Frost Dates & Planting Calendar for Evergreen, MT
Plan your garden around Evergreen, MT's typical frost-free growing season, using NOAA climate normals and a 42-crop planting calendar built for this location.
Last Spring Frost
May 31
Safe Jun 22
Typical May 31
Risky May 13
First Fall Frost
September 10
Safe Aug 26
Typical Sep 10
Risky Sep 25
Growing Season
100 days
Typical last frost to typical first frost.
USDA Hardiness Zone
Zone 5b
A classic four-season climate with cold winters and a solid summer growing season.
Data: NOAA station KALISPELL GLACIER AP, MT US, 8.8 km away.
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days until the typical last spring frost
Monthly Temperatures
Avg. high
Avg. temp
Avg. low
Planting Calendar
| Crop | Start indoors | Direct sow | Transplant | Fall planting | Maturity | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | — | Jun 7 – Jun 14 | — | 60–85 days | Start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost; transplant out 1-2 weeks after last frost once soil has warmed. |
| Pepper | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | — | Jun 7 – Jun 21 | — | 60–90 days | Slow to germinate; start indoors 8-10 weeks before last frost. Transplant only once nights stay above 55F, 1-3 weeks after last frost. |
| Eggplant | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | — | Jun 14 – Jun 21 | — | 65–85 days | Warm-season crop, similar timing to pepper; needs consistently warm soil (65F+) to transplant. |
| Cucumber | May 3 – May 10 | Jun 7 – Jun 14 | Jun 7 – Jun 14 | — | 50–65 days | Can be started indoors 3-4 weeks before transplanting, or direct-sown 1-2 weeks after last frost once soil is warm. |
| Zucchini | May 10 – May 17 | Jun 7 – Jun 21 | Jun 7 – Jun 14 | — | 45–55 days | Fast-growing squash; direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost, or start indoors 2-3 weeks early for a head start. |
| Winter Squash | May 3 – May 10 | Jun 7 – Jun 21 | Jun 7 – Jun 14 | — | 80–110 days | Long season; direct sow after soil warms, or start indoors 3-4 weeks before last frost in short-season climates. |
| Pumpkin | — | Jun 7 – Jun 21 | — | — | 90–120 days | Direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost; back-time from your first fall frost so the 90-120 day maturity window lands before it. |
| Watermelon | May 3 – May 10 | — | Jun 14 – Jun 21 | — | 70–90 days | Needs warm soil (65F+); start indoors 3-4 weeks before last frost, transplant 2-3 weeks after last frost. |
| Cantaloupe | May 3 – May 10 | — | Jun 14 – Jun 21 | — | 70–90 days | Same warm-soil requirements as watermelon; avoid disturbing roots when transplanting. |
| Corn | — | May 31 – Jun 14 | — | — | 60–100 days | Direct sow at last frost to 2 weeks after, once soil reaches 60F; does not transplant well. Succession sow every 2 weeks. |
| Green Bean | — | May 31 – Jun 14 | — | — | 50–65 days | Direct sow at last frost to 2 weeks after, once soil has warmed; frost-tender, do not rush. |
| Pea | — | Apr 19 – May 3 | — | — | 55–70 days | Cold-hardy; direct sow 4-6 weeks before last frost as soon as soil can be worked. |
| Lettuce | — | May 3 – May 17 | — | Jul 16 – Jul 30 | 45–60 days | Cold-hardy; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost. Also transplantable from indoor starts. |
| Spinach | — | Apr 19 – May 3 | — | Jul 16 – Jul 30 | 40–50 days | Very cold-hardy; direct sow 4-6 weeks before last frost as soon as soil can be worked. |
| Kale | — | May 3 – May 17 | — | Jul 2 – Jul 16 | 50–65 days | Cold-hardy; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost or start indoors for earlier transplants. |
| Arugula | — | May 3 – May 17 | — | Jul 30 – Aug 6 | 30–40 days | Fast-growing, cold-tolerant green; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost, succession sow every 2-3 weeks. |
| Swiss Chard | — | May 10 – May 24 | — | — | 50–60 days | Fairly cold-hardy; direct sow 1-3 weeks before last frost. Tolerates light frost in fall too. |
| Broccoli | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | — | May 10 – May 17 | Jul 9 – Jul 16 | 55–80 days | Start indoors 5-7 weeks before last frost; transplant out 2-3 weeks before last frost (hardens off to light frost). |
| Cauliflower | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | — | May 17 – May 24 | Jul 2 – Jul 9 | 55–85 days | Fussier than broccoli about temperature swings; start indoors 5-7 weeks before last frost, transplant 1-2 weeks before last frost. |
| Cabbage | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | — | May 3 – May 17 | Jul 2 – Jul 16 | 60–100 days | Cold-hardy; start indoors 5-7 weeks before last frost, transplant 2-4 weeks before last frost. |
| Brussels Sprouts | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | — | May 10 – May 24 | — | 90–110 days | Long-season crop best timed to mature after a light fall frost for sweetest flavor; start indoors 5-7 weeks before last frost. |
| Carrot | — | May 3 – May 17 | — | Jun 18 – Jul 2 | 60–80 days | Direct sow only (does not transplant); sow 2-4 weeks before last frost, as soon as soil can be worked. |
