Fall in zone 5aPhoto: Dietmar Rabich, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Frost dates for ZIP 59749 (Sheridan, 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, Laurin 2NE, MT (6 miles away).
- Average last spring frostMay 2450% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostSep 2250% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)117 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
42°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 Table Mountain (34 mi), Dillon 18 WSW (50 mi).
4-inch depth
42°F Below 50°F
24-hour average · latest 44°F, as of Oct 18, 2:00 AM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Table Mountain (34 mi), Dillon 18 WSW (50 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 59749 load here. You can also open the NWS forecast for this ZIP.
Pre-emergent
Soil is 42°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 11 |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | May 24 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | Jun 13 |
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) | Sep 6 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Sep 22 |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Oct 6 |
Light frost, freeze and hard freeze
| Threshold | Last spring (50%) | First fall (50%) |
|---|---|---|
| 36°F (light frost possible on clear, calm nights) | Jun 12 | Sep 10 |
| 32°F (freeze) | May 24 | Sep 22 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | May 10 | Oct 3 |
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 59749
Dates count from your average last spring frost (May 24) and first fall frost (Sep 22). 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 | Mar 29–Apr 12 | May 31–Jun 14 (transplant) | – |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Mar 15–29 | Jun 7–21 (transplant) | – |
| Eggplant | Mar 15–29 | Jun 7–21 (transplant) | – |
| Tomatillo | Mar 29–Apr 12 | May 31–Jun 14 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Mar 29–Apr 12 | May 3–24 (transplant) Apr 26–Jun 7 (sow outdoors) | Jul 28–Aug 18 (transplant) Jul 14–Aug 11 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Apr 12–May 3 (sow outdoors) | Jul 28–Aug 18 (sowing) |
| Kale | Mar 29–Apr 12 | Apr 26–May 10 (transplant) Apr 26–May 10 (sow outdoors) | Jun 30–Jul 28 (transplant) Jun 16–Jul 14 (sowing) |
| Collards | Mar 29–Apr 12 | Apr 26–May 24 (transplant) Apr 26–May 24 (sow outdoors) | Jun 30–Jul 28 (transplant) Jun 16–Jul 14 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Mar 15–29 | Apr 26–May 10 (transplant) | Jun 16–Jul 14 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Mar 15–29 | Apr 26–May 10 (transplant) | Jun 16–Jul 14 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Mar 15–29 | May 10–24 (transplant) | Jun 16–Jul 14 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Mar 1–15 | Apr 26–May 10 (transplant) | Jun 2–23 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Mar 29–Apr 12 | Apr 26–May 10 (transplant) Apr 26–May 10 (sow outdoors) | Jul 14–28 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | Apr 26–May 10 (sow outdoors) | Jul 28–Aug 11 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | Apr 26–May 24 (sow outdoors) | Jul 28–Aug 25 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | Apr 26–May 17 (sow outdoors) | Jul 28–Aug 11 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Apr 12–26 | May 10–31 (transplant) May 10–Jun 7 (sow outdoors) | Jul 14–28 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | Apr 26–May 24 (sow outdoors) | Jul 14–28 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | May 3–31 (sow outdoors) | Jun 30–Jul 14 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Apr 19–May 31 (sow outdoors) | Aug 11–25 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | Apr 26–May 17 (sow outdoors) | Jul 14–28 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | May 3–24 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Mar 29–Apr 26 (sow outdoors) | Jun 30–Jul 14 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Mar 1–15 | Apr 12–26 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Apr 12–May 10 (sow outdoors) | Jul 14–28 (sowing) |
| Leek | Mar 1–15 | Apr 26–May 10 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Aug 11–Sep 8 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Apr 12–26 (transplant) | Aug 11–Sep 8 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | Apr 26–May 10 (transplant) | Jun 2–16 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | Jun 14–28 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | May 31–Jun 14 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | May 31–Jun 14 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, pole | – | May 31–Jun 14 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | Jun 7–21 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | Jun 14–Jul 5 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | Apr 26–May 3 | May 31–Jun 14 (transplant) May 31–Jun 14 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Summer squash / zucchini | Apr 26–May 3 | May 31–Jun 14 (transplant) May 31–Jun 14 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Winter squash | Apr 26–May 3 | May 31–Jun 14 (transplant) May 31–Jun 14 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | May 31–Jun 14 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | Apr 26–May 3 | Jun 7–21 (transplant) Jun 7–21 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | Apr 26–May 3 | Jun 7–21 (transplant) Jun 7–21 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Apr 12–26 | Jun 7–21 (transplant) Jun 7–21 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Mar 1–15 | May 31–Jun 7 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Apr 12–26 | May 31–Jun 14 (transplant) May 31–Jun 14 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | May 10–Jun 7 (sow outdoors) | Jul 28–Aug 11 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Mar 15–29 | May 10–24 (transplant) May 3–24 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | May 24–Jun 7 (sow outdoors) | Jul 28–Aug 11 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | May 24–Jun 7 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | Apr 26–May 10 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | Apr 26–May 10 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | Apr 26–May 10 (transplant) | Jul 14–Aug 11 (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: Laurin 2NE, MT (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USC00244896), elevation 5,198 ft, 6.1 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 | 13 mi | Jun 4 | Sep 18 |
| Twin Bridges, MT | 14 mi | Jun 8 | Sep 2 |
| Ennis, MT | 19 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 59749
When is the last frost in 59749?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 59749 is May 24. For a more cautious planting date, use June 13, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 59749?
The average first fall freeze is September 22. In 1 year in 10 it comes by September 6.
What hardiness zone is 59749?
ZIP 59749 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 59749 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
59740 McAllister 59755 Virginia City 59754 Twin Bridges 59735 Harrison 59747 Pony 59751 Silver Star 59729 Ennis 59745 Norris
Other ZIP codes in Madison County
59710 59716 59720 59729 59735 59740 59745 59747 59751 59754 59755 All Madison County frost dates · Montana frost dates
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