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

Planting zone for 59030 — Gardiner, MT

ZIP code 59030 (Gardiner, Park County) is in USDA zone 4b: the coldest winter night averages −25 to −20 °F. The median last spring frost is May 21 and the first fall frost September 27.

Where ZIP 59030 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 21

First frostSep 27

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 Gardiner, 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 Gardiner, MT

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMay 21median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsJune 9only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostSeptember 27median — 10% chance by Sep 12

Growing season128 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 6 and returns around October 7.

From the NOAA station Gardiner, MT — 6 miles away, elevation 5,276 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 59030

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Apr 9 – Apr 23

SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 9 – Apr 30

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 12 – Mar 26

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 30 – May 14

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 23 – May 7

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 30 – May 14

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 23 – May 7

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 30 – May 14

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 26 – Apr 9

TomatoesTransplant · May 28 – Jun 11

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 12 – Mar 26

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Jun 4 – Jun 18

BeansSow outdoors · May 28 – Jun 11

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 28 – Jun 11

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 28 – Jun 11

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 2 – Aug 16

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 13 – Oct 18

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 21) and first fall frost (Sep 27) 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 59030 came on May 11 — 7 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (May 18).

average
May 182026
May 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).

Native plants for zone 4b in Montana

506 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Montana, and rated by the USDA to survive −25 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 4b. 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 Gardiner, MT.

Soil in Gardiner, MT

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 59030 is Mollic Cryoboralfs — very gravelly loam, well drained.

TextureVery gravelly loama good balance for most vegetables

pH5.6moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter4.5%moderate

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Mollic Cryoboralfs, glacial drift substratum, 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 59030; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Gardiner, MT

Summer high87 °Faverage high, July

Winter low17 °Faverage low, January

Hot days26days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights167nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,145base 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)

Precipitation13.9 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Gardiner, MT (6 mi away); precipitation: Gardiner, MT (6 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

Cooke City, MT · 24 mi

597305a

Gallatin Gateway, MT · 27 mi

590475a

Livingston, MT · 34 mi

590525a

Mc Leod, MT · 34 mi

597584b

West Yellowstone, MT · 35 mi

821904b

Yellowstone National Park, WY · 39 mi

Montana planting zones →

Questions about 59030

What planting zone is ZIP code 59030?

ZIP code 59030 (Gardiner, 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 Gardiner, MT?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 59030 is May 21; after June 9 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Gardiner station.

When is the first frost in Gardiner, MT?

The median first fall frost near 59030 is September 27, giving a median frost-free growing season of 128 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 59030?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 26 – Apr 9 and set transplants outside around May 28 – Jun 11, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 59030 get?

About 13.9 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Gardiner station).

How hot do summers get in Gardiner, MT?

The average high peaks at 87 °F in July, with about 26 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 59030 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Mollic Cryoboralfs at the center of ZIP 59030: very gravelly loam, well drained, pH about 5.6 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Gardiner, MT in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 59030 came on May 11 in 2026, 7 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (May 18), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Gardiner, MT?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 59030 is 15 h 38 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).