Frost dates for 59728Elliston, MT
The average last spring frost in Elliston is June 9 and the average first fall frost is September 8, giving a typical growing season of about 91 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Jun 9
- Average first fall frost
- Sep 8
- Growing season
- 91 days
Safer after Jun 26 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Aug 26 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 225 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) | — | — | 57 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | May 23 · Jun 9 · Jun 26 | Aug 26 · Sep 8 · Sep 21 | 91 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | May 2 · May 16 · Jun 3 | Sep 6 · Sep 20 · Oct 3 | 125 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Elliston
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 19 |
| 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 29 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Jun 25 – Aug 9 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jul 9 – Aug 9 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Jun 25 – Jun 21 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Jun 25 – May 19 |
| 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 9 – May 19 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 8 – Jun 19 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Apr 11 – May 9 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 9 – Jun 9 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Apr 29 – May 29 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | May 29 – Jun 29 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 9 – Jul 25 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 29 – Jul 15 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 2 – Jun 15 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 15 – Jul 20 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 9 – Jun 29 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 29 – Jul 30 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 26 – Jun 15 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 22 – Jun 29 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jun 9 – Jul 25 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Apr 29 – Jun 14 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Aug 29 – Sep 29 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 59728 is matched to the NOAA station Elliston, MT, 7.1 km away, at 5,080 ft elevation (297 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elliston, MT (used) | 5,080 ft | Jun 9 | Sep 8 |
| Austin 1 W, MT | 4,851 ft | Jun 4 | Sep 14 |
| Tizer Gardens, MT | 4,672 ft | Jun 18 | Sep 5 |
| Deer Lodge 3 W, MT | 4,850 ft | — | — |
Frost dates near Elliston
- Avon, MT 59713 · last Jun 4, first Sep 14
- Basin, MT 59631 · last Jun 7, first Sep 8
- Fort Harrison, MT 59636 · last May 9, first Sep 30
- Marysville, MT 59640 · last Jun 4, first Sep 14
- Helena, MT 59623 · last May 9, first Sep 30
- Deer Lodge, MT 59722 · last —, first —
- Canyon Creek, MT 59633 · last Jun 4, first Sep 14
- Garrison, MT 59731 · last —, first —
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Elliston, MT?
- For ZIP code 59728, the average last spring frost (32°F) is June 9, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Elliston, MT weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after June 26.
- When is the first frost in Elliston, MT?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is September 8. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by August 26, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 59728?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 91 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.