Frost Dates for Whitefish, MT 59937
Last spring frost June 4 · First fall frost September 11 · 99 frost-free days · USDA Zone 5a
ZIP 59937 has about 15,100 people.
Short season: 99 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans May 9–June 30 (52 days). Fall frost risk spans August 28–September 25 (28 days).
Frost probability for 59937
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | June 30 | June 4 | May 9 |
| Fall (first frost) | August 28 | September 11 | September 25 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at KALISPELL GLACIER AP (22.8 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 99-day season in Whitefish
In Whitefish (99 frost-free days, a short season), 29 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 14 get two plantings, 6 need an indoor start, 6 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 | 57 | no-fit: Needs 80 days; Whitefish has 57 after Jun 18. | — |
| Pepper | Apr 23 | Jun 18–Jun 25 | 57 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 18, the outdoor season is about 18 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Lettuce | Apr 9 | May 7–May 14 | 134 | two-plantings: Plant May 7 and again by Jul 21; both mature before Sep 18. | Jul 21 |
| Carrots | — | May 14–May 21 | 141 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 141 available after May 14. | Jul 10 |
| Cucumber | May 14 | Jun 18–Jun 25 | 71 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 71 available after Jun 18. | — |
| Beans | — | Jun 11–Jun 25 | 85 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 85 available after Jun 11. | Jun 22 |
| Peas | — | Apr 9–Jun 18 | 162 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 162 available after Apr 9. | Jul 1 |
| Zucchini | May 21 | Jun 18–Jun 25 | 71 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 71 available after Jun 18. | Jun 20 |
| Onion | Mar 12 | May 7–May 21 | 134 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 134 available after May 7. | — |
| Spinach | — | Apr 9–May 28 | 176 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 9 and again by Aug 9; both mature before Oct 2. | Aug 9 |
| Kale | Mar 26 | May 7–May 21 | 148 | two-plantings: Plant May 7 and again by Jul 25; both mature before Oct 2. | Jul 25 |
| Broccoli | Apr 9 | May 7–May 21 | 134 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 134 available after May 7. | Jun 16 |
| Cabbage | Apr 9 | May 7–May 21 | 148 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 148 available after May 7. | Jul 10 |
| Radish | — | Apr 9–Jul 2 | 162 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 9 and again by Aug 10; both mature before Sep 18. | Aug 10 |
| Beets | — | Apr 9–Jul 2 | 162 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 9 and again by Jul 11; both mature before Sep 18. | Jul 11 |
| Potatoes | — | May 21–May 28 | 120 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 120 available after May 21. | — |
| Garlic | — | Sep 11 | 204 | overwinter: Plant Sep 11 to Oct 2; harvest the following summer. | Oct 2 |
| Strawberry | — | Apr 30–Jun 25 | 155 | 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 | 71 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 11, the outdoor season is about 4 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Pumpkin | May 21 | Jun 18–Jun 18 | 64 | no-fit: Needs 100 days; Whitefish has 64 after Jun 18. | — |
| Cauliflower | Apr 23 | May 28–Jun 11 | 113 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 113 available after May 28. | Jun 21 |
| Swiss Chard | Apr 9 | May 21–May 21 | 120 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 120 available after May 21. | Jul 11 |
| Arugula | — | Apr 9–Jul 2 | 176 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 9 and again by Aug 9; both mature before Oct 2. | Aug 9 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Apr 9 | May 7–May 21 | 148 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 148 available after May 7. | Jun 10 |
| Butternut Squash | May 21 | Jun 18–Jun 25 | 64 | no-fit: Needs 100 days; Whitefish has 64 after Jun 18. | — |
| Eggplant | Apr 16 | Jun 18–Jun 25 | 57 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 18, the outdoor season is about 13 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Okra | May 7 | Jun 11–Jun 18 | 78 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 78 available after Jun 11. | Jun 20 |
| Basil | Apr 30 | Jun 25–Jun 25 | 64 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 64 available after Jun 25. | — |
| Cilantro | — | May 7–May 28 | 134 | two-plantings: Plant May 7 and again by Jul 16; both mature before Sep 18. | Jul 16 |
| Parsley | Mar 26 | Jun 11–Jun 18 | 99 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 99 available after Jun 11. | Jun 26 |
| Celery | Mar 26 | Jun 11–Jun 25 | 99 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 11, the outdoor season is about 21 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Scallions | Mar 26 | May 7–May 21 | 148 | two-plantings: Plant May 7 and again by Jul 20; both mature before Oct 2. | Jul 20 |
| Turnip | — | May 7–May 21 | 148 | two-plantings: Plant May 7 and again by Jul 30; both mature before Oct 2. | Jul 30 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Apr 23–May 7 | 162 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 23 and again by Jul 25; both mature before Oct 2. | Jul 25 |
