When to Plant Peppers in Montana
In a typical Montana location, start seeds indoors Mar 5 – Mar 19, then transplant outdoors May 21 – Jun 4. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as May 12 in Laurel and as late as Jun 20 in Butte.
Slow to germinate; start indoors 8-10 weeks before last frost. Transplant only once nights stay above 55F, 1-3 weeks after last frost.
Peppers Planting Dates by City
| City | Start indoors | Transplant |
|---|---|---|
| Billings | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | May 17 – May 31 |
| Missoula | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | May 17 – May 31 |
| Great Falls | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | May 13 – May 27 |
| Bozeman | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | Jun 2 – Jun 16 |
| Butte | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | Jun 20 – Jul 4 |
| Helena | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | May 16 – May 30 |
| Kalispell | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | Jun 7 – Jun 21 |
| Havre | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | May 22 – Jun 5 |
| Anaconda | Mar 23 – Apr 6 | Jun 8 – Jun 22 |
| Miles City | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | May 15 – May 29 |
| Helena Valley Southeast | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | May 16 – May 30 |
| Belgrade | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | Jun 2 – Jun 16 |
| Helena Valley West Central | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | May 16 – May 30 |
| Evergreen | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | Jun 7 – Jun 21 |
| Livingston | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | Jun 3 – Jun 17 |
| Whitefish | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | May 23 – Jun 6 |
| Laurel | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | May 12 – May 26 |
| Sidney | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | May 18 – Jun 1 |
| Lockwood | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | May 17 – May 31 |
| Lewistown | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | May 21 – Jun 4 |
Showing the 20 most populous of 20 Montana cities. Dates are estimates from each city's NOAA frost normals and university extension timing guidelines. See all Montana cities.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant peppers in Montana?
In a typical Montana location, start seeds indoors Mar 5 – Mar 19, then transplant outdoors May 21 – Jun 4. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as May 12 in Laurel and as late as Jun 20 in Butte.
When is the last frost in Montana?
The average last spring frost in Montana ranges from May 5 in Laurel to June 13 in Butte, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals.
How long do peppers take to grow?
Peppers typically take 60–90 days from planting to harvest. Slow to germinate; start indoors 8-10 weeks before last frost. Transplant only once nights stay above 55F, 1-3 weeks after last frost.
Other Crops in Montana
- Tomatoes
- Eggplant
- Cucumbers
- Zucchini
- Winter Squash
- Pumpkins
- Watermelon
- Cantaloupe
- Corn
- Green Beans
- Peas
- Lettuce
- Spinach
- Kale
- Arugula
- Swiss Chard
- Broccoli
- Cauliflower
- Cabbage
- Brussels Sprouts
- Carrots
- Beets
- Radishes
- Turnips
- Onions
- Garlic
- Potatoes
- Sweet Potatoes
- Asparagus
- Basil
- Cilantro
- Parsley
- Dill
- Oregano
- Thyme
- Sunflowers
- Zinnias
- Marigolds
- Cosmos
- Nasturtiums
- Dahlias
When to plant peppers in other states