Frost Dates for Whitehall, MT 59759
Last spring frost June 16 · First fall frost September 3 · 79 frost-free days · USDA Zone 5a
ZIP 59759 has about 3,630 people.
Short season: 79 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans May 28–July 5 (38 days). Fall frost risk spans August 21–September 16 (26 days).
Frost probability for 59759
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | July 5 | June 16 | May 28 |
| Fall (first frost) | August 21 | September 3 | September 16 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at TWIN BRIDGES (34.9 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 79-day season in Whitehall
In Whitehall (79 frost-free days, a short season), 26 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 10 get two plantings, 5 need an indoor start, 2 need a faster variety, 12 don't reliably mature, 1 crop is perennial.
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant out / sow | Days you have | Verdict | Last sow date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | May 12 | Jun 30–Jul 7 | 37 | no-fit: Needs 80 days; Whitehall has 37 after Jun 30. | — |
| Pepper | May 5 | Jun 30–Jul 7 | 37 | no-fit: Needs 75 days; Whitehall has 37 after Jun 30. | — |
| Lettuce | Apr 21 | May 19–May 26 | 114 | two-plantings: Plant May 19 and again by Jul 13; both mature before Sep 10. | Jul 13 |
| Carrots | — | May 26–Jun 2 | 121 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 121 available after May 26. | Jul 2 |
| Cucumber | May 26 | Jun 30–Jul 7 | 51 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 30, the outdoor season is about 9 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Beans | — | Jun 23–Jul 7 | 65 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 65 available after Jun 23. | — |
| Peas | — | Apr 21–Jun 30 | 142 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 142 available after Apr 21. | Jun 23 |
| Zucchini | Jun 2 | Jun 30–Jul 7 | 51 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 30, the outdoor season is about 4 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Onion | Mar 24 | May 19–Jun 2 | 114 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 114 available after May 19. | — |
| Spinach | — | Apr 21–Jun 9 | 156 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 21 and again by Aug 1; both mature before Sep 24. | Aug 1 |
| Kale | Apr 7 | May 19–Jun 2 | 128 | two-plantings: Plant May 19 and again by Jul 17; both mature before Sep 24. | Jul 17 |
| Broccoli | Apr 21 | May 19–Jun 2 | 114 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 114 available after May 19. | Jun 8 |
| Cabbage | Apr 21 | May 19–Jun 2 | 128 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 128 available after May 19. | Jul 2 |
| Radish | — | Apr 21–Jul 14 | 142 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 21 and again by Aug 2; both mature before Sep 10. | Aug 2 |
| Beets | — | Apr 21–Jul 14 | 142 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 21 and again by Jul 3; both mature before Sep 10. | Jul 3 |
| Potatoes | — | Jun 2–Jun 9 | 100 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 100 available after Jun 2. | — |
| Garlic | — | Sep 3 | 184 | overwinter: Plant Sep 3 to Sep 24; harvest the following summer. | Sep 24 |
| Strawberry | — | May 12–Jul 7 | 135 | perennial: A perennial: plant May 12; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | May 19 | Jun 23–Jun 30 | 51 | no-fit: Needs 75 days; Whitehall has 51 after Jun 23. | — |
| Pumpkin | Jun 2 | Jun 30–Jun 30 | 44 | no-fit: Needs 100 days; Whitehall has 44 after Jun 30. | — |
| Cauliflower | May 5 | Jun 9–Jun 23 | 93 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 93 available after Jun 9. | Jun 13 |
| Swiss Chard | Apr 21 | Jun 2–Jun 2 | 100 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 100 available after Jun 2. | Jul 3 |
