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

Planting zone for 59087 — Winnett, MT

ZIP code 59087 (Winnett, Petroleum County) is in USDA zone 4b: the coldest winter night averages −25 to −20 °F. The median last spring frost is May 18 and the first fall frost September 21.

Where ZIP 59087 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 18
First frostSep 21
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 Winnett, 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 Winnett, MT

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 18median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 31only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostSeptember 21median — 10% chance by Sep 7
Growing season124 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 7 and returns around September 29.

From the NOAA station Valentine, MT — 19 miles away, elevation 2,904 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 59087

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Apr 6 – Apr 20
SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 6 – Apr 27
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 9 – Mar 23
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 27 – May 11
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 20 – May 4
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 27 – May 11
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 20 – May 4
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 27 – May 11
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 23 – Apr 6
TomatoesTransplant · May 25 – Jun 8
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 9 – Mar 23
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Jun 1 – Jun 15
BeansSow outdoors · May 25 – Jun 8
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 25 – Jun 8
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 25 – Jun 8
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Jul 27 – Aug 10
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 7 – Oct 12
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 18) and first fall frost (Sep 21) 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 59087 came on Mar 21 — 16 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 6).

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

Shrubs 87

Wildflowers & perennials 229

Grasses 155

Vines 3

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 Winnett, MT.

Soil in Winnett, MT

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 59087 is Cabbart — loam, well drained.

TextureLoama good balance for most vegetables
pH8.2alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter1.5%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Cabbart-Delpoint, calcareous-Rock outcrop complex, 8 to 45 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 59087; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Winnett, MT

Summer high86 °Faverage high, July
Winter low6 °Faverage low, January
Hot days29days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights193nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,051base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 55 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day8 h 29 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation15.4 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 33 °F, low 6 °F 33°6° JanFebruary: average high 36 °F, low 10 °F 36°10° FebMarch: average high 47 °F, low 19 °F 47°19° MarApril: average high 57 °F, low 29 °F 57°29° AprMay: average high 66 °F, low 39 °F 66°39° MayJune: average high 75 °F, low 49 °F 75°49° JunJuly: average high 86 °F, low 54 °F 86°54° JulAugust: average high 85 °F, low 52 °F 85°52° AugSeptember: average high 74 °F, low 42 °F 74°42° SepOctober: average high 59 °F, low 30 °F 59°30° OctNovember: average high 45 °F, low 18 °F 45°18° NovDecember: average high 35 °F, low 9 °F 35°9° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″January: 0.46 in precipitation 0.5 JanFebruary: 0.41 in precipitation 0.4 FebMarch: 0.63 in precipitation 0.6 MarApril: 1.57 in precipitation 1.6 AprMay: 2.94 in precipitation 2.9 MayJune: 2.85 in precipitation 2.9 JunJuly: 1.69 in precipitation 1.7 JulAugust: 1.46 in precipitation 1.5 AugSeptember: 1.17 in precipitation 1.2 SepOctober: 1.23 in precipitation 1.2 OctNovember: 0.52 in precipitation 0.5 NovDecember: 0.46 in precipitation 0.5 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Valentine, MT (19 mi away); precipitation: Winnett 6nne, MT (6 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 4b.

Montana planting zones →

Questions about 59087

What planting zone is ZIP code 59087?

ZIP code 59087 (Winnett, 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 Winnett, MT?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 59087 is May 18; after May 31 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Valentine station.

When is the first frost in Winnett, MT?

The median first fall frost near 59087 is September 21, giving a median frost-free growing season of 124 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 59087?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 23 – Apr 6 and set transplants outside around May 25 – Jun 8, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 59087 get?

About 15.4 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Winnett 6nne station).

How hot do summers get in Winnett, MT?

The average high peaks at 86 °F in July, with about 29 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 59087 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Cabbart at the center of ZIP 59087: loam, well drained, pH about 8.2 (alkaline).

Did spring come early in Winnett, MT in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 59087 came on Mar 21 in 2026, 16 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 6), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Winnett, MT?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 59087 is 15 h 55 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 59087 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 59087 in zone 4a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 4b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.