When to plant lettuce in Montana
Montana spans USDA zones 4b–5b, so the right time to plant lettuce shifts by weeks across the state. The window to transplant seedlings outdoors runs from about April 13 in Billings to May 23 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 13 – May 4 |
| Missoula | 5b | May 10 | October 1 | April 19 – May 10 |
| Great Falls | 4b | May 6 | October 1 | April 15 – May 6 |
| Bozeman | 5a | May 26 | September 22 | May 5 – May 26 |
| Butte-Silver Bow | 5a | June 13 | September 5 | May 23 – June 13 |
| Helena | 5a | May 9 | September 30 | April 18 – May 9 |
| Kalispell | 5b | May 31 | September 10 | May 10 – May 31 |
| Belgrade | 5a | May 26 | September 16 | May 5 – May 26 |
Lettuce in Montana: FAQ
When can I plant lettuce in Montana?
Across Montana, the time to transplant lettuce spans roughly April 13 in Billings to May 23 in Butte-Silver Bow, each following that city's local frost dates.
Does the lettuce planting date vary across Montana?
Yes. Montana publishes 8 cities with their own frost dates, so the right lettuce planting window shifts by weeks between the warmest and coldest parts of the state — use your city's page for the exact dates.
How long does lettuce take to grow in Montana?
Lettuce takes about 45–60 days to reach harvest once planted — check that this fits inside your city's frost-free season on its place page.
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