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

Planting zone for 59416 — Brady, MT

ZIP code 59416 (Brady, Pondera County) is in USDA zone 4a: the coldest winter night averages −30 to −25 °F. The median last spring frost is May 13 and the first fall frost September 29.

Where ZIP 59416 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 13
First frostSep 29
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 Brady, 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 Brady, MT

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 13median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 29only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostSeptember 29median — 10% chance by Sep 16
Growing season137 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 2 and returns around October 6.

From the NOAA station Brady 27 Ene (The Knees), MT — 12 miles away, elevation 3,327 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 59416

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Apr 1 – Apr 15
SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 1 – Apr 22
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 4 – Mar 18
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 22 – May 6
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 15 – Apr 29
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 22 – May 6
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 15 – Apr 29
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 22 – May 6
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 18 – Apr 1
TomatoesTransplant · May 20 – Jun 3
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 4 – Mar 18
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 27 – Jun 10
BeansSow outdoors · May 20 – Jun 3
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 20 – Jun 3
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 20 – Jun 3
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 4 – Aug 18
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 15 – Oct 20
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 13) and first fall frost (Sep 29) 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 59416 came on Mar 23 — 22 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 14).

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.

Trees 21

American elm120 ft · blooms early spring · medium shade tolerance · to −46 °Fbalsam poplar80 ft · blooms late spring · high shade tolerance · to −79 °Fblack locust60 ft · blooms spring · high shade tolerance · to −37 °Fboxelder60 ft · blooms early spring · low shade tolerance · to −46 °FDouglas-fir200 ft · blooms mid spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °Feastern cottonwood190 ft · blooms spring · high shade tolerance · to −43 °F

Shrubs 77

alderleaf buckthorn3 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −33 °Falderleaf mountain mahogany15 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −41 °FAmerican black currant3 ft · blooms early spring · to −46 °FAmerican plum24 ft · blooms mid spring · high shade tolerance · to −38 °Fantelope bitterbrush6 ft · blooms early spring · medium shade tolerance · to −36 °FBarclay's willow15 ft · high shade tolerance · to −43 °F

Wildflowers & perennials 189

alkali buttercup1 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Falpine bistort1 ft · blooms mid spring · high shade tolerance · to −38 °Falpine mountainsorrel1 ft · blooms mid summer · medium shade tolerance · to −43 °Falpine sweetvetch2 ft · blooms early summer · high shade tolerance · to −62 °FAmerican bistort1.5 ft · blooms mid spring · high shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican licorice4 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °F

Grasses 141

Alaska oniongrass3 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −33 °Falkali cordgrass3 ft · blooms late summer · high shade tolerance · to −38 °Falkali sacaton3 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −38 °FAlpine Meadow-Foxtail0.5 ft · blooms mid spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °Falpine timothy1.4 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −43 °Fanalogue sedge1.5 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °F

Vines 3

American bittersweet15 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Friverbank grape45 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °Fwestern white clematis1 ft · blooms mid summer · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °F

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 Brady, MT.

Soil in Brady, MT

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 59416 is Scobey — clay loam, well drained.

TextureClay loamholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up
pH6.8neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter2%moderate
Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly
Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Scobey-Kevin clay loams, 2 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 59416; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Brady, MT

Summer high83 °Faverage high, July
Winter low15 °Faverage low, January
Hot days22days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights152nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,014base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day16 h 03 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day8 h 22 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation12.5 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall43 inper year

Average high and low, by month

0°10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°32 °FJanuary: average high 32 °F, low 15 °F 32°15° JanFebruary: average high 37 °F, low 16 °F 37°16° FebMarch: average high 44 °F, low 23 °F 44°23° MarApril: average high 55 °F, low 32 °F 55°32° AprMay: average high 64 °F, low 41 °F 64°41° MayJune: average high 72 °F, low 48 °F 72°48° JunJuly: average high 83 °F, low 54 °F 83°54° JulAugust: average high 83 °F, low 53 °F 83°53° AugSeptember: average high 72 °F, low 45 °F 72°45° SepOctober: average high 58 °F, low 35 °F 58°35° OctNovember: average high 45 °F, low 26 °F 45°26° NovDecember: average high 34 °F, low 18 °F 34°18° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″3″January: 0.41 in precipitation, 7.5 in snowfall 0.4❄8 JanFebruary: 0.37 in precipitation, 6.1 in snowfall 0.4❄6 FebMarch: 0.48 in precipitation, 7.4 in snowfall 0.5❄7 MarApril: 1.24 in precipitation, 5.6 in snowfall 1.2❄6 AprMay: 1.99 in precipitation, 1.5 in snowfall 2.0❄2 MayJune: 2.67 in precipitation 2.7 JunJuly: 1.22 in precipitation 1.2 JulAugust: 1.13 in precipitation 1.1 AugSeptember: 1.14 in precipitation, 0.1 in snowfall 1.1 SepOctober: 0.87 in precipitation, 2 in snowfall 0.9❄2 OctNovember: 0.48 in precipitation, 6.1 in snowfall 0.5❄6 NovDecember: 0.49 in precipitation, 6.2 in snowfall 0.5❄6 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Brady 27 Ene (The Knees), MT (12 mi away); precipitation: Brady 27 Ene (The Knees), MT (12 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

594334a
Dutton, MT · 13 mi
594564a
Ledger, MT · 18 mi
594254a
Conrad, MT · 20 mi
594684b
Power, MT · 22 mi
594204a
Carter, MT · 27 mi
594404b
Floweree, MT · 28 mi
594044b
Great Falls, MT · 30 mi
594874a
Vaughn, MT · 32 mi

Montana planting zones →

Questions about 59416

What planting zone is ZIP code 59416?

ZIP code 59416 (Brady, 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 Brady, MT?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 59416 is May 13; after May 29 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Brady 27 Ene (The Knees) station.

When is the first frost in Brady, MT?

The median first fall frost near 59416 is September 29, giving a median frost-free growing season of 137 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 59416?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 18 – Apr 1 and set transplants outside around May 20 – Jun 3, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 59416 get?

About 12.5 inches of precipitation a year and 43 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Brady 27 Ene (The Knees) station).

How hot do summers get in Brady, MT?

The average high peaks at 83 °F in July, with about 22 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 59416 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Scobey at the center of ZIP 59416: clay loam, well drained, pH about 6.8 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Brady, MT in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 59416 came on Mar 23 in 2026, 22 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 14), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Brady, MT?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 59416 is 16 h 03 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).