Fall in zone 4bPhoto: Dietmar Rabich, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Frost dates for ZIP 59332 (Carter County, MT)
Average last spring and first fall frost dates with 10%, 50% and 90% odds, from NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the nearest weather station, Ridgeway 1 S, MT (14 miles away).
- Average last spring frostMay 1750% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostSep 2250% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)127 daysmedian, 32°F threshold
- USDA hardiness zone4b-25 to -20°F avg. coldest night
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Frost and freeze alerts from the NWS forecast for 59332, the spring soil-temperature heads-up for pre-emergent, and a short weekly yard-timing email.
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This week in your yard
As of Oct 18, 2026, from your frost dates, zone and soil temperature. Lawn timing · Vegetables · Pruning · Plants
Soil temperature now
2-inch depth
46°F Below 50°F
24-hour average · latest 47°F, as of Oct 18, 2:00 AM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Sundance 8 NNW (61 mi).
4-inch depth
45°F Below 50°F
24-hour average · latest 47°F, as of Oct 18, 2:00 AM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Sundance 8 NNW (61 mi).
Fall: Texas A&M AgriLife times fall pre-emergent (for winter weeds such as annual bluegrass) to soil cooling to about 70°F for several days. The 50–55°F band is the spring trigger. Always read and follow the product label.
7-day forecast and frost risk
The latest National Weather Service 7-day forecast and any Frost Advisory or Freeze Warning for 59332 load here. You can also open the NWS forecast for this ZIP.
Pre-emergent
Soil is 45°F at 4 inches (estimated soil temperature, not a station reading). Fall pre-emergent window is mostly past. Next: spring, when soil reaches 50°F (typically mid-April to mid-May).
Fertilizer window
Lawn region: Mountain West and High Plains. Timing only; always follow the product label.
- Kentucky bluegrass (cool-season): Early fall: Around Labor Day (late August–September); Late fall: Late October–November, before the ground freezes; Late spring: Optional around Memorial Day. Avoid: Early-spring and midsummer feeding (pushes top growth, favors crabgrass).
Plant now
No vegetable planting windows are open this week.
Prune now
No frost-timed pruning windows are open this week.
Spring-flowering shrubs are pruned right after their flowers fade, not by date. See the pruning guide.
Last spring frost odds
| Chance of a 32°F freeze after this date | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early: most years still freeze after this) | May 5 |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | May 17 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | Jun 1 |
Most gardeners plant frost-tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, basil) after the 50% date, and closer to the 10% date for less risk.
First fall frost odds
| Chance the first 32°F freeze has happened by this date | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early: 1 year in 10 freezes this soon) | Sep 5 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Sep 22 |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Oct 5 |
Light frost, freeze and hard freeze
| Threshold | Last spring (50%) | First fall (50%) |
|---|---|---|
| 36°F (light frost possible on clear, calm nights) | May 29 | Sep 12 |
| 32°F (freeze) | May 17 | Sep 22 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | May 6 | Oct 1 |
n/a means NOAA did not publish a date at that threshold for this station (usually because it rarely gets that cold).
Vegetable planting calendar for 59332
Dates count from your average last spring frost (May 17) and first fall frost (Sep 22). Half of years have a frost after the spring date, so give tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, squash) some slack.