| Arugula | — | Apr 21–Jul 14 | 156 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 21 and again by Aug 1; both mature before Sep 24. | Aug 1 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Apr 21 | May 19–Jun 2 | 128 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 128 available after May 19. | Jun 2 |
| Butternut Squash | Jun 2 | Jun 30–Jul 7 | 44 | no-fit: Needs 100 days; Whitehall has 44 after Jun 30. | — |
| Eggplant | Apr 28 | Jun 30–Jul 7 | 37 | no-fit: Needs 70 days; Whitehall has 37 after Jun 30. | — |
| Okra | May 19 | Jun 23–Jun 30 | 58 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 58 available after Jun 23. | — |
| Basil | May 12 | Jul 7–Jul 7 | 44 | head-start: Even planted out Jul 7, the outdoor season is about 16 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Cilantro | — | May 19–Jun 9 | 114 | two-plantings: Plant May 19 and again by Jul 8; both mature before Sep 10. | Jul 8 |
| Parsley | Apr 7 | Jun 23–Jun 30 | 79 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 79 available after Jun 23. | — |
| Celery | Apr 7 | Jun 23–Jul 7 | 79 | no-fit: Needs 120 days; Whitehall has 79 after Jun 23. | — |
| Scallions | Apr 7 | May 19–Jun 2 | 128 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 128 available after May 19. | Jul 12 |
| Turnip | — | May 19–Jun 2 | 128 | two-plantings: Plant May 19 and again by Jul 22; both mature before Sep 24. | Jul 22 |
| Kohlrabi | — | May 5–May 19 | 142 | two-plantings: Plant May 5 and again by Jul 17; both mature before Sep 24. | Jul 17 |
| Bok Choy | May 19 | Jun 9–Jun 16 | 93 | fits: 45 days to maturity, 93 available after Jun 9. | Jul 13 |
| Collards | Apr 7 | May 19–Jun 2 | 128 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 128 available after May 19. | Jul 12 |
| Cantaloupe | Jun 2 | Jun 30–Jul 7 | 37 | no-fit: Needs 85 days; Whitehall has 37 after Jun 30. | — |
| Chives | Mar 24 | Jun 23–Jun 30 | 93 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 93 available after Jun 23. | — |
| Dill | — | Apr 21–Jul 14 | 142 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 21 and again by Jul 3; both mature before Sep 10. | Jul 3 |
| Oregano | Apr 7 | Jun 23–Jun 30 | 93 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 93 available after Jun 23. | — |
| Rosemary | Mar 24 | Jun 23–Jun 30 | 79 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 23, the outdoor season is about 1 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Sage | Apr 21 | Jun 23–Jun 30 | 93 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 93 available after Jun 23. | — |
| Thyme | Apr 7 | Jun 23–Jun 30 | 93 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 93 available after Jun 23. | — |
| Calendula | May 5 | Jun 2–Jun 16 | 100 | fits: 50 days to maturity, 100 available after Jun 2. | Jul 8 |
| Cosmos | May 19 | Jun 16–Jun 30 | 65 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 65 available after Jun 16. | — |
| Lavender | Mar 24 | Jun 16–Jun 30 | 100 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 100 available after Jun 16. | — |
| Marigolds | May 5 | Jun 16–Jun 23 | 65 | fits: 50 days to maturity, 65 available after Jun 16. | Jun 17 |
| Melons | Jun 2 | Jun 30–Jul 7 | 37 | no-fit: Needs 85 days; Whitehall has 37 after Jun 30. | — |
| Mint | — | Jun 16–Jun 30 | 100 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 100 available after Jun 16. | — |
| Nasturtiums | May 19 | Jun 16–Jun 23 | 65 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 65 available after Jun 16. | — |
| Pole Beans | — | Jun 23–Jul 7 | 58 | tight: Direct-sow only; pick a variety under 58 days. | — |
| Spaghetti Squash | Jun 2 | Jun 30–Jul 7 | 44 | no-fit: Needs 90 days; Whitehall has 44 after Jun 30. | — |
| Sunflowers | — | Jun 16–Jun 30 | 65 | tight: Direct-sow only; pick a variety under 65 days. | — |
