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

Planting zone for 59256 — Raymond, MT

ZIP code 59256 (Raymond, Sheridan County) is in USDA zone 4a: the coldest winter night averages −30 to −25 °F. The median last spring frost is May 19 and the first fall frost September 23.

Where ZIP 59256 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.

Zone4a−30 to −25 °F

Coldest night−34.4 to −31.7 °C

Last frostMay 19

First frostSep 23

2012 zone3b

Was 3b 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 4a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Raymond, 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 Raymond, MT

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMay 19median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsJune 1only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostSeptember 23median — 10% chance by Sep 11

Growing season125 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 9 and returns around September 30.

From the NOAA station Raymond Border Stn, MT — 6 miles away, elevation 2,346 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 59256

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Apr 7 – Apr 21

SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 7 – Apr 28

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 10 – Mar 24

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 28 – May 12

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 21 – May 5

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 28 – May 12

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 21 – May 5

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 28 – May 12

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 24 – Apr 7

TomatoesTransplant · May 26 – Jun 9

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 10 – Mar 24

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Jun 2 – Jun 16

BeansSow outdoors · May 26 – Jun 9

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 26 – Jun 9

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 26 – Jun 9

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Jul 29 – Aug 12

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 9 – Oct 14

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 19) and first fall frost (Sep 23) 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 59256 came on Apr 21 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Apr 22).

average
Apr 222026
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).

Native plants for zone 4a in Montana

439 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Montana, and rated by the USDA to survive −30 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 4a. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

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 Raymond, MT.

Soil in Raymond, MT

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 59256 is Williams — loam, well drained.

TextureLoama good balance for most vegetables

pH7.0neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter3.5%moderate

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Williams-Zahill loams, undulating.

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 59256; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Raymond, MT

Summer high81 °Faverage high, July

Winter low2 °Faverage low, January

Hot days13days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights188nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days1,937base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day16 h 11 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day8 h 14 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation15.1 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall31 inper year

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Raymond Border Stn, MT (6 mi away); precipitation: Raymond Border Stn, MT (6 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

592543b

Plentywood, MT · 11 mi

Medicine Lake, MT · 27 mi

592193b

Dagmar, MT · 29 mi

Montana planting zones →

Questions about 59256

What planting zone is ZIP code 59256?

ZIP code 59256 (Raymond, MT) is in USDA hardiness zone 4a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −30 to −25 °F (−34.4 to −31.7 °C).

When is the last frost in Raymond, MT?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 59256 is May 19; after June 1 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Raymond Border Stn station.

When is the first frost in Raymond, MT?

The median first fall frost near 59256 is September 23, giving a median frost-free growing season of 125 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 59256?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 24 – Apr 7 and set transplants outside around May 26 – Jun 9, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 59256 get?

About 15.1 inches of precipitation a year and 31 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Raymond Border Stn station).

How hot do summers get in Raymond, MT?

The average high peaks at 81 °F in July, with about 13 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 59256 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Williams at the center of ZIP 59256: loam, well drained, pH about 7.0 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Raymond, MT in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 59256 came on Apr 21 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Apr 22), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Raymond, MT?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 59256 is 16 h 11 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 59256 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 59256 in zone 3b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 4a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.