Frost Dates for Miles City, MT 59301
Last spring frost May 14 · First fall frost September 19 · 128 frost-free days · USDA Zone 4b
ZIP 59301 has about 11,600 people.
Moderate season: 128 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 30–May 28 (28 days). Fall frost risk spans September 5–October 2 (27 days).
Frost probability for 59301
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | May 28 | May 14 | April 30 |
| Fall (first frost) | September 5 | September 19 | October 2 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at MIZPAH 4 NNW (43.7 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 128-day season in Miles City
In Miles City (128 frost-free days, a moderate season), 37 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 16 get two plantings, 2 need an indoor start, 1 crop is perennial.
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant out / sow | Days you have | Verdict | Last sow date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Apr 9 | May 28–Jun 4 | 86 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 86 available after May 28. | — |
| Pepper | Apr 2 | May 28–Jun 4 | 86 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 86 available after May 28. | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 19 | Apr 16–Apr 23 | 163 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 16 and again by Jul 29; both mature before Sep 26. | Jul 29 |
| Carrots | — | Apr 23–Apr 30 | 170 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 170 available after Apr 23. | Jul 18 |
| Cucumber | Apr 23 | May 28–Jun 4 | 100 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 100 available after May 28. | Jun 23 |
| Beans | — | May 21–Jun 4 | 114 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 114 available after May 21. | Jun 30 |
| Peas | — | Mar 19–May 28 | 191 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 191 available after Mar 19. | Jul 9 |
| Zucchini | Apr 30 | May 28–Jun 4 | 100 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 100 available after May 28. | Jun 28 |
| Onion | Feb 19 | Apr 16–Apr 30 | 163 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 163 available after Apr 16. | — |
| Spinach | — | Mar 19–May 7 | 205 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 19 and again by Aug 17; both mature before Oct 10. | Aug 17 |
| Kale | Mar 5 | Apr 16–Apr 30 | 177 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 16 and again by Aug 2; both mature before Oct 10. | Aug 2 |
| Broccoli | Mar 19 | Apr 16–Apr 30 | 163 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 163 available after Apr 16. | Jun 24 |
| Cabbage | Mar 19 | Apr 16–Apr 30 | 177 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 177 available after Apr 16. | Jul 18 |
| Radish | — | Mar 19–Jun 11 | 191 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 19 and again by Aug 18; both mature before Sep 26. | Aug 18 |
| Beets | — | Mar 19–Jun 11 | 191 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 19 and again by Jul 19; both mature before Sep 26. | Jul 19 |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 30–May 7 | 149 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 149 available after Apr 30. | — |
| Garlic | — | Sep 19 | 233 | overwinter: Plant Sep 19 to Oct 10; harvest the following summer. | Oct 10 |
| Strawberry | — | Apr 9–Jun 4 | 184 | perennial: A perennial: plant Apr 9; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Apr 16 | May 21–May 28 | 100 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 100 available after May 21. | Jun 1 |
| Pumpkin | Apr 30 | May 28–May 28 | 93 | head-start: Even planted out May 28, the outdoor season is about 7 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Cauliflower | Apr 2 | May 7–May 21 | 142 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 142 available after May 7. | Jun 29 |
| Swiss Chard | Mar 19 | Apr 30–Apr 30 | 149 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 30 and again by Jul 19; both mature before Sep 26. | Jul 19 |
| Arugula | — | Mar 19–Jun 11 | 205 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 19 and again by Aug 17; both mature before Oct 10. | Aug 17 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Mar 19 | Apr 16–Apr 30 | 177 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 177 available after Apr 16. | Jun 18 |
| Butternut Squash | Apr 30 | May 28–Jun 4 | 93 | head-start: Even planted out May 28, the outdoor season is about 7 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Eggplant | Mar 26 | May 28–Jun 4 | 86 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 86 available after May 28. | May 30 |
| Okra | Apr 16 | May 21–May 28 | 107 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 107 available after May 21. | Jun 28 |
| Basil | Apr 9 | Jun 4–Jun 4 | 93 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 93 available after Jun 4. | Jun 23 |
| Cilantro | — | Apr 16–May 7 | 163 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 16 and again by Jul 24; both mature before Sep 26. | Jul 24 |
| Parsley | Mar 5 | May 21–May 28 | 128 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 128 available after May 21. | Jul 4 |
| Celery | Mar 5 | May 21–Jun 4 | 128 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 128 available after May 21. | — |
| Scallions | Mar 5 | Apr 16–Apr 30 | 177 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 16 and again by Jul 28; both mature before Oct 10. | Jul 28 |
| Turnip | — | Apr 16–Apr 30 | 177 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 16 and again by Aug 7; both mature before Oct 10. | Aug 7 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Apr 2–Apr 16 | 191 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 2 and again by Aug 2; both mature before Oct 10. | Aug 2 |
| Bok Choy | Apr 16 | May 7–May 14 | 142 | two-plantings: Plant May 7 and again by Jul 29; both mature before Sep 26. | Jul 29 |
| Collards | Mar 5 | Apr 16–Apr 30 | 177 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 16 and again by Jul 28; both mature before Oct 10. | Jul 28 |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 30 | May 28–Jun 4 | 86 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 86 available after May 28. | — |
