Data: 2023 USDA zones (PRISM/OSU) · NOAA 1991–2020 normals · updated Oct 29, 2026

Planting zone for 59006 — Ballantine, MT

ZIP code 59006 (Ballantine, Yellowstone County) is in USDA zone 4b: the coldest winter night averages −25 to −20 °F. The median last spring frost is May 12 and the first fall frost September 25.

Where ZIP 59006 is

Outlined: the ZIP code area · tap the map for the zone at any spot · scroll or pinch to zoom

Not the official USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Zones come from the 2023 USDA hardiness-zone data by the PRISM Group, Oregon State University; we re-mapped and recolored them. The official map is at planthardiness.ars.usda.gov.

Zone4b−25 to −20 °F

Coldest night−31.7 to −28.9 °C

Last frostMay 12

First frostSep 25

2012 zone4b

Same zone as on the 2012 map. The zone is the one at the center of the ZIP code; hilly ZIPs can span two zones. What zone 4b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Ballantine, MT…

Forecast data: National Weather Service (api.weather.gov), public domain. This is not a warning service — for official frost and freeze warnings see weather.gov.

Frost dates in Ballantine, MT

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free

Last spring frostMay 12median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 26only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostSeptember 25median — 10% chance by Sep 13

Growing season136 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 30 and returns around October 4.

From the NOAA station Huntley Exp Stn, MT — 7 miles away, elevation 3,035 ft. NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, 32 °F threshold. Low spots and valleys can freeze later in spring than the station.

When to plant vegetables in 59006

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 31 – Apr 14

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 31 – Apr 21

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 3 – Mar 17

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 21 – May 5

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 14 – Apr 28

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 21 – May 5

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 14 – Apr 28

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 21 – May 5

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 17 – Mar 31

TomatoesTransplant · May 19 – Jun 2

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 3 – Mar 17

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 26 – Jun 9

BeansSow outdoors · May 19 – Jun 2

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 19 – Jun 2

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 19 – Jun 2

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Jul 31 – Aug 14

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 11 – Oct 16

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 12) and first fall frost (Sep 25) with the rules of thumb U.S. extension services publish. Cool-season crops take a light frost; warm-season crops do best once the soil is above about 60 °F.

When spring arrived in 2026

In 2026, spring leaf-out near 59006 came on Mar 11 — 23 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 3).

average
Apr 32026
Mar 11

JanFebMarAprMayJun

The Spring Index marks the day when accumulated warmth is enough for lilac and honeysuckle to leaf out — a widely used signal that the growing season has started. Source: USA National Phenology Network, www.usanpn.org — Spring Indices, first leaf, 2026 (data as of 2026-09-08) and 30-year average 1991–2020 (CC BY 4.0).

Soil in Ballantine, MT

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 59006 is Kyle — silty clay, well drained.

TextureSilty clayholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up

pH7.9alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter1.25%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Kyle silty clay, 4 to 7 percent slopes.

Soil Survey Staff, Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA. Soil Survey Geographic (SSURGO) Database, via Soil Data Access, accessed 2026-10-29. The soil at the center point of ZIP 59006; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Ballantine, MT

Summer high87 °Faverage high, July

Winter low12 °Faverage low, January

Hot days39days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights182nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,263base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 45 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day8 h 39 mindaylight on December 21

Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)

Precipitation14.4 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall34 inper year; 59 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Huntley Exp Stn, MT (7 mi away); precipitation: Huntley Exp Stn, MT (7 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

3 of the 8 nearest ZIP codes are in a different zone — elevation and distance from water change winter lows quickly.

590374b

Huntley, MT · 7 mi

590644b

Pompeys Pillar, MT · 11 mi

Montana planting zones →

Questions about 59006

What planting zone is ZIP code 59006?

ZIP code 59006 (Ballantine, MT) is in USDA hardiness zone 4b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −25 to −20 °F (−31.7 to −28.9 °C).

When is the last frost in Ballantine, MT?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 59006 is May 12; after May 26 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Huntley Exp Stn station.

When is the first frost in Ballantine, MT?

The median first fall frost near 59006 is September 25, giving a median frost-free growing season of 136 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 59006?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 17 – Mar 31 and set transplants outside around May 19 – Jun 2, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 59006 get?

About 14.4 inches of precipitation a year and 34 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Huntley Exp Stn station).

How hot do summers get in Ballantine, MT?

The average high peaks at 87 °F in July, with about 39 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 59006 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Kyle at the center of ZIP 59006: silty clay, well drained, pH about 7.9 (alkaline).

Did spring come early in Ballantine, MT in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 59006 came on Mar 11 in 2026, 23 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 3), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Ballantine, MT?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 59006 is 15 h 45 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).