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

Planting zone for 59244 — Larslan, MT

ZIP code 59244 (Larslan, Valley County) is in USDA zone 3b: the coldest winter night averages −35 to −30 °F. The median last spring frost is June 5 and the first fall frost September 2.

Where ZIP 59244 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.

Zone3b−35 to −30 °F
Coldest night−37.2 to −34.4 °C
Last frostJun 5
First frostSep 2
2012 zone3b

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 3b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Larslan, 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 Larslan, MT

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostJune 5median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsJune 23only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostSeptember 2median — 10% chance by Aug 15
Growing season89 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 24 and returns around September 14.

From the NOAA station Opheim 12 Sse, MT — 5 miles away, elevation 2,936 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 59244

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Apr 24 – May 8
SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 24 – May 15
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 27 – Apr 10
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · May 15 – May 29
Onion setsPlant outdoors · May 8 – May 22
PotatoesPlant outdoors · May 15 – May 29
LettuceSow outdoors · May 8 – May 22
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · May 15 – May 29
TomatoesStart indoors · Apr 10 – Apr 24
TomatoesTransplant · Jun 12 – Jun 26
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 27 – Apr 10
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Jun 19 – Jul 3
BeansSow outdoors · Jun 12 – Jun 26
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Jun 12 – Jun 26
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Jun 12 – Jun 26
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Jul 8 – Jul 22
GarlicPlant cloves · Aug 19 – Sep 23
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Jun 5) and first fall frost (Sep 2) 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 59244 came on Apr 24 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Apr 24).

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 3b in Montana

304 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Montana, and rated by the USDA to survive −35 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 3b. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

Trees 17

Shrubs 60

Wildflowers & perennials 109

Grasses 109

Vines 2

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 Larslan, MT.

Soil in Larslan, MT

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 59244 is Telstad — loam, well drained.

TextureLoama good balance for most vegetables
pH7.0neutral; 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: Telstad-Joplin loams, 2 to 8 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 59244; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Larslan, MT

Summer high77 °Faverage high, July
Winter low−3 °Faverage low, January
Hot days9days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights217nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days1,153base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day16 h 09 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day8 h 17 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation12.3 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall39 inper year; 102 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

−10°0°10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°32 °FJanuary: average high 18 °F, low -3 °F 18°−3° JanFebruary: average high 22 °F, low 0 °F 22°0° FebMarch: average high 34 °F, low 12 °F 34°12° MarApril: average high 49 °F, low 24 °F 49°24° AprMay: average high 61 °F, low 34 °F 61°34° MayJune: average high 69 °F, low 43 °F 69°43° JunJuly: average high 77 °F, low 48 °F 77°48° JulAugust: average high 77 °F, low 46 °F 77°46° AugSeptember: average high 66 °F, low 36 °F 66°36° SepOctober: average high 49 °F, low 24 °F 49°24° OctNovember: average high 33 °F, low 11 °F 33°11° NovDecember: average high 21 °F, low 1 °F 21°1° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″3″4″January: 0.34 in precipitation, 7.1 in snowfall 0.3❄7 JanFebruary: 0.16 in precipitation, 5.5 in snowfall 0.2❄6 FebMarch: 0.32 in precipitation, 5.2 in snowfall 0.3❄5 MarApril: 0.81 in precipitation, 3.1 in snowfall 0.8❄3 AprMay: 2.08 in precipitation, 1.5 in snowfall 2.1❄2 MayJune: 3.08 in precipitation 3.1 JunJuly: 2.08 in precipitation 2.1 JulAugust: 1.08 in precipitation 1.1 AugSeptember: 1.10 in precipitation, 0.2 in snowfall 1.1 SepOctober: 0.72 in precipitation, 2.5 in snowfall 0.7❄3 OctNovember: 0.32 in precipitation, 6.2 in snowfall 0.3❄6 NovDecember: 0.22 in precipitation, 7.3 in snowfall 0.2❄7 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Opheim 12 Sse, MT (5 mi away); precipitation: Opheim 12 Sse, MT (5 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

Montana planting zones →

Questions about 59244

What planting zone is ZIP code 59244?

ZIP code 59244 (Larslan, MT) is in USDA hardiness zone 3b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −35 to −30 °F (−37.2 to −34.4 °C).

When is the last frost in Larslan, MT?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 59244 is June 5; after June 23 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Opheim 12 Sse station.

When is the first frost in Larslan, MT?

The median first fall frost near 59244 is September 2, giving a median frost-free growing season of 89 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 59244?

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

How much rain and snow does 59244 get?

About 12.3 inches of precipitation a year and 39 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Opheim 12 Sse station).

How hot do summers get in Larslan, MT?

The average high peaks at 77 °F in July, with about 9 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 59244 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Telstad at the center of ZIP 59244: loam, well drained, pH about 7.0 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Larslan, MT in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 59244 came on Apr 24 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Apr 24), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Larslan, MT?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 59244 is 16 h 09 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).