Data: 2023 USDA zones (PRISM/OSU) · NOAA 1991–2020 normals · updated Oct 29, 2026

Planting zone for 59253 — Peerless, MT

ZIP code 59253 (Peerless, Daniels County) is in USDA zone 3b: the coldest winter night averages −35 to −30 °F. The median last spring frost is May 28 and the first fall frost September 6.

Where ZIP 59253 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 frostMay 28

First frostSep 6

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 Peerless, 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 Peerless, MT

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free

Last spring frostMay 28median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsJune 13only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostSeptember 6median — 10% chance by Aug 24

Growing season99 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 19 and returns around September 16.

From the NOAA station Scobey 4 Nw, MT — 19 miles away, elevation 2,392 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 59253

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Apr 16 – Apr 30

SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 16 – May 7

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 19 – Apr 2

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · May 7 – May 21

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 30 – May 14

PotatoesPlant outdoors · May 7 – May 21

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 30 – May 14

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · May 7 – May 21

TomatoesStart indoors · Apr 2 – Apr 16

TomatoesTransplant · Jun 4 – Jun 18

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 19 – Apr 2

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Jun 11 – Jun 25

BeansSow outdoors · Jun 4 – Jun 18

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Jun 4 – Jun 18

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Jun 4 – Jun 18

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Jul 12 – Jul 26

GarlicPlant cloves · Aug 23 – Sep 27

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 28) and first fall frost (Sep 6) 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 59253 came on Apr 21 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Apr 23).

average
Apr 232026
Apr 21

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).

Soil in Peerless, MT

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 59253 is Martinsdale — loam, well drained.

TextureLoama good balance for most vegetables

pH7.2neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter3%moderate

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Martinsdale loam, 1 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 59253; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Peerless, MT

Summer high84 °Faverage high, July

Winter low−1 °Faverage low, January

Hot days20days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights207nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days1,839base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day16 h 10 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day8 h 16 mindaylight on December 21

Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)

Precipitation13.5 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall23 inper year

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Scobey 4 Nw, MT (19 mi away); precipitation: Scobey 4 Nw, MT (19 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.

Flaxville, MT · 32 mi

592254a

Frazer, MT · 33 mi

592763b

Whitetail, MT · 33 mi

592503b

Opheim, MT · 36 mi

Montana planting zones →

Questions about 59253

What planting zone is ZIP code 59253?

ZIP code 59253 (Peerless, 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 Peerless, MT?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 59253 is May 28; after June 13 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Scobey 4 Nw station.

When is the first frost in Peerless, MT?

The median first fall frost near 59253 is September 6, giving a median frost-free growing season of 99 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 59253?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Apr 2 – Apr 16 and set transplants outside around Jun 4 – Jun 18, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 59253 get?

About 13.5 inches of precipitation a year and 23 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Scobey 4 Nw station).

How hot do summers get in Peerless, MT?

The average high peaks at 84 °F in July, with about 20 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 59253 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Martinsdale at the center of ZIP 59253: loam, well drained, pH about 7.2 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Peerless, MT in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 59253 came on Apr 21 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Apr 23), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Peerless, MT?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 59253 is 16 h 10 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).