brussel Sprouts (Jun 4), Broccoli (Jun 10), Cauliflower (Jun 15), Marigolds (Jun 19), Peas (Jun 25). |
| July | Transplant from: Basil (Jul 5). Last sowing dates: Cabbage (Jul 4), Carrots (Jul 4), Beets (Jul 5), Dill (Jul 5), Swiss Chard (Jul 5), Calendula (Jul 10), +8 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Arugula (Aug 3), Spinach (Aug 3), Radish (Aug 4). |
| September | Direct sow from: Garlic (Sep 5). First frost around September 5. Last sowing dates: Garlic (Sep 26). |
| October | Harvest remaining cold-hardy crops: kale, carrots, and beets. Plant garlic bulbs for next year. |
| 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 Butte, MT (ZIP 59701)?
The median last spring frost date for Butte, MT (ZIP code 59701) is around June 14. 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 25; one in ten it runs past July 6.
What is the first fall frost date in Butte, MT?
The median first fall frost date for Butte, MT is around September 5. 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 August 21 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Butte, MT?
The frost-free growing season in Butte is about 83 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 Butte (83 frost-free days, a short season), 29 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 10 get two plantings, 3 need an indoor start, 2 need a faster variety, 11 don't reliably mature, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is Butte, MT?
Butte, 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 Butte, MT?
Start tomatoes indoors May 10 and plant out Jun 28 in Butte. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Butte?
Two: plant May 17 and again by Jul 15; both mature before Sep 12.
When do I plant garlic in Butte?
Sep 5 to Sep 26; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I grow Celery in Butte?
Not reliably outdoors. Needs 120 days; Butte has 83 after Jun 21.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Helena (ZIP 59601) has 98 frost-free days, 15 more than Butte (ZIP 59701). See Helena ZIP 59601 frost dates
Nearby and related
- Frost dates for Helena, MT 59601 (37.6 mi)
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- Frost dates for Bozeman, MT 59715 (78.1 mi)
- Frost dates for Hamilton, MT 59840 (79.9 mi)
- When to plant in MT
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