When to plant rhubarb in Montana
Montana spans USDA zones 4b–5b, so the right time to plant rhubarb shifts by weeks across the state. The window to transplant seedlings outdoors runs from about March 23 in Billings to May 2 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 | March 23 – April 20 |
| Missoula | 5b | May 10 | October 1 | March 29 – April 26 |
| Great Falls | 4b | May 6 | October 1 | March 25 – April 22 |
| Bozeman | 5a | May 26 | September 22 | April 14 – May 12 |
| Butte-Silver Bow | 5a | June 13 | September 5 | May 2 – May 30 |
| Helena | 5a | May 9 | September 30 | March 28 – April 25 |
| Kalispell | 5b | May 31 | September 10 | April 19 – May 17 |
| Belgrade | 5a | May 26 | September 16 | April 14 – May 12 |
Rhubarb in Montana: FAQ
When can I plant rhubarb in Montana?
Across Montana, the time to transplant rhubarb spans roughly March 23 in Billings to May 2 in Butte-Silver Bow, each following that city's local frost dates.
Does the rhubarb planting date vary across Montana?
Yes. Montana publishes 8 cities with their own frost dates, so the right rhubarb 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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