Frost dates for 59324Ekalaka, MT
The average last spring frost in Ekalaka is May 20 and the average first fall frost is September 23, giving a typical growing season of about 126 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 20
- Average first fall frost
- Sep 23
- Growing season
- 126 days
Safer after Jun 1 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 7 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 198 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) | May 19 · May 31 · Jun 21 | Aug 28 · Sep 13 · Sep 28 | 102 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | May 7 · May 20 · Jun 1 | Sep 7 · Sep 23 · Oct 7 | 126 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 27 · May 10 · May 23 | Sep 17 · Oct 2 · Oct 17 | 145 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Ekalaka
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 | Apr 19 – Jun 25 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Jun 5 – Jun 3 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 19 – May 20 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 19 – Jul 20 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | May 6 – Jun 4 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 19 – Jul 20 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 19 – Jun 13 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Jun 5 – Jul 20 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 19 – Jul 20 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Jun 5 – Jul 6 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Jun 5 – Jun 3 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 19 – Jul 20 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 12 – Jul 5 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 19 – Jun 4 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 19 – Jun 19 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 8 – Apr 4 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 6 – Jun 4 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Apr 1 – May 5 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 6 – Jun 4 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 24 – Jun 3 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 23 – Jul 4 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 22 – Apr 19 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 19 – May 20 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 14 – Jun 13 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 13 – Jul 14 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 19 – Jul 5 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 13 – Jul 30 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – May 26 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 30 – Aug 4 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 19 – Jun 9 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 13 – Aug 14 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 6 – May 26 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 6 – Jul 14 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 20 – Jul 5 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 14 – Jun 29 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 13 – Oct 14 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 59324 is matched to the NOAA station Ekalaka, MT, 3.5 km away, at 3,432 ft elevation (272 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ekalaka, MT (used) | 3,432 ft | May 20 | Sep 23 |
| Powderville 8 Nne, MT | 2,800 ft | May 13 | Sep 25 |
| Ridgeway 1 S, MT | 3,316 ft | May 17 | Sep 22 |
| Ladner 9Sw, SD | 3,000 ft | May 13 | Sep 27 |
Frost dates near Ekalaka
- Hammond, MT 59332 · last May 17, first Sep 22
- Willard, MT 59354 · last May 16, first Sep 26
- Camp Crook, SD 57724 · last May 17, first Sep 24
- Powderville, MT 59345 · last May 13, first Sep 25
- Baker, MT 59313 · last May 16, first Sep 26
- Plevna, MT 59344 · last May 21, first Sep 20
- Capitol, MT 59319 · last May 17, first Sep 24
- Marmarth, ND 58643 · last May 16, first Sep 26
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Ekalaka, MT?
- For ZIP code 59324, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 20, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Ekalaka, MT weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after June 1.
- When is the first frost in Ekalaka, MT?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is September 23. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 7, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 59324?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 126 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.