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

Planting zone for 59069 — Reed Point, MT

ZIP code 59069 (Reed Point, Stillwater County) is in USDA zone 5a: the coldest winter night averages −20 to −15 °F. The median last spring frost is May 27 and the first fall frost September 14.

Where ZIP 59069 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 frostMay 27
First frostSep 14
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 Reed Point, 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 Reed Point, MT

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 27median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsJune 12only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostSeptember 14median — 10% chance by Sep 1
Growing season108 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 13 and returns around September 26.

From the NOAA station Columbus, MT — 16 miles away, elevation 3,603 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 59069

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Apr 15 – Apr 29
SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 15 – May 6
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 18 – Apr 1
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · May 6 – May 20
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 29 – May 13
PotatoesPlant outdoors · May 6 – May 20
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 29 – May 13
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · May 6 – May 20
TomatoesStart indoors · Apr 1 – Apr 15
TomatoesTransplant · Jun 3 – Jun 17
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 18 – Apr 1
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Jun 10 – Jun 24
BeansSow outdoors · Jun 3 – Jun 17
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Jun 3 – Jun 17
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Jun 3 – Jun 17
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Jul 20 – Aug 3
GarlicPlant cloves · Aug 31 – Oct 5
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 27) and first fall frost (Sep 14) 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 59069 came on Mar 3 — 32 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 4).

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.

Trees 26

American elm120 ft · blooms early spring · medium shade tolerance · to −46 °Fbalsam poplar80 ft · blooms late spring · high shade tolerance · to −79 °Fblack locust60 ft · blooms spring · high shade tolerance · to −37 °Fboxelder60 ft · blooms early spring · low shade tolerance · to −46 °FDouglas-fir200 ft · blooms mid spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °Feastern cottonwood190 ft · blooms spring · high shade tolerance · to −43 °F

Shrubs 96

alderleaf buckthorn3 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −33 °Falderleaf mountain mahogany15 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −41 °Falpine laurel1 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −28 °FAmerican black currant3 ft · blooms early spring · to −46 °FAmerican plum24 ft · blooms mid spring · high shade tolerance · to −38 °Fantelope bitterbrush6 ft · blooms early spring · medium shade tolerance · to −36 °F

Wildflowers & perennials 253

alkali buttercup1 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Falpine bistort1 ft · blooms mid spring · high shade tolerance · to −38 °Falpine mountainsorrel1 ft · blooms mid summer · medium shade tolerance · to −43 °Falpine sweetvetch2 ft · blooms early summer · high shade tolerance · to −62 °FAmerican alpine speedwell1 ft · blooms summer · medium shade tolerance · to −28 °FAmerican bistort1.5 ft · blooms mid spring · high shade tolerance · to −38 °F

Grasses 161

Alaska oniongrass3 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −33 °Falkali cordgrass3 ft · blooms late summer · high shade tolerance · to −38 °Falkali sacaton3 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −38 °FAlpine Meadow-Foxtail0.5 ft · blooms mid spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °Falpine timothy1.4 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −43 °Fanalogue sedge1.5 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °F

Vines 3

American bittersweet15 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Friverbank grape45 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °Fwestern white clematis1 ft · blooms mid summer · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °F

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 Reed Point, MT.

Soil in Reed Point, MT

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 59069 is Yawdim — clay, well drained.

TextureClayholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up
pH7.2neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter0.75%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Yawdim-Birney-Rock outcrop complex, 15 to 60 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 59069; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Reed Point, MT

Summer high85 °Faverage high, July
Winter low10 °Faverage low, January
Hot days28days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights183nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days1,788base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 43 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day8 h 40 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation18.8 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

0°10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 37 °F, low 10 °F 37°10° JanFebruary: average high 40 °F, low 13 °F 40°13° FebMarch: average high 51 °F, low 21 °F 51°21° MarApril: average high 58 °F, low 28 °F 58°28° AprMay: average high 67 °F, low 37 °F 67°37° MayJune: average high 76 °F, low 45 °F 76°45° JunJuly: average high 85 °F, low 50 °F 85°50° JulAugust: average high 84 °F, low 48 °F 84°48° AugSeptember: average high 74 °F, low 39 °F 74°39° SepOctober: average high 60 °F, low 29 °F 60°29° OctNovember: average high 46 °F, low 19 °F 46°19° NovDecember: average high 37 °F, low 11 °F 37°11° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″January: 0.58 in precipitation 0.6 JanFebruary: 0.64 in precipitation 0.6 FebMarch: 1.32 in precipitation 1.3 MarApril: 2.63 in precipitation 2.6 AprMay: 3.43 in precipitation 3.4 MayJune: 2.73 in precipitation 2.7 JunJuly: 1.59 in precipitation 1.6 JulAugust: 1.04 in precipitation 1.0 AugSeptember: 1.45 in precipitation 1.4 SepOctober: 1.79 in precipitation 1.8 OctNovember: 0.90 in precipitation 0.9 NovDecember: 0.70 in precipitation 0.7 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Columbus, MT (16 mi away); precipitation: Big Timber 8.2 Sse, MT (16 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

590335a
Greycliff, MT · 7 mi
590015a
Absarokee, MT · 14 mi
590195a
Columbus, MT · 18 mi
590115a
Big Timber, MT · 22 mi
590674b
Rapelje, MT · 24 mi
590615a
Nye, MT · 25 mi
590554b
Melville, MT · 29 mi
590285a
Fishtail, MT · 30 mi

Montana planting zones →

Questions about 59069

What planting zone is ZIP code 59069?

ZIP code 59069 (Reed Point, 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 Reed Point, MT?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 59069 is May 27; after June 12 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Columbus station.

When is the first frost in Reed Point, MT?

The median first fall frost near 59069 is September 14, giving a median frost-free growing season of 108 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 59069?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Apr 1 – Apr 15 and set transplants outside around Jun 3 – Jun 17, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 59069 get?

About 18.8 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Big Timber 8.2 Sse station).

How hot do summers get in Reed Point, MT?

The average high peaks at 85 °F in July, with about 28 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 59069 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Yawdim at the center of ZIP 59069: clay, well drained, pH about 7.2 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Reed Point, MT in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 59069 came on Mar 3 in 2026, 32 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 4), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Reed Point, MT?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 59069 is 15 h 43 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 59069 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 59069 in zone 4b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 5a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.