When to Plant Tomatoes in Montana
In a typical Montana location, start seeds indoors Mar 19 – Apr 2, then transplant outdoors May 21 – May 28. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as May 12 in Laurel and as late as Jun 20 in Butte.
Start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost; transplant out 1-2 weeks after last frost once soil has warmed.
Tomatoes Planting Dates by City
| City | Start indoors | Transplant |
|---|---|---|
| Billings | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | May 17 – May 24 |
| Missoula | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | May 17 – May 24 |
| Great Falls | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | May 13 – May 20 |
| Bozeman | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | Jun 2 – Jun 9 |
| Butte | Apr 18 – May 2 | Jun 20 – Jun 27 |
| Helena | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | May 16 – May 23 |
| Kalispell | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | Jun 7 – Jun 14 |
| Havre | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | May 22 – May 29 |
| Anaconda | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | Jun 8 – Jun 15 |
| Miles City | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | May 15 – May 22 |
| Helena Valley Southeast | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | May 16 – May 23 |
| Belgrade | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | Jun 2 – Jun 9 |
| Helena Valley West Central | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | May 16 – May 23 |
| Evergreen | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | Jun 7 – Jun 14 |
| Livingston | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | Jun 3 – Jun 10 |
| Whitefish | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | May 23 – May 30 |
| Laurel | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | May 12 – May 19 |
| Sidney | Mar 16 – Mar 30 | May 18 – May 25 |
| Lockwood | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | May 17 – May 24 |
| Lewistown | Mar 19 – Apr 2 | May 21 – May 28 |
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 tomatoes in Montana?
In a typical Montana location, start seeds indoors Mar 19 – Apr 2, then transplant outdoors May 21 – May 28. 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 tomatoes take to grow?
Tomatoes typically take 60–85 days from planting to harvest. Start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost; transplant out 1-2 weeks after last frost once soil has warmed.
Other Crops in Montana
- Peppers
- 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 tomatoes in other states