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

Planting zone for 59116 — Billings, MT

ZIP code 59116 (Billings, Yellowstone County) is in USDA zone 5a: the coldest winter night averages −20 to −15 °F. The median last spring frost is May 10 and the first fall frost October 1.

Where ZIP 59116 is

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 10
First frostOct 1
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 Billings, 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 Billings, MT

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 10median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 24only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 1median — 10% chance by Sep 19
Growing season142 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 27 and returns around October 12.

From the NOAA station Billings Wtp, MT — within 1 mile, elevation 3,097 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 59116

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 29 – Apr 12
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 29 – Apr 19
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 1 – Mar 15
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 19 – May 3
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 12 – Apr 26
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 19 – May 3
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 12 – Apr 26
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 19 – May 3
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 15 – Mar 29
TomatoesTransplant · May 17 – May 31
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 1 – Mar 15
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 24 – Jun 7
BeansSow outdoors · May 17 – May 31
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 17 – May 31
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 17 – May 31
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 6 – Aug 20
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 17 – Oct 22
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 10) and first fall frost (Oct 1) 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 59116 came on Feb 27 — 32 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 31).

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 Billings, MT.

Soil in Billings, MT

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 59116 is Lohmiller — silty clay, well drained.

TextureSilty clayholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up
pH7.5slightly alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter0.75%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly
Farmland classPrime farmland if irrigated and the product of I (soil erodibility) x C (climate factor) does not exceed 60USDA classification

Map unit: Lohmiller silty clay, 0 to 1 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 59116; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Billings, MT

Summer high86 °Faverage high, July
Winter low14 °Faverage low, January
Hot days41days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights157nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,330base 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)
Precipitation15.4 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall35 inper year; 52 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

0°10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 37 °F, low 14 °F 37°14° JanFebruary: average high 41 °F, low 17 °F 41°17° FebMarch: average high 51 °F, low 25 °F 51°25° MarApril: average high 59 °F, low 33 °F 59°33° AprMay: average high 68 °F, low 42 °F 68°42° MayJune: average high 77 °F, low 50 °F 77°50° JunJuly: average high 86 °F, low 56 °F 86°56° JulAugust: average high 85 °F, low 54 °F 85°54° AugSeptember: average high 75 °F, low 45 °F 75°45° SepOctober: average high 60 °F, low 34 °F 60°34° OctNovember: average high 47 °F, low 24 °F 47°24° NovDecember: average high 37 °F, low 16 °F 37°16° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″3″January: 0.56 in precipitation, 7.5 in snowfall 0.6❄8 JanFebruary: 0.57 in precipitation, 4.7 in snowfall 0.6❄5 FebMarch: 0.97 in precipitation, 4.9 in snowfall 1.0❄5 MarApril: 1.88 in precipitation, 3.2 in snowfall 1.9❄3 AprMay: 2.47 in precipitation, 0.1 in snowfall 2.5 MayJune: 2.45 in precipitation 2.5 JunJuly: 1.31 in precipitation 1.3 JulAugust: 0.80 in precipitation 0.8 AugSeptember: 1.52 in precipitation 1.5 SepOctober: 1.60 in precipitation, 1.7 in snowfall 1.6❄2 OctNovember: 0.68 in precipitation, 3.1 in snowfall 0.7❄3 NovDecember: 0.62 in precipitation, 9.8 in snowfall 0.6❄10 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Billings Wtp, MT (within 1 mile); precipitation: Billings Wtp, MT (within 1 mile). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 5a.

591035a
Billings, MT · <1 mi
591045a
Billings, MT · <1 mi
591085a
Billings, MT · <1 mi
591115a
Billings, MT · <1 mi
591125a
Billings, MT · <1 mi
591145a
Billings, MT · <1 mi
591155a
Billings, MT · <1 mi
591175a
Billings, MT · <1 mi

All 14 ZIP codes in Billings → · Montana planting zones →

Questions about 59116

What planting zone is ZIP code 59116?

ZIP code 59116 (Billings, 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 Billings, MT?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 59116 is May 10; after May 24 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Billings Wtp station.

When is the first frost in Billings, MT?

The median first fall frost near 59116 is October 1, giving a median frost-free growing season of 142 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 59116?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 15 – Mar 29 and set transplants outside around May 17 – May 31, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 59116 get?

About 15.4 inches of precipitation a year and 35 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Billings Wtp station).

How hot do summers get in Billings, MT?

The average high peaks at 86 °F in July, with about 41 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 59116 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Lohmiller at the center of ZIP 59116: silty clay, well drained, pH about 7.5 (slightly alkaline).

Did spring come early in Billings, MT in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 59116 came on Feb 27 in 2026, 32 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 31), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Billings, MT?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 59116 is 15 h 43 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 59116 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 59116 in zone 4b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 5a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.