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

Planting zone for 59262 — Savage, MT

ZIP code 59262 (Savage, Richland County) is in USDA zone 4a: the coldest winter night averages −30 to −25 °F. The median last spring frost is May 12 and the first fall frost September 25.

Where ZIP 59262 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 12
First frostSep 25
2012 zone4a

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 4a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Savage, 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 Savage, MT

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 12median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 26only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostSeptember 25median — 10% chance by Sep 12
Growing season135 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 3 and returns around October 4.

From the NOAA station Savage, MT — 8 miles away, elevation 1,978 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 59262

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 31 – Apr 14
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 31 – Apr 21
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 3 – Mar 17
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 21 – May 5
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 14 – Apr 28
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 21 – May 5
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 14 – Apr 28
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 21 – May 5
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 17 – Mar 31
TomatoesTransplant · May 19 – Jun 2
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 3 – Mar 17
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 26 – Jun 9
BeansSow outdoors · May 19 – Jun 2
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 19 – Jun 2
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 19 – Jun 2
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Jul 31 – Aug 14
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 11 – Oct 16
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 12) and first fall frost (Sep 25) 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 59262 came on Apr 9 — 6 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 15).

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 Savage, MT

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 59262 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 classPrime farmland if irrigatedUSDA classification

Map unit: Williams-Vida loams, 0 to 4 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 59262; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Savage, MT

Summer high88 °Faverage high, July
Winter low7 °Faverage low, January
Hot days33days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights176nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,610base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 58 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day8 h 26 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation15.3 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 29 °F, low 7 °F 29°7° JanFebruary: average high 34 °F, low 11 °F 34°11° FebMarch: average high 47 °F, low 21 °F 47°21° MarApril: average high 61 °F, low 32 °F 61°32° AprMay: average high 72 °F, low 43 °F 72°43° MayJune: average high 80 °F, low 52 °F 80°52° JunJuly: average high 88 °F, low 57 °F 88°57° JulAugust: average high 88 °F, low 55 °F 88°55° AugSeptember: average high 77 °F, low 45 °F 77°45° SepOctober: average high 60 °F, low 34 °F 60°34° OctNovember: average high 44 °F, low 21 °F 44°21° NovDecember: average high 32 °F, low 11 °F 32°11° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″January: 0.35 in precipitation 0.3 JanFebruary: 0.34 in precipitation 0.3 FebMarch: 0.60 in precipitation 0.6 MarApril: 1.31 in precipitation 1.3 AprMay: 2.62 in precipitation 2.6 MayJune: 2.60 in precipitation 2.6 JunJuly: 2.49 in precipitation 2.5 JulAugust: 1.51 in precipitation 1.5 AugSeptember: 1.47 in precipitation 1.5 SepOctober: 1.16 in precipitation 1.2 OctNovember: 0.49 in precipitation 0.5 NovDecember: 0.38 in precipitation 0.4 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Savage, MT (8 mi away); precipitation: Savage 1.0 S, MT (7 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 4a.

592174a
Crane, MT · 14 mi
593154a
Bloomfield, MT · 18 mi
592434a
Lambert, MT · 20 mi
592704a
Sidney, MT · 21 mi
593304a
Glendive, MT · 28 mi
592214a
Fairview, MT · 32 mi
588384a
Cartwright, ND · 34 mi
586214a
Beach, ND · 36 mi

Montana planting zones →

Questions about 59262

What planting zone is ZIP code 59262?

ZIP code 59262 (Savage, 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 Savage, MT?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 59262 is May 12; after May 26 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Savage station.

When is the first frost in Savage, MT?

The median first fall frost near 59262 is September 25, giving a median frost-free growing season of 135 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 59262?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 17 – Mar 31 and set transplants outside around May 19 – Jun 2, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 59262 get?

About 15.3 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Savage 1.0 S station).

How hot do summers get in Savage, MT?

The average high peaks at 88 °F in July, with about 33 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 59262 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Williams at the center of ZIP 59262: loam, well drained, pH about 7.0 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Savage, MT in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 59262 came on Apr 9 in 2026, 6 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 15), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Savage, MT?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 59262 is 15 h 58 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).