When to plant in Bozeman, MT
USDA Zone 5aBozeman, Montana frost dates, USDA zone, and a full-year planting calendar, drawn from the nearest NOAA station and tuned to the local season.
A ~119-day frost-free window makes Bozeman a short-season garden: choose early varieties and start long-season crops indoors well ahead of the last frost. Zone 5a means Bozeman sees real winter cold, but a good range of perennials survive; the frost dates above govern when annual vegetables go out.
The average last spring frost in Bozeman is now 5 days earlier than in the 1981–2010 normals. See how frost dates are shifting nationwide →
Frost probability
BOZEMAN MONTANA STATE UNIV · 1991–2020The date the last spring and first fall frost occur, by threshold and probability. A 90% date is later in spring — and earlier in fall — than a 10% date; the 50% · 32°F row is what most gardeners plan around. These are Bozeman’s own odds, recorded at BOZEMAN MONTANA STATE UNIV.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | Jun 28 | Jun 14 | May 28 | Aug 26 | Sep 8 | Sep 23 |
| 32°F | Jun 14 | May 26 | May 9 | Sep 5 | Sep 22 | Oct 5 |
| 28°F | May 26 | May 8 | Apr 23 | Sep 18 | Oct 3 | Oct 19 |
Download this table as CSV ↓ — every threshold and probability, plus this city’s planting-window dates.
What to plant now
TODAY · JULY 19Full-year planting calendar
Each bar is the exact window to take a planting action in Bozeman, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 14 km · complete 32°F normalsWhen stations disagree by more than a few days, that spread is real microclimate variation — elevation, water, urban heat. Judge which station best matches your own yard.
Bozeman planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Bozeman, MT?
On average, the last spring frost in Bozeman is around May 26 (50% probability at 32°F, from 1991–2020 NOAA normals). Wait until after this date to set out tender plants like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first fall frost in Bozeman, MT?
The first fall frost in Bozeman typically arrives around September 22 (50% probability at 32°F). Harvest or protect frost-sensitive crops before then.
What hardiness zone is Bozeman in?
Bozeman is in USDA hardiness zone 5a. In zone 5a, winters are cold — pick cold-hardy varieties and protect tender crops.
How long is the growing season in Bozeman?
There are roughly 119 frost-free days in Bozeman (a short growing season), running from the average last frost around May 26 to the first fall frost near September 22.
When should I plant tomatoes in Bozeman?
In Bozeman, start tomato seeds indoors around March 31–April 14, then transplant seedlings outdoors around June 2 once the danger of frost has passed.
Never miss a window in Bozeman
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Bozeman’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- Belgrade · 15 km
- Helena · 126 km
- Butte-Silver Bow · 127 km
- Billings · 194 km
- Cody · 203 km
- Great Falls · 203 km
- Rexburg · 215 km
- Jackson · 247 km
Frost dates recorded at BOZEMAN MONTANA STATE UNIV, 2 km from the city center · 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals · zone from the USDA/PRISM 2023 map. How we compute this.
BlissGarden. "When to Plant in Bozeman, MT — Frost Dates & Zone 5a." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USC00241044. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/montana/bozeman.