| Bok Choy | May 7 | May 28–Jun 4 | 113 | two-plantings: Plant May 28 and again by Jul 21; both mature before Sep 18. | Jul 21 |
| Collards | Mar 26 | May 7–May 21 | 148 | two-plantings: Plant May 7 and again by Jul 20; both mature before Oct 2. | Jul 20 |
| Cantaloupe | May 21 | Jun 18–Jun 25 | 57 | no-fit: Needs 85 days; Whitefish has 57 after Jun 18. | — |
| Chives | Mar 12 | Jun 11–Jun 18 | 113 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 113 available after Jun 11. | — |
| Dill | — | Apr 9–Jul 2 | 162 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 9 and again by Jul 11; both mature before Sep 18. | Jul 11 |
| Oregano | Mar 26 | Jun 11–Jun 18 | 113 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 113 available after Jun 11. | — |
| Rosemary | Mar 12 | Jun 11–Jun 18 | 99 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 99 available after Jun 11. | — |
| Sage | Apr 9 | Jun 11–Jun 18 | 113 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 113 available after Jun 11. | — |
| Thyme | Mar 26 | Jun 11–Jun 18 | 113 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 113 available after Jun 11. | — |
| Calendula | Apr 23 | May 21–Jun 4 | 120 | two-plantings: Plant May 21 and again by Jul 16; both mature before Sep 18. | Jul 16 |
| Cosmos | May 7 | Jun 4–Jun 18 | 85 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 85 available after Jun 4. | Jun 15 |
| Lavender | Mar 12 | Jun 4–Jun 18 | 120 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 120 available after Jun 4. | — |
| Marigolds | Apr 23 | Jun 4–Jun 11 | 85 | fits: 50 days to maturity, 85 available after Jun 4. | Jun 25 |
| Melons | May 21 | Jun 18–Jun 25 | 57 | no-fit: Needs 85 days; Whitefish has 57 after Jun 18. | — |
| Mint | — | Jun 4–Jun 18 | 120 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 120 available after Jun 4. | — |
| Nasturtiums | May 7 | Jun 4–Jun 11 | 85 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 85 available after Jun 4. | Jun 20 |
| Pole Beans | — | Jun 11–Jun 25 | 78 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 78 available after Jun 11. | — |
| Spaghetti Squash | May 21 | Jun 18–Jun 25 | 64 | no-fit: Needs 90 days; Whitefish has 64 after Jun 18. | — |
| Sunflowers | — | Jun 4–Jun 18 | 85 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 85 available after Jun 4. | Jun 5 |
| Tomatillos | Apr 9 | Jun 11–Jun 18 | 64 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 11, the outdoor season is about 11 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Watermelon | May 21 | Jun 11–Jun 18 | 64 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 11, the outdoor season is about 16 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Yellow Squash | May 21 | Jun 18–Jun 25 | 71 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 71 available after Jun 18. | Jun 20 |
| Zinnias | May 7 | Jun 4–Jun 18 | 85 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 85 available after Jun 4. | Jun 15 |
Month by month in Whitefish
| 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 5), Brussel Sprouts (Jun 10), Cosmos (Jun 15), Zinnias (Jun 15), Broccoli (Jun 16), Nasturtiums (Jun 20), +7 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Peas (Jul 1), Cabbage (Jul 10), Carrots (Jul 10), Beets (Jul 11), Dill (Jul 11), Swiss Chard (Jul 11), +9 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Arugula (Aug 9), Spinach (Aug 9), Radish (Aug 10). |
| September | Direct sow from: Garlic (Sep 11). First frost around September 11. |
| October | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Oct 2). |
| 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 Whitefish, MT (ZIP 59937)?
The median last spring frost date for Whitefish, MT (ZIP code 59937) 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 9; one in ten it runs past June 30.
What is the first fall frost date in Whitefish, MT?
The median first fall frost date for Whitefish, MT is around September 11. 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 28 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Whitefish, MT?
The frost-free growing season in Whitefish is about 99 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 Whitefish (99 frost-free days, a short season), 29 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 14 get two plantings, 6 need an indoor start, 6 don't reliably mature, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is Whitefish, MT?
Whitefish, 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 Whitefish, MT?
Start tomatoes indoors Apr 30 and plant out Jun 18 in Whitefish. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Whitefish?
Two: plant May 7 and again by Jul 21; both mature before Sep 18.
When do I plant garlic in Whitefish?
Sep 11 to Oct 2; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I grow Celery in Whitefish?
Yes, with help. Even planted out Jun 11, the outdoor season is about 21 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Columbia Falls (ZIP 59912) has 117 frost-free days, 18 more than Whitefish (ZIP 59937). See Columbia Falls ZIP 59912 frost dates
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