Frost dates for 59524Dodson, MT
The average last spring frost in Dodson is May 10 and the average first fall frost is September 29, giving a typical growing season of about 139 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 10
- Average first fall frost
- Sep 29
- Growing season
- 139 days
Safer after May 22 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 17 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 195 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 8 · May 19 · May 31 | Sep 6 · Sep 20 · Sep 30 | 122 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 29 · May 10 · May 22 | Sep 17 · Sep 29 · Oct 10 | 139 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 13 · Apr 30 · May 12 | Sep 23 · Oct 6 · Oct 19 | 160 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Dodson
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 9 – Jun 15 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 26 – Jun 9 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 9 – May 10 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 9 – Jul 10 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 26 – May 25 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 9 – Jul 10 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 9 – Jun 19 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 26 – Jul 10 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 9 – Jul 10 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 26 – Jul 12 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 26 – Jun 9 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 9 – Jul 10 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 2 – Jun 25 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 9 – May 25 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 9 – Jun 9 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 26 – Mar 25 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 26 – May 25 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 22 – Apr 25 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 26 – May 25 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 30 – Jun 9 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Jul 10 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 12 – Apr 9 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 9 – May 10 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 20 – Jun 19 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 19 – Jul 20 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 9 – Jun 25 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 19 – Aug 5 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – May 16 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 6 – Aug 10 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 9 – May 30 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 19 – Aug 20 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 26 – May 16 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 12 – Jul 20 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 10 – Jun 25 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 20 – Jul 5 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 19 – Oct 20 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 59524 is matched to the NOAA station Malta, MT, 28 km away, at 2,262 ft elevation (21 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Malta, MT (used) | 2,262 ft | May 10 | Sep 29 |
| Harlem 20S, MT | 2,695 ft | May 24 | Sep 22 |
| Malta 7 E, MT | 2,231 ft | May 7 | Sep 28 |
| Ft Belknap 2 Sw, MT | 2,527 ft | May 16 | Sep 22 |
Frost dates near Dodson
- Malta, MT 59538 · last May 10, first Sep 29
- Harlem, MT 59526 · last May 16, first Sep 21
- Turner, MT 59542 · last May 19, first Sep 21
- Loring, MT 59537 · last May 19, first Sep 22
- Hays, MT 59527 · last May 18, first Sep 23
- Hogeland, MT 59529 · last May 19, first Sep 21
- Whitewater, MT 59544 · last May 15, first Sep 23
- Zurich, MT 59547 · last May 14, first Sep 23
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Dodson, MT?
- For ZIP code 59524, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 10, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Malta, MT weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 22.
- When is the first frost in Dodson, MT?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is September 29. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 17, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 59524?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 139 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.