FrostCal

When to Plant Zucchini in Montana

In a typical Montana location, start seeds indoors Apr 23 – Apr 30, then sow outdoors May 21 – Jun 4, 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.

Method Direct sow
Days to maturity 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.

Zucchini Planting Dates by City

CityStart indoorsDirect sowTransplant
BillingsApr 19 – Apr 26May 17 – May 31May 17 – May 24
MissoulaApr 19 – Apr 26May 17 – May 31May 17 – May 24
Great FallsApr 15 – Apr 22May 13 – May 27May 13 – May 20
BozemanMay 5 – May 12Jun 2 – Jun 16Jun 2 – Jun 9
ButteMay 23 – May 30Jun 20 – Jul 4Jun 20 – Jun 27
HelenaApr 18 – Apr 25May 16 – May 30May 16 – May 23
KalispellMay 10 – May 17Jun 7 – Jun 21Jun 7 – Jun 14
HavreApr 24 – May 1May 22 – Jun 5May 22 – May 29
AnacondaMay 11 – May 18Jun 8 – Jun 22Jun 8 – Jun 15
Miles CityApr 17 – Apr 24May 15 – May 29May 15 – May 22
Helena Valley SoutheastApr 18 – Apr 25May 16 – May 30May 16 – May 23
BelgradeMay 5 – May 12Jun 2 – Jun 16Jun 2 – Jun 9
Helena Valley West CentralApr 18 – Apr 25May 16 – May 30May 16 – May 23
EvergreenMay 10 – May 17Jun 7 – Jun 21Jun 7 – Jun 14
LivingstonMay 6 – May 13Jun 3 – Jun 17Jun 3 – Jun 10
WhitefishApr 25 – May 2May 23 – Jun 6May 23 – May 30
LaurelApr 14 – Apr 21May 12 – May 26May 12 – May 19
SidneyApr 20 – Apr 27May 18 – Jun 1May 18 – May 25
LockwoodApr 19 – Apr 26May 17 – May 31May 17 – May 24
LewistownApr 23 – Apr 30May 21 – Jun 4May 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 zucchini in Montana?

In a typical Montana location, start seeds indoors Apr 23 – Apr 30, then sow outdoors May 21 – Jun 4, 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 zucchini take to grow?

Zucchini typically take 45–55 days from planting to harvest. Fast-growing squash; direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost, or start indoors 2-3 weeks early for a head start.

Other Crops in Montana

When to plant zucchini in other states

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