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

Planting zone for 59077 — Sand Springs, MT

ZIP code 59077 (Sand Springs, Garfield County) is in USDA zone 4b: the coldest winter night averages −25 to −20 °F. The median last spring frost is May 5 and the first fall frost October 4.

Where ZIP 59077 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 5
First frostOct 4
2012 zone4a

Was 4a 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 4b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Sand Springs, 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 Sand Springs, MT

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 5median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 26only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 4median — 10% chance by Sep 22
Growing season151 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 20 and returns around October 14.

From the NOAA station Mosby 4 Ene, MT — 19 miles away, elevation 2,910 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 59077

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 24 – Apr 7
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 24 – Apr 14
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 24 – Mar 10
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 14 – Apr 28
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 7 – Apr 21
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 14 – Apr 28
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 7 – Apr 21
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 14 – Apr 28
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 10 – Mar 24
TomatoesTransplant · May 12 – May 26
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 24 – Mar 10
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 19 – Jun 2
BeansSow outdoors · May 12 – May 26
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 12 – May 26
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 12 – May 26
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 9 – Aug 23
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 20 – Oct 25
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 5) and first fall frost (Oct 4) 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 59077 came on Mar 23 — 16 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 8).

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.

Trees 23

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 87

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 229

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 155

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 Sand Springs, MT.

Soil in Sand Springs, MT

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 59077 is Cambeth — silt loam, well drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables
pH7.9alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter2%moderate
Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Cambeth-Twilight-Cabbart complex, 4 to 15 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 59077; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Sand Springs, MT

Summer high88 °Faverage high, July
Winter low14 °Faverage low, January
Hot days35days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights159nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,704base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 56 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day8 h 28 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation14.5 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 34 °F, low 14 °F 34°14° JanFebruary: average high 38 °F, low 17 °F 38°17° FebMarch: average high 49 °F, low 26 °F 49°26° MarApril: average high 59 °F, low 35 °F 59°35° AprMay: average high 68 °F, low 44 °F 68°44° MayJune: average high 78 °F, low 53 °F 78°53° JunJuly: average high 88 °F, low 60 °F 88°60° JulAugust: average high 87 °F, low 58 °F 87°58° AugSeptember: average high 76 °F, low 48 °F 76°48° SepOctober: average high 60 °F, low 37 °F 60°37° OctNovember: average high 46 °F, low 25 °F 46°25° NovDecember: average high 37 °F, low 17 °F 37°17° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″January: 0.43 in precipitation 0.4 JanFebruary: 0.39 in precipitation 0.4 FebMarch: 0.56 in precipitation 0.6 MarApril: 1.33 in precipitation 1.3 AprMay: 2.63 in precipitation 2.6 MayJune: 2.85 in precipitation 2.9 JunJuly: 1.87 in precipitation 1.9 JulAugust: 1.18 in precipitation 1.2 AugSeptember: 1.23 in precipitation 1.2 SepOctober: 1.17 in precipitation 1.2 OctNovember: 0.47 in precipitation 0.5 NovDecember: 0.39 in precipitation 0.4 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Mosby 4 Ene, MT (19 mi away); precipitation: Mosby 4 Ene, MT (19 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

593184b
Brusett, MT · 18 mi
590584b
Mosby, MT · 19 mi
590874b
Winnett, MT · 31 mi
593374a
Jordan, MT · 38 mi
590544b
Melstone, MT · 41 mi
590394b
Ingomar, MT · 41 mi
590834b
Sumatra, MT · 47 mi
590594b
Musselshell, MT · 56 mi

Montana planting zones →

Questions about 59077

What planting zone is ZIP code 59077?

ZIP code 59077 (Sand Springs, 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 Sand Springs, MT?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 59077 is May 5; after May 26 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Mosby 4 Ene station.

When is the first frost in Sand Springs, MT?

The median first fall frost near 59077 is October 4, giving a median frost-free growing season of 151 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 59077?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 10 – Mar 24 and set transplants outside around May 12 – May 26, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 59077 get?

About 14.5 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Mosby 4 Ene station).

How hot do summers get in Sand Springs, MT?

The average high peaks at 88 °F in July, with about 35 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 59077 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Cambeth at the center of ZIP 59077: silt loam, well drained, pH about 7.9 (alkaline).

Did spring come early in Sand Springs, MT in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 59077 came on Mar 23 in 2026, 16 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 8), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Sand Springs, MT?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 59077 is 15 h 56 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 59077 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 59077 in zone 4a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 4b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.