When to plant garlic chives in Montana
Montana spans USDA zones 4b–5b, so the right time to plant garlic chives shifts by weeks across the state. The window to transplant seedlings outdoors runs from about April 20 in Billings to May 30 in Butte-Silver Bow — below are local dates for 8 cities, each computed from its own frost dates.
| City | Zone | Last frost | First frost | Transplant out |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Billings | 5a | May 4 | October 7 | April 20 – May 4 |
| Missoula | 5b | May 10 | October 1 | April 26 – May 10 |
| Great Falls | 4b | May 6 | October 1 | April 22 – May 6 |
| Bozeman | 5a | May 26 | September 22 | May 12 – May 26 |
| Butte-Silver Bow | 5a | June 13 | September 5 | May 30 – June 13 |
| Helena | 5a | May 9 | September 30 | April 25 – May 9 |
| Kalispell | 5b | May 31 | September 10 | May 17 – May 31 |
| Belgrade | 5a | May 26 | September 16 | May 12 – May 26 |
Garlic Chives in Montana: FAQ
When can I plant garlic chives in Montana?
Across Montana, the time to transplant garlic chives spans roughly April 20 in Billings to May 30 in Butte-Silver Bow, each following that city's local frost dates.
Does the garlic chives planting date vary across Montana?
Yes. Montana publishes 8 cities with their own frost dates, so the right garlic chives planting window shifts by weeks between the warmest and coldest parts of the state — use your city's page for the exact dates.
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