Frost dates for 59055Melville, MT
The average last spring frost in Melville is June 9 and the average first fall frost is September 7, giving a typical growing season of about 88 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Jun 9
- Average first fall frost
- Sep 7
- Growing season
- 88 days
Safer after Jun 27 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Aug 21 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 218 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) | — | — | 59 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | May 26 · Jun 9 · Jun 27 | Aug 21 · Sep 7 · Sep 23 | 88 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | May 9 · May 24 · Jun 10 | Sep 4 · Sep 22 · Oct 5 | 118 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Melville
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 9 – Jul 15 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Jun 25 – May 18 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | May 9 – Jun 9 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jul 9 – Aug 9 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | May 26 – Jun 24 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jul 9 – Aug 9 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jul 9 – May 28 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Jun 25 – Aug 9 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jul 9 – Aug 9 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Jun 25 – Jun 20 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Jun 25 – May 18 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jul 9 – Aug 9 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jul 2 – Jul 25 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 9 – Jun 24 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | May 9 – Jul 9 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 28 – Apr 24 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 26 – Jun 24 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Apr 21 – May 25 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 26 – Jun 24 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 8 – May 18 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 7 – Jun 18 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Apr 11 – May 9 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 9 – Jun 9 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Apr 28 – May 28 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | May 28 – Jun 28 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 9 – Jul 25 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 28 – Jul 14 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 2 – Jun 15 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 14 – Jul 19 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 9 – Jun 29 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 28 – Jul 29 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 26 – Jun 15 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 21 – Jun 28 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jun 9 – Jul 25 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Apr 28 – Jun 13 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Aug 28 – Sep 28 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 59055 is matched to the NOAA station Melville 4 W, MT, 20.8 km away, at 5,365 ft elevation (434 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Melville 4 W, MT (used) | 5,365 ft | Jun 9 | Sep 7 |
| Gibson 2 Ne, MT | 4,444 ft | May 27 | Sep 18 |
| Big Timber, MT | 4,100 ft | May 14 | Sep 26 |
| Harlowton, MT | 4,222 ft | May 23 | Sep 16 |
Frost dates near Melville
- Big Timber, MT 59011 · last May 14, first Sep 26
- Shawmut, MT 59078 · last May 23, first Sep 16
- Greycliff, MT 59033 · last May 14, first Sep 26
- Harlowton, MT 59036 · last May 23, first Sep 16
- Rapelje, MT 59067 · last May 24, first Sep 21
- Two Dot, MT 59085 · last May 23, first Sep 16
- Ryegate, MT 59074 · last May 17, first Sep 23
- Reed Point, MT 59069 · last May 24, first Sep 21
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Melville, MT?
- For ZIP code 59055, the average last spring frost (32°F) is June 9, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Melville 4 W, MT weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after June 27.
- When is the first frost in Melville, MT?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is September 7. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by August 21, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 59055?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 88 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.