| Tomatillos | Apr 21 | Jun 23–Jun 30 | 44 | no-fit: Needs 75 days; Whitehall has 44 after Jun 23. | — |
| Watermelon | Jun 2 | Jun 23–Jun 30 | 44 | no-fit: Needs 80 days; Whitehall has 44 after Jun 23. | — |
| Yellow Squash | Jun 2 | Jun 30–Jul 7 | 51 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 30, the outdoor season is about 4 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Zinnias | May 19 | Jun 16–Jun 30 | 65 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 65 available after Jun 16. | — |
Month by month in Whitehall
| 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 24), Lavender (Mar 24), Onion (Mar 24), Rosemary (Mar 24). |
| April | Start indoors: Celery (Apr 7), Collards (Apr 7), Kale (Apr 7), Oregano (Apr 7), Parsley (Apr 7), Scallions (Apr 7), +9 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Apr 21), Beets (Apr 21), Dill (Apr 21), Peas (Apr 21), Radish (Apr 21), Spinach (Apr 21). |
| May | Start indoors: Calendula (May 5), Cauliflower (May 5), Marigolds (May 5), Pepper (May 5), Basil (May 12), Tomato (May 12), +7 more. Direct sow from: Kohlrabi (May 5), Cilantro (May 19), Turnip (May 19), Carrots (May 26). Transplant from: Broccoli (May 19), Brussel Sprouts (May 19), Cabbage (May 19), Collards (May 19), Kale (May 19), Lettuce (May 19), +2 more. Plant: Strawberry (May 12). |
| June | Start indoors: Butternut Squash (Jun 2), Cantaloupe (Jun 2), Melons (Jun 2), Pumpkin (Jun 2), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 2), Watermelon (Jun 2), +2 more. Direct sow from: Potatoes (Jun 2), Sunflowers (Jun 16), Beans (Jun 23), Pole Beans (Jun 23). Transplant from: Calendula (Jun 2), Swiss Chard (Jun 2), Bok Choy (Jun 9), Cauliflower (Jun 9), Cosmos (Jun 16), Lavender (Jun 16), +26 more. Last frost around June 16. Last sowing dates: Brussel Sprouts (Jun 2), Broccoli (Jun 8), Cauliflower (Jun 13), Marigolds (Jun 17), Peas (Jun 23). |
| July | Transplant from: Basil (Jul 7). Last sowing dates: Cabbage (Jul 2), Carrots (Jul 2), Beets (Jul 3), Dill (Jul 3), Swiss Chard (Jul 3), Calendula (Jul 8), +8 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Arugula (Aug 1), Spinach (Aug 1), Radish (Aug 2). |
| September | Direct sow from: Garlic (Sep 3). First frost around September 3. Last sowing dates: Garlic (Sep 24). |
| 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 Whitehall, MT (ZIP 59759)?
The median last spring frost date for Whitehall, MT (ZIP code 59759) is around June 16. 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 28; one in ten it runs past July 5.
What is the first fall frost date in Whitehall, MT?
The median first fall frost date for Whitehall, MT is around September 3. 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 Whitehall, MT?
The frost-free growing season in Whitehall is about 79 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 Whitehall (79 frost-free days, a short season), 26 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 10 get two plantings, 5 need an indoor start, 2 need a faster variety, 12 don't reliably mature, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is Whitehall, MT?
Whitehall, 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 Whitehall, MT?
Start tomatoes indoors May 12 and plant out Jun 30 in Whitehall. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Whitehall?
Two: plant May 19 and again by Jul 13; both mature before Sep 10.
When do I plant garlic in Whitehall?
Sep 3 to Sep 24; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I grow Celery in Whitehall?
Not reliably outdoors. Needs 120 days; Whitehall has 79 after Jun 23.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Helena (ZIP 59601) has 98 frost-free days, 19 more than Whitehall (ZIP 59759). See Helena ZIP 59601 frost dates
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