When to Plant Watermelon in Montana
In a typical Montana location, start seeds indoors Apr 16 – Apr 23, then transplant outdoors May 28 – Jun 4. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as May 19 in Laurel and as late as Jun 27 in Butte.
Needs warm soil (65F+); start indoors 3-4 weeks before last frost, transplant 2-3 weeks after last frost.
Watermelon Planting Dates by City
| City | Start indoors | Transplant |
|---|---|---|
| Billings | Apr 12 – Apr 19 | May 24 – May 31 |
| Missoula | Apr 12 – Apr 19 | May 24 – May 31 |
| Great Falls | Apr 8 – Apr 15 | May 20 – May 27 |
| Bozeman | Apr 28 – May 5 | Jun 9 – Jun 16 |
| Butte | May 16 – May 23 | Jun 27 – Jul 4 |
| Helena | Apr 11 – Apr 18 | May 23 – May 30 |
| Kalispell | May 3 – May 10 | Jun 14 – Jun 21 |
| Havre | Apr 17 – Apr 24 | May 29 – Jun 5 |
| Anaconda | May 4 – May 11 | Jun 15 – Jun 22 |
| Miles City | Apr 10 – Apr 17 | May 22 – May 29 |
| Helena Valley Southeast | Apr 11 – Apr 18 | May 23 – May 30 |
| Belgrade | Apr 28 – May 5 | Jun 9 – Jun 16 |
| Helena Valley West Central | Apr 11 – Apr 18 | May 23 – May 30 |
| Evergreen | May 3 – May 10 | Jun 14 – Jun 21 |
| Livingston | Apr 29 – May 6 | Jun 10 – Jun 17 |
| Whitefish | Apr 18 – Apr 25 | May 30 – Jun 6 |
| Laurel | Apr 7 – Apr 14 | May 19 – May 26 |
| Sidney | Apr 13 – Apr 20 | May 25 – Jun 1 |
| Lockwood | Apr 12 – Apr 19 | May 24 – May 31 |
| Lewistown | Apr 16 – Apr 23 | May 28 – 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 watermelon in Montana?
In a typical Montana location, start seeds indoors Apr 16 – Apr 23, then transplant outdoors May 28 – Jun 4. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as May 19 in Laurel and as late as Jun 27 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 watermelon take to grow?
Watermelon typically take 70–90 days from planting to harvest. Needs warm soil (65F+); start indoors 3-4 weeks before last frost, transplant 2-3 weeks after last frost.
Other Crops in Montana
- Tomatoes
- Peppers
- Eggplant
- Cucumbers
- Zucchini
- Winter Squash
- Pumpkins
- 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 watermelon in other states