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

Planting zone for 59274 — Vida, MT

ZIP code 59274 (Vida, McCone County) is in USDA zone 4a: the coldest winter night averages −30 to −25 °F. The median last spring frost is May 16 and the first fall frost September 22.

Where ZIP 59274 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 16

First frostSep 22

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 Vida, 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 Vida, MT

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMay 16median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 31only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostSeptember 22median — 10% chance by Sep 10

Growing season129 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 4 and returns around October 1.

From the NOAA station Vida 6 Ne, MT — 3 miles away, elevation 2,284 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 59274

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Apr 4 – Apr 18

SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 4 – Apr 25

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 7 – Mar 21

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 25 – May 9

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 18 – May 2

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 25 – May 9

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 18 – May 2

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 25 – May 9

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 21 – Apr 4

TomatoesTransplant · May 23 – Jun 6

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 7 – Mar 21

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 30 – Jun 13

BeansSow outdoors · May 23 – Jun 6

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 23 – Jun 6

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 23 – Jun 6

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Jul 28 – Aug 11

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 8 – Oct 13

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 16) and first fall frost (Sep 22) 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 59274 came on Apr 8 — 8 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 16).

average
Apr 162026
Apr 8

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 Vida, MT.

Soil in Vida, MT

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 59274 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 59274; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Vida, MT

Summer high85 °Faverage high, July

Winter low5 °Faverage low, January

Hot days25days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights183nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,232base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day16 h 01 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day8 h 23 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation14.2 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Vida 6 Ne, MT (3 mi away); precipitation: Vida 6 Ne, MT (3 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 4a.

592594a

Richey, MT · 19 mi

592014a

Wolf Point, MT · 23 mi

Fort Peck, MT · 37 mi

593154a

Bloomfield, MT · 37 mi

Montana planting zones →

Questions about 59274

What planting zone is ZIP code 59274?

ZIP code 59274 (Vida, 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 Vida, MT?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 59274 is May 16; after May 31 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Vida 6 Ne station.

When is the first frost in Vida, MT?

The median first fall frost near 59274 is September 22, giving a median frost-free growing season of 129 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 59274?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 21 – Apr 4 and set transplants outside around May 23 – Jun 6, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 59274 get?

About 14.2 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Vida 6 Ne station).

How hot do summers get in Vida, MT?

The average high peaks at 85 °F in July, with about 25 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 59274 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Williams at the center of ZIP 59274: loam, well drained, pH about 7.0 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Vida, MT in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 59274 came on Apr 8 in 2026, 8 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 16), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Vida, MT?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 59274 is 16 h 01 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 59274 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 59274 in zone 3b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 4a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.