Frost dates for 59444Galata, MT
The average last spring frost in Galata is May 23 and the average first fall frost is September 14, giving a typical growing season of about 112 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 23
- Average first fall frost
- Sep 14
- Growing season
- 112 days
Safer after Jun 8 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 1 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 201 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) | — | — | 78 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | May 12 · May 23 · Jun 8 | Sep 1 · Sep 14 · Sep 26 | 112 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 30 · May 10 · May 22 | Sep 10 · Sep 24 · Oct 4 | 136 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Galata
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 22 – Jun 28 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Jun 8 – May 25 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 22 – May 23 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 22 – Jul 23 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | May 9 – Jun 7 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 22 – Jul 23 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 22 – Jun 4 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Jun 8 – Jul 23 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 22 – Jul 23 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Jun 8 – Jun 27 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Jun 8 – May 25 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 22 – Jul 23 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 15 – Jul 8 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 22 – Jun 7 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 22 – Jun 22 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 11 – Apr 7 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 9 – Jun 7 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Apr 4 – May 8 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 9 – Jun 7 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 15 – May 25 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 14 – Jun 25 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 25 – Apr 22 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 22 – May 23 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 5 – Jun 4 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 4 – Jul 5 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 22 – Jul 8 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 4 – Jul 21 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 15 – May 29 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 21 – Jul 26 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 22 – Jun 12 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 4 – Aug 5 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 9 – May 29 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 28 – Jul 5 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 23 – Jul 8 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 5 – Jun 20 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 4 – Oct 5 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 59444 is matched to the NOAA station Dunkirk 19Nne, MT, 10.5 km away, at 3,323 ft elevation (282 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dunkirk 19Nne, MT (used) | 3,323 ft | May 23 | Sep 14 |
| Goldbutte 7 N, MT | 3,498 ft | — | — |
| Sunburst 8 E, MT | 3,700 ft | May 17 | Sep 25 |
| Sweetgrass, MT | 3,510 ft | May 15 | Sep 25 |
Frost dates near Galata
- Sunburst, MT 59482 · last May 17, first Sep 25
- Oilmont, MT 59466 · last May 17, first Sep 25
- Whitlash, MT 59545 · last —, first —
- Kevin, MT 59454 · last May 23, first Sep 16
- Sweet Grass, MT 59484 · last May 15, first Sep 25
- Lothair, MT 59461 · last May 24, first Sep 17
- Shelby, MT 59474 · last May 23, first Sep 16
- Joplin, MT 59531 · last May 21, first Sep 19
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Galata, MT?
- For ZIP code 59444, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 23, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Dunkirk 19Nne, MT weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after June 8.
- When is the first frost in Galata, MT?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is September 14. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 1, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 59444?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 112 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.