| Beet | — | May 3 – May 17 | — | Jul 2 – Jul 16 | 50–65 days | Direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost; tolerates light frost. |
| Radish | — | Apr 26 – May 10 | — | Jul 30 – Aug 13 | 22–30 days | Very fast and cold-hardy; direct sow 3-5 weeks before last frost, as soon as soil can be worked. |
| Turnip | — | May 3 – May 17 | — | Jul 2 – Jul 16 | 40–60 days | Cold-hardy; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost. |
| Onion | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | — | May 3 – May 17 | — | 90–120 days | Start seeds indoors 8-10 weeks before last frost (or use sets/transplants); set out 2-4 weeks before last frost, very cold-tolerant as seedlings. |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Aug 13 – Aug 27 | 240–270 days | Fall-planted crop only; not planted in spring in most climates. |
| Potato | — | May 3 – May 17 | — | — | 70–120 days | Plant seed potatoes 2-4 weeks before last frost, as soon as soil can be worked and is above 45F; light frost on emerging foliage is usually tolerated. |
| Sweet Potato | — | — | Jun 14 – Jun 28 | — | 90–120 days | Set out slips 2-4 weeks after last frost once soil is thoroughly warm (65F+); very frost/cold sensitive. |
| Asparagus | — | — | May 3 – May 17 | — | 730–1095 days | Perennial; plant crowns 2-4 weeks before last frost as soon as soil can be worked. Takes 2-3 years to full production. |
| Crop | Start indoors | Direct sow | Transplant | Fall planting | Maturity | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basil | Apr 19 – Apr 26 | — | Jun 7 – Jun 14 | — | 50–70 days | Very frost/cold sensitive; start indoors 5-6 weeks before last frost, transplant only after all danger of frost (1-2 weeks after) and nights stay warm. |
| Cilantro | — | May 10 – May 24 | — | Jul 16 – Jul 30 | 45–70 days | Cool-season, bolts in heat; direct sow 1-3 weeks before last frost, succession sow through spring. |
| Parsley | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | — | May 17 – May 24 | — | 70–90 days | Slow to germinate; start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost, transplant 1-2 weeks before last frost (biennial, cold-tolerant). |
| Dill | — | May 10 – May 24 | — | — | 40–60 days | Taprooted, does not transplant well; direct sow 1-3 weeks before last frost, succession sow through summer. |
| Oregano | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | — | May 31 – Jun 7 | — | 80–90 days | Perennial herb; start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost, transplant around/just after last frost date. |
| Thyme | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | — | May 31 – Jun 7 | — | 85–95 days | Perennial herb, slow from seed; start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost, transplant around/after last frost. |
| Crop | Start indoors | Direct sow | Transplant | Fall planting | Maturity | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunflower | — | Jun 7 – Jun 21 | — | — | 70–100 days | Direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost once soil has warmed; taprooted, resents transplanting. |
| Zinnia | May 3 – May 10 | Jun 7 – Jun 21 | Jun 7 – Jun 14 | — | 60–70 days | Frost-tender; direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost, or start indoors 3-4 weeks early for earlier blooms. |
| Marigold | Apr 19 – May 3 | — | Jun 7 – Jun 14 | — | 45–60 days | Frost-tender; start indoors 4-6 weeks before last frost, transplant after all frost danger has passed. |
| Cosmos | May 3 – May 10 | Jun 7 – Jun 21 | Jun 7 – Jun 14 | — | 60–90 days | Easy from direct seed 1-3 weeks after last frost; can also start indoors 3-4 weeks early. |
| Nasturtium | — | Jun 7 – Jun 21 | — | — | 50–65 days | Frost-tender, resents root disturbance; direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost once soil has warmed. |
| Dahlia | — | — | Jun 7 – Jun 21 | — | 90–120 days | Plant tubers 1-3 weeks after last frost once soil is warm (60F+); very frost-sensitive. |
Date ranges are estimates based on university extension guidelines and this city's NOAA frost normals — not a guarantee. Scroll to see all columns on narrow screens.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the last frost in Evergreen, MT?
Based on 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for the KALISPELL GLACIER AP, MT US station, the last spring frost in Evergreen typically falls around May 31. A cautious gardener might wait until June 22 (only a 10% chance of a later frost), while May 13 marks an earlier, higher-risk planting date.
When is the first frost in Evergreen, MT in fall?
The first fall frost in Evergreen typically arrives around September 10. To stay safe, assume frost could start as early as August 26; in milder years it can hold off until September 25.
How long is the growing season in Evergreen, MT?
Evergreen's average frost-free growing season is about 100 days, running from the typical last spring frost (May 31) to the typical first fall frost (September 10).
What USDA hardiness zone is Evergreen, MT in?
Evergreen, MT is in USDA plant hardiness zone 5b, per the USDA's 2023 Plant Hardiness Zone Map. A classic four-season climate with cold winters and a solid summer growing season.