Fall in zone 5aPhoto: Dietmar Rabich, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Frost dates for ZIP 59710 (Alder, MT)
Average last spring and first fall frost dates with 10%, 50% and 90% odds, from NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the nearest weather station, Alder 17 S, MT (2 miles away).
- Average last spring frostJun 650% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostSep 1450% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)98 daysmedian, 32°F threshold
- USDA hardiness zone5a-20 to -15°F avg. coldest night
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This week in your yard
As of Oct 18, 2026, from your frost dates, zone and soil temperature. Lawn timing · Vegetables · Pruning · Plants
Soil temperature now
2-inch depth
41°F Below 50°F
24-hour average · latest 42°F, as of Oct 18, 2:00 AM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Dillon 18 WSW (46 mi), Table Mountain (57 mi).
4-inch depth
41°F Below 50°F
24-hour average · latest 43°F, as of Oct 18, 2:00 AM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Dillon 18 WSW (46 mi), Table Mountain (57 mi).
Fall: Texas A&M AgriLife times fall pre-emergent (for winter weeds such as annual bluegrass) to soil cooling to about 70°F for several days. The 50–55°F band is the spring trigger. Always read and follow the product label.
7-day forecast and frost risk
The latest National Weather Service 7-day forecast and any Frost Advisory or Freeze Warning for 59710 load here. You can also open the NWS forecast for this ZIP.
Pre-emergent
Soil is 41°F at 4 inches (estimated soil temperature, not a station reading). Fall pre-emergent window is mostly past. Next: spring, when soil reaches 50°F (typically mid-April to mid-May).
Fertilizer window
Lawn region: Mountain West and High Plains. Timing only; always follow the product label.
- Kentucky bluegrass (cool-season): Early fall: Around Labor Day (late August–September); Late fall: Late October–November, before the ground freezes; Late spring: Optional around Memorial Day. Avoid: Early-spring and midsummer feeding (pushes top growth, favors crabgrass).
Plant now
No vegetable planting windows are open this week.
Prune now
No frost-timed pruning windows are open this week.
Spring-flowering shrubs are pruned right after their flowers fade, not by date. See the pruning guide.
Last spring frost odds
| Chance of a 32°F freeze after this date | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early: most years still freeze after this) | May 20 |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | Jun 6 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | Jun 25 |
Most gardeners plant frost-tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, basil) after the 50% date, and closer to the 10% date for less risk.
First fall frost odds
| Chance the first 32°F freeze has happened by this date | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early: 1 year in 10 freezes this soon) | Aug 31 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Sep 14 |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Sep 27 |
Light frost, freeze and hard freeze
| Threshold | Last spring (50%) | First fall (50%) |
|---|---|---|
| 36°F (light frost possible on clear, calm nights) | n/a | n/a |
| 32°F (freeze) | Jun 6 | Sep 14 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | May 16 | Sep 26 |
n/a means NOAA did not publish a date at that threshold for this station (usually because it rarely gets that cold).
Vegetable planting calendar for 59710
Dates count from your average last spring frost (Jun 6) and first fall frost (Sep 14). Half of years have a frost after the spring date, so give tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, squash) some slack.