| Chives | Feb 19 | May 21–May 28 | 142 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 142 available after May 21. | — |
| Dill | — | Mar 19–Jun 11 | 191 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 19 and again by Jul 19; both mature before Sep 26. | Jul 19 |
| Oregano | Mar 5 | May 21–May 28 | 142 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 142 available after May 21. | — |
| Rosemary | Feb 19 | May 21–May 28 | 128 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 128 available after May 21. | — |
| Sage | Mar 19 | May 21–May 28 | 142 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 142 available after May 21. | — |
| Thyme | Mar 5 | May 21–May 28 | 142 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 142 available after May 21. | — |
| Calendula | Apr 2 | Apr 30–May 14 | 149 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 30 and again by Jul 24; both mature before Sep 26. | Jul 24 |
| Cosmos | Apr 16 | May 14–May 28 | 114 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 114 available after May 14. | Jun 23 |
| Lavender | Feb 19 | May 14–May 28 | 149 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 149 available after May 14. | — |
| Marigolds | Apr 2 | May 14–May 21 | 114 | two-plantings: Plant May 14 and again by Jul 3; both mature before Sep 5. | Jul 3 |
| Melons | Apr 30 | May 28–Jun 4 | 86 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 86 available after May 28. | — |
| Mint | — | May 14–May 28 | 149 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 149 available after May 14. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Apr 16 | May 14–May 21 | 114 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 114 available after May 14. | Jun 28 |
| Pole Beans | — | May 21–Jun 4 | 107 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 107 available after May 21. | Jun 18 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Apr 30 | May 28–Jun 4 | 93 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 93 available after May 28. | — |
| Sunflowers | — | May 14–May 28 | 114 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 114 available after May 14. | Jun 13 |
| Tomatillos | Mar 19 | May 21–May 28 | 93 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 93 available after May 21. | May 25 |
| Watermelon | Apr 30 | May 21–May 28 | 93 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 93 available after May 21. | — |
| Yellow Squash | Apr 30 | May 28–Jun 4 | 100 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 100 available after May 28. | Jun 28 |
| Zinnias | Apr 16 | May 14–May 28 | 114 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 114 available after May 14. | Jun 23 |
Month by month in Miles City
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Plan your garden layout and order seeds. Research varieties suited to your frost dates. |
| February | Start indoors: Chives (Feb 19), Lavender (Feb 19), Onion (Feb 19), Rosemary (Feb 19). |
| March | Start indoors: Celery (Mar 5), Collards (Mar 5), Kale (Mar 5), Oregano (Mar 5), Parsley (Mar 5), Scallions (Mar 5), +9 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Mar 19), Beets (Mar 19), Dill (Mar 19), Peas (Mar 19), Radish (Mar 19), Spinach (Mar 19). |
| April | Start indoors: Calendula (Apr 2), Cauliflower (Apr 2), Marigolds (Apr 2), Pepper (Apr 2), Basil (Apr 9), Tomato (Apr 9), +15 more. Direct sow from: Kohlrabi (Apr 2), Cilantro (Apr 16), Turnip (Apr 16), Carrots (Apr 23), Potatoes (Apr 30). Transplant from: Broccoli (Apr 16), Brussel Sprouts (Apr 16), Cabbage (Apr 16), Collards (Apr 16), Kale (Apr 16), Lettuce (Apr 16), +4 more. Plant: Strawberry (Apr 9). |
| May | Direct sow from: Sunflowers (May 14), Beans (May 21), Pole Beans (May 21). Transplant from: Bok Choy (May 7), Cauliflower (May 7), Cosmos (May 14), Lavender (May 14), Marigolds (May 14), Mint (May 14), +24 more. Last frost around May 14. Last sowing dates: Tomatillos (May 25), Eggplant (May 30). |
| June | Transplant from: Basil (Jun 4). Last sowing dates: Corn (Jun 1), Sunflowers (Jun 13), Brussel Sprouts (Jun 18), Pole Beans (Jun 18), Basil (Jun 23), Cosmos (Jun 23), +9 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Marigolds (Jul 3), Parsley (Jul 4), Peas (Jul 9), Cabbage (Jul 18), Carrots (Jul 18), Beets (Jul 19), +8 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Kale (Aug 2), Kohlrabi (Aug 2), Turnip (Aug 7), Arugula (Aug 17), Spinach (Aug 17), Radish (Aug 18). |
| September | Direct sow from: Garlic (Sep 19). First frost around September 19. |
| October | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Oct 10). |
| 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 Miles City, MT (ZIP 59301)?
The median last spring frost date for Miles City, MT (ZIP code 59301) is around May 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 April 30; one in ten it runs past May 28.
What is the first fall frost date in Miles City, MT?
The median first fall frost date for Miles City, MT is around September 19. 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 5 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Miles City, MT?
The frost-free growing season in Miles City is about 128 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 Miles City (128 frost-free days, a moderate season), 37 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 16 get two plantings, 2 need an indoor start, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is Miles City, MT?
Miles City, MT is in USDA hardiness zone 4b (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 Miles City, MT?
Start tomatoes indoors Apr 9 and plant out May 28 in Miles City. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Miles City?
Two: plant Apr 16 and again by Jul 29; both mature before Sep 26.
When do I plant garlic in Miles City?
Sep 19 to Oct 10; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I grow Butternut Squash in Miles City?
Yes, with help. Even planted out May 28, the outdoor season is about 7 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Billings (ZIP 59101) has 142 frost-free days, 14 more than Miles City (ZIP 59301). See Billings ZIP 59101 frost dates
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