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

Planting zone for 59007 — Bearcreek, MT

ZIP code 59007 (Bearcreek, Carbon County) is in USDA zone 5a: the coldest winter night averages −20 to −15 °F. The median last spring frost is June 3 and the first fall frost September 19.

Where ZIP 59007 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.

Zone5a−20 to −15 °F

Coldest night−28.9 to −26.1 °C

Last frostJun 3

First frostSep 19

2012 zone4b

Was 4b on the 2012 map — half a zone warmer now. The zone is the one at the center of the ZIP code; hilly ZIPs can span two zones. What zone 5a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Bearcreek, 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 Bearcreek, MT

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostJune 3median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsJune 18only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostSeptember 19median — 10% chance by Aug 31

Growing season106 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 17 and returns around October 1.

From the NOAA station Red Lodge, MT — 3 miles away, elevation 5,647 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 59007

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Apr 22 – May 6

SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 22 – May 13

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 25 – Apr 8

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · May 13 – May 27

Onion setsPlant outdoors · May 6 – May 20

PotatoesPlant outdoors · May 13 – May 27

LettuceSow outdoors · May 6 – May 20

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · May 13 – May 27

TomatoesStart indoors · Apr 8 – Apr 22

TomatoesTransplant · Jun 10 – Jun 24

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 25 – Apr 8

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Jun 17 – Jul 1

BeansSow outdoors · Jun 10 – Jun 24

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Jun 10 – Jun 24

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Jun 10 – Jun 24

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Jul 25 – Aug 8

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 5 – Oct 10

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Jun 3) and first fall frost (Sep 19) 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 59007 came on Mar 14 — 30 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 13).

average
Apr 132026
Mar 14

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).

Native plants for zone 5a in Montana

548 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Montana, and rated by the USDA to survive −20 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 5a. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

Source: USDA, NRCS. 2026. The PLANTS Database (plants.usda.gov), National Plant Data Team — state distribution, native status and the “Temperature, Minimum” characteristic. Check light, moisture and soil needs before buying; local nurseries and your state native plant society can confirm what thrives in Bearcreek, MT.

Soil in Bearcreek, MT

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 59007 is Wayden — clay loam, well drained.

TextureClay loamholds 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: Wayden-Castner association, steep.

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 59007; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Bearcreek, MT

Summer high81 °Faverage high, July

Winter low14 °Faverage low, January

Hot days6days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights192nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days1,598base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 38 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day8 h 45 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation22.7 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall142 inper year; 137 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: Red Lodge, MT (3 mi away); precipitation: Red Lodge, MT (3 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 5a.

Red Lodge, MT · 19 mi

Montana planting zones →

Questions about 59007

What planting zone is ZIP code 59007?

ZIP code 59007 (Bearcreek, MT) is in USDA hardiness zone 5a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −20 to −15 °F (−28.9 to −26.1 °C).

When is the last frost in Bearcreek, MT?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 59007 is June 3; after June 18 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Red Lodge station.

When is the first frost in Bearcreek, MT?

The median first fall frost near 59007 is September 19, giving a median frost-free growing season of 106 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 59007?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Apr 8 – Apr 22 and set transplants outside around Jun 10 – Jun 24, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 59007 get?

About 22.7 inches of precipitation a year and 142 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Red Lodge station).

How hot do summers get in Bearcreek, MT?

The average high peaks at 81 °F in July, with about 6 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 59007 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Wayden at the center of ZIP 59007: clay loam, well drained, pH about 7.9 (alkaline).

Did spring come early in Bearcreek, MT in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 59007 came on Mar 14 in 2026, 30 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 13), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Bearcreek, MT?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 59007 is 15 h 38 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 59007 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 59007 in zone 4b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 5a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.