| Crop | Start indoors | Spring planting | Fall planting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Apr 11–25 | Jun 13–27 (transplant) | – |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Mar 28–Apr 11 | Jun 20–Jul 4 (transplant) | – |
| Eggplant | Mar 28–Apr 11 | Jun 20–Jul 4 (transplant) | – |
| Tomatillo | Apr 11–25 | Jun 13–27 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Apr 11–25 | May 16–Jun 6 (transplant) May 9–Jun 20 (sow outdoors) | Jul 20–Aug 10 (transplant) Jul 6–Aug 3 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Apr 25–May 16 (sow outdoors) | Jul 20–Aug 10 (sowing) |
| Kale | Apr 11–25 | May 9–23 (transplant) May 9–23 (sow outdoors) | Jun 22–Jul 20 (transplant) Jun 8–Jul 6 (sowing) |
| Collards | Apr 11–25 | May 9–Jun 6 (transplant) May 9–Jun 6 (sow outdoors) | Jun 22–Jul 20 (transplant) Jun 8–Jul 6 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Mar 28–Apr 11 | May 9–23 (transplant) | Jun 8–Jul 6 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Mar 28–Apr 11 | May 9–23 (transplant) | Jun 8–Jul 6 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Mar 28–Apr 11 | May 23–Jun 6 (transplant) | Jun 8–Jul 6 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Mar 14–28 | May 9–23 (transplant) | May 25–Jun 15 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Apr 11–25 | May 9–23 (transplant) May 9–23 (sow outdoors) | Jul 6–20 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | May 9–23 (sow outdoors) | Jul 20–Aug 3 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | May 9–Jun 6 (sow outdoors) | Jul 20–Aug 17 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | May 9–30 (sow outdoors) | Jul 20–Aug 3 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Apr 25–May 9 | May 23–Jun 13 (transplant) May 23–Jun 20 (sow outdoors) | Jul 6–20 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | May 9–Jun 6 (sow outdoors) | Jul 6–20 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | May 16–Jun 13 (sow outdoors) | Jun 22–Jul 6 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | May 2–Jun 13 (sow outdoors) | Aug 3–17 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | May 9–30 (sow outdoors) | Jul 6–20 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | May 16–Jun 6 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Apr 11–May 9 (sow outdoors) | Jun 22–Jul 6 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Mar 14–28 | Apr 25–May 9 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Apr 25–May 23 (sow outdoors) | Jul 6–20 (sowing) |
| Leek | Mar 14–28 | May 9–23 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Aug 3–31 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Apr 25–May 9 (transplant) | Aug 3–31 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | May 9–23 (transplant) | May 25–Jun 8 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | Jun 27–Jul 11 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | Jun 13–27 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | Jun 13–27 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, pole | – | Jun 13–27 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | Jun 20–Jul 4 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | Jun 27–Jul 18 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | May 9–16 | Jun 13–27 (transplant) Jun 13–27 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Summer squash / zucchini | May 9–16 | Jun 13–27 (transplant) Jun 13–27 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Winter squash | May 9–16 | Jun 13–27 (transplant) Jun 13–27 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | Jun 13–27 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | May 9–16 | Jun 20–Jul 4 (transplant) Jun 20–Jul 4 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | May 9–16 | Jun 20–Jul 4 (transplant) Jun 20–Jul 4 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Apr 25–May 9 | Jun 20–Jul 4 (transplant) Jun 20–Jul 4 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Mar 14–28 | Jun 13–20 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Apr 25–May 9 | Jun 13–27 (transplant) Jun 13–27 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | May 23–Jun 20 (sow outdoors) | Jul 20–Aug 3 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Mar 28–Apr 11 | May 23–Jun 6 (transplant) May 16–Jun 6 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | Jun 6–20 (sow outdoors) | Jul 20–Aug 3 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | Jun 6–20 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | May 9–23 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | May 9–23 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | May 9–23 (transplant) | Jul 6–Aug 3 (transplant) |
Typical ranges from university extension planting calendars, adjusted to your frost dates. Probabilities, not guarantees. Fall windows that would overlap spring planting are left out, as are fall crops of frost-tender plants where the frost-free season is under 210 days.
Where these numbers come from
Station: Alder 17 S, MT (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USC00240110), elevation 5,850 ft, 1.6 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: R (representative, 10+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia City, MT | 18 mi | Jun 4 | Sep 18 |
| Laurin 2NE, MT | 22 mi | May 24 | Sep 22 |
| Ennis, MT | 27 mi | Jun 16 | Sep 4 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 23 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 59710
When is the last frost in 59710?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 59710 is June 6. For a more cautious planting date, use June 25, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 59710?
The average first fall freeze is September 14. In 1 year in 10 it comes by August 31.
What hardiness zone is 59710?
ZIP 59710 is in USDA zone 5a (-20 to -15°F average coldest winter night), per the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map ZIP listing.
What is the soil temperature in 59710 right now?
This page shows the latest 2-inch and 4-inch soil temperature from the nearest public soil station (USDA SCAN, NOAA USCRN or TexMesonet), or a labeled estimate when no station is close, against the 50–55°F spring pre-emergent band.
Nearby ZIP codes
59755 Virginia City 59720 59749 Sheridan 59739 Lakeview 59729 Ennis 59740 McAllister 59754 Twin Bridges 59725 Dillon
Other ZIP codes in Madison County
59716 59720 59729 59735 59740 59745 59747 59749 59751 59754 59755 All Madison County frost dates · Montana frost dates
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