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

Planting zone for 59417 — Browning, MT

ZIP code 59417 (Browning, Glacier County) is in USDA zone 4a: the coldest winter night averages −30 to −25 °F. The median last spring frost is June 8 and the first fall frost September 5.

Where ZIP 59417 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 frostJun 8

First frostSep 5

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 Browning, 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 Browning, MT

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostJune 8median — 50% chance of a later frost

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

First fall frostSeptember 5median — 10% chance by Aug 20

Growing season88 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 21 and returns around September 23.

From the NOAA station E Glacier, MT — 12 miles away, elevation 4,807 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 59417

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Apr 27 – May 11

SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 27 – May 18

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 30 – Apr 13

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · May 18 – Jun 1

Onion setsPlant outdoors · May 11 – May 25

PotatoesPlant outdoors · May 18 – Jun 1

LettuceSow outdoors · May 11 – May 25

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · May 18 – Jun 1

TomatoesStart indoors · Apr 13 – Apr 27

TomatoesTransplant · Jun 15 – Jun 29

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 30 – Apr 13

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Jun 22 – Jul 6

BeansSow outdoors · Jun 15 – Jun 29

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Jun 15 – Jun 29

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Jun 15 – Jun 29

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Jul 11 – Jul 25

GarlicPlant cloves · Aug 22 – Sep 26

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Jun 8) and first fall frost (Sep 5) 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 59417 came on Apr 10 — 15 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 25).

average
Apr 252026
Apr 10

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 Browning, MT.

Soil in Browning, MT

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 59417 is Williams — cobbly loam, well drained.

TextureCobbly loama 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 classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Williams complex, hilly.

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 59417; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Browning, MT

Summer high74 °Faverage high, July

Winter low13 °Faverage low, January

Hot days2days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights201nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days903base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day16 h 08 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day8 h 17 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation30.4 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: E Glacier, MT (12 mi away); precipitation: E Glacier, MT (12 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

594274a

Cut Bank, MT · 20 mi

594484b

Heart Butte, MT · 21 mi

594344b

East Glacier Park, MT · 25 mi

West Glacier, MT · 33 mi

Montana planting zones →

Questions about 59417

What planting zone is ZIP code 59417?

ZIP code 59417 (Browning, 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 Browning, MT?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 59417 is June 8; after July 1 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, E Glacier station.

When is the first frost in Browning, MT?

The median first fall frost near 59417 is September 5, giving a median frost-free growing season of 88 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 59417?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Apr 13 – Apr 27 and set transplants outside around Jun 15 – Jun 29, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 59417 get?

About 30.4 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, E Glacier station).

How hot do summers get in Browning, MT?

The average high peaks at 74 °F in July, with about 2 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 59417 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Williams at the center of ZIP 59417: cobbly loam, well drained, pH about 7.0 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Browning, MT in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 59417 came on Apr 10 in 2026, 15 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 25), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Browning, MT?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 59417 is 16 h 08 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).