| Crop | Start indoors | Spring planting | Fall planting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Mar 22–Apr 5 | May 24–Jun 7 (transplant) | – |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Mar 8–22 | May 31–Jun 14 (transplant) | – |
| Eggplant | Mar 8–22 | May 31–Jun 14 (transplant) | – |
| Tomatillo | Mar 22–Apr 5 | May 24–Jun 7 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Mar 22–Apr 5 | Apr 26–May 17 (transplant) Apr 19–May 31 (sow outdoors) | Jul 28–Aug 18 (transplant) Jul 14–Aug 11 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Apr 5–26 (sow outdoors) | Jul 28–Aug 18 (sowing) |
| Kale | Mar 22–Apr 5 | Apr 19–May 3 (transplant) Apr 19–May 3 (sow outdoors) | Jun 30–Jul 28 (transplant) Jun 16–Jul 14 (sowing) |
| Collards | Mar 22–Apr 5 | Apr 19–May 17 (transplant) Apr 19–May 17 (sow outdoors) | Jun 30–Jul 28 (transplant) Jun 16–Jul 14 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Mar 8–22 | Apr 19–May 3 (transplant) | Jun 16–Jul 14 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Mar 8–22 | Apr 19–May 3 (transplant) | Jun 16–Jul 14 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Mar 8–22 | May 3–17 (transplant) | Jun 16–Jul 14 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Feb 22–Mar 8 | Apr 19–May 3 (transplant) | Jun 2–23 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Mar 22–Apr 5 | Apr 19–May 3 (transplant) Apr 19–May 3 (sow outdoors) | Jul 14–28 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | Apr 19–May 3 (sow outdoors) | Jul 28–Aug 11 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | Apr 19–May 17 (sow outdoors) | Jul 28–Aug 25 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | Apr 19–May 10 (sow outdoors) | Jul 28–Aug 11 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Apr 5–19 | May 3–24 (transplant) May 3–31 (sow outdoors) | Jul 14–28 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | Apr 19–May 17 (sow outdoors) | Jul 14–28 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | Apr 26–May 24 (sow outdoors) | Jun 30–Jul 14 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Apr 12–May 24 (sow outdoors) | Aug 11–25 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | Apr 19–May 10 (sow outdoors) | Jul 14–28 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | Apr 26–May 17 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Mar 22–Apr 19 (sow outdoors) | Jun 30–Jul 14 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Feb 22–Mar 8 | Apr 5–19 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Apr 5–May 3 (sow outdoors) | Jul 14–28 (sowing) |
| Leek | Feb 22–Mar 8 | Apr 19–May 3 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Aug 11–Sep 8 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Apr 5–19 (transplant) | Aug 11–Sep 8 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | Apr 19–May 3 (transplant) | Jun 2–16 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | Jun 7–21 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | May 24–Jun 7 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | May 24–Jun 7 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, pole | – | May 24–Jun 7 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | May 31–Jun 14 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | Jun 7–28 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | Apr 19–26 | May 24–Jun 7 (transplant) May 24–Jun 7 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Summer squash / zucchini | Apr 19–26 | May 24–Jun 7 (transplant) May 24–Jun 7 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Winter squash | Apr 19–26 | May 24–Jun 7 (transplant) May 24–Jun 7 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | May 24–Jun 7 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | Apr 19–26 | May 31–Jun 14 (transplant) May 31–Jun 14 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | Apr 19–26 | May 31–Jun 14 (transplant) May 31–Jun 14 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Apr 5–19 | May 31–Jun 14 (transplant) May 31–Jun 14 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Feb 22–Mar 8 | May 24–31 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Apr 5–19 | May 24–Jun 7 (transplant) May 24–Jun 7 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | May 3–31 (sow outdoors) | Jul 28–Aug 11 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Mar 8–22 | May 3–17 (transplant) Apr 26–May 17 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | May 17–31 (sow outdoors) | Jul 28–Aug 11 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | May 17–31 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | Apr 19–May 3 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | Apr 19–May 3 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | Apr 19–May 3 (transplant) | Jul 14–Aug 11 (transplant) |
Typical ranges from university extension planting calendars, adjusted to your frost dates. Probabilities, not guarantees. Fall windows that would overlap spring planting are left out, as are fall crops of frost-tender plants where the frost-free season is under 210 days.
Where these numbers come from
Station: Ridgeway 1 S, MT (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USC00247034), elevation 3,316 ft, 14.4 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: S (standard, 24+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albion 1 N, MT | 24 mi | Jun 2 | Sep 6 |
| Broadus, MT | 35 mi | May 16 | Sep 28 |
| Ekalaka, MT | 35 mi | May 20 | Sep 23 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 17 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 59332
When is the last frost in 59332?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 59332 is May 17. For a more cautious planting date, use June 1, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 59332?
The average first fall freeze is September 22. In 1 year in 10 it comes by September 5.
What hardiness zone is 59332?
ZIP 59332 is in USDA zone 4b (-25 to -20°F average coldest winter night), per the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map ZIP listing.
What is the soil temperature in 59332 right now?
This page shows the latest 2-inch and 4-inch soil temperature from the nearest public soil station (USDA SCAN, NOAA USCRN or TexMesonet), or a labeled estimate when no station is close, against the 50–55°F spring pre-emergent band.
Nearby ZIP codes
59311 Alzada 59316 59319 59324 Ekalaka 57724 Camp Crook 59343 59317 Broadus 59345
Other ZIP codes in Carter County
59311 59319 59324 All Carter County frost dates · Montana frost dates
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Weekly yard timing, plus frost and soil-temperature alerts for your ZIP code.
- Freeze alerts
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Free. One weekly email plus alerts when your ZIP has a frost or a soil-temperature change worth acting on. After you submit, Kit (our email provider) sends a confirmation email: check your email and click the link to confirm. You aren't subscribed until you do. We collect only your email address and ZIP, sent to Kit to deliver The Dial. Unsubscribe anytime.