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

Planting zone for 59276 — Whitetail, MT

ZIP code 59276 (Whitetail, 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 59276 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 Whitetail, 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 Whitetail, 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 — 15 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 59276

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 59276 came on Apr 23 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Apr 23).

average
Apr 232026
Apr 23

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.

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 Whitetail, MT.

Soil in Whitetail, MT

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 59276 is Cabba — silt loam, well drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables

pH8.2alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter2%moderate

Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Cabba-Cambert-Cherry silt loams, 8 to 15 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 59276; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Whitetail, 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 12 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)

Precipitation15.3 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: Scobey 4 Nw, MT (15 mi away); precipitation: Outlook 5.6 Wnw, MT (15 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 · 18 mi

592573b

Redstone, MT · 19 mi

592543b

Plentywood, MT · 30 mi

Medicine Lake, MT · 44 mi

Montana planting zones →

Questions about 59276

What planting zone is ZIP code 59276?

ZIP code 59276 (Whitetail, 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 Whitetail, MT?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 59276 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 Whitetail, MT?

The median first fall frost near 59276 is September 6, giving a median frost-free growing season of 99 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 59276?

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 59276 get?

About 15.3 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Outlook 5.6 Wnw station).

How hot do summers get in Whitetail, 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 59276 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Cabba at the center of ZIP 59276: silt loam, well drained, pH about 8.2 (alkaline).

Did spring come early in Whitetail, MT in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 59276 came on Apr 23 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 Whitetail, MT?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 59276 is 16 h 12 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).