Frost dates for 59052Mc Leod, MT
The average last spring frost in Mc Leod is June 5 and the average first fall frost is September 14, giving a typical growing season of about 99 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Jun 5
- Average first fall frost
- Sep 14
- Growing season
- 99 days
Safer after Jun 21 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Aug 31 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 221 days
Frost risk by date
NOAA reports frost dates as probabilities. The middle date is the average (a 50% chance). For spring, the 10% date is a safer planting date: frost after it happens in about 1 year in 10. Light frost (36°F) can damage tender plants; a hard freeze (28°F) kills most annuals.
| Temperature | Last spring: 90% / 50% / 10% chance | First fall: 10% / 50% / 90% chance | Growing season (50%) | Years with at least one |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light frost (36°F) | — | — | 72 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | May 22 · Jun 5 · Jun 21 | Aug 31 · Sep 14 · Sep 28 | 99 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | May 7 · May 24 · Jun 11 | Sep 7 · Sep 25 · Oct 10 | 122 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Mc Leod
Planting windows from the University of Maryland Extension calendar, shifted to your average frost dates. Use them as a starting point and adjust for seed packet instructions and local conditions.
| Crop | Task | Window |
|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Start seeds indoors | May 5 – Jul 11 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Jun 21 – May 25 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | May 5 – Jun 5 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jul 5 – Aug 5 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | May 22 – Jun 20 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jul 5 – Aug 5 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jul 5 – Jun 4 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Jun 21 – Aug 5 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jul 5 – Aug 5 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Jun 21 – Jun 27 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Jun 21 – May 25 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jul 5 – Aug 5 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 28 – Jul 21 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 5 – Jun 20 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | May 5 – Jul 5 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 24 – Apr 20 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 22 – Jun 20 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Apr 17 – May 21 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 22 – Jun 20 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 15 – May 25 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 14 – Jun 25 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Apr 7 – May 5 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 5 – Jun 5 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 5 – Jun 4 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 4 – Jul 5 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 5 – Jul 21 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 4 – Jul 21 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 28 – Jun 11 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 21 – Jul 26 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 5 – Jun 25 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 4 – Aug 5 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 22 – Jun 11 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 28 – Jul 5 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jun 5 – Jul 21 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 5 – Jun 20 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 4 – Oct 5 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 59052 is matched to the NOAA station Mystic Lake, MT, 42.3 km away, at 6,544 ft elevation (241 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mystic Lake, MT (used) | 6,544 ft | Jun 5 | Sep 14 |
| Nye #2, MT | 4,840 ft | Jun 1 | Sep 11 |
| Big Timber, MT | 4,100 ft | May 14 | Sep 26 |
| Livingston Mission Fld, MT | 4,643 ft | May 27 | Sep 14 |
Frost dates near Mc Leod
- Nye, MT 59061 · last Jun 1, first Sep 11
- Greycliff, MT 59033 · last May 14, first Sep 26
- Big Timber, MT 59011 · last May 14, first Sep 26
- Springdale, MT 59082 · last May 14, first Sep 26
- Fishtail, MT 59028 · last Jun 3, first Sep 19
- Reed Point, MT 59069 · last May 24, first Sep 21
- Absarokee, MT 59001 · last Jun 1, first Sep 11
- Roscoe, MT 59071 · last Jun 3, first Sep 19
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Mc Leod, MT?
- For ZIP code 59052, the average last spring frost (32°F) is June 5, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Mystic Lake, MT weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after June 21.
- When is the first frost in Mc Leod, MT?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is September 14. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by August 31, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 59052?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 99 days long.
- Are these frost dates a forecast?
- No. They are 30-year averages and probabilities from NOAA weather station records. Use them to plan, then watch your local forecast before planting tender crops or leaving them uncovered.