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

Planting zone for 59479 — Stanford, MT

ZIP code 59479 (Stanford, Judith Basin County) is in USDA zone 4b: the coldest winter night averages −25 to −20 °F. The median last spring frost is May 25 and the first fall frost September 21.

Where ZIP 59479 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.

Zone4b−25 to −20 °F
Coldest night−31.7 to −28.9 °C
Last frostMay 25
First frostSep 21
2012 zone4a

Was 4a 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 4b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Stanford, 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 Stanford, MT

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 25median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsJune 15only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostSeptember 21median — 10% chance by Sep 6
Growing season118 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 10 and returns around October 1.

From the NOAA station Stanford, MT — 9 miles away, elevation 4,859 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 59479

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Apr 13 – Apr 27
SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 13 – May 4
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 16 – Mar 30
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · May 4 – May 18
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 27 – May 11
PotatoesPlant outdoors · May 4 – May 18
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 27 – May 11
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · May 4 – May 18
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 30 – Apr 13
TomatoesTransplant · Jun 1 – Jun 15
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 16 – Mar 30
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Jun 8 – Jun 22
BeansSow outdoors · Jun 1 – Jun 15
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Jun 1 – Jun 15
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Jun 1 – Jun 15
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Jul 27 – Aug 10
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 7 – Oct 12
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 25) and first fall frost (Sep 21) 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 59479 came on Mar 24 — 30 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (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 4b in Montana

506 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Montana, and rated by the USDA to survive −25 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 4b. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

Trees 23

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 87

alderleaf buckthorn3 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −33 °Falderleaf mountain mahogany15 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −41 °Falpine laurel1 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −28 °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 °F

Wildflowers & perennials 229

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 alpine speedwell1 ft · blooms summer · medium shade tolerance · to −28 °FAmerican bistort1.5 ft · blooms mid spring · high shade tolerance · to −38 °F

Grasses 155

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 Stanford, MT.

Soil in Stanford, MT

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 59479 is Raynesford — stony loam, well drained.

TextureStony loama good balance for most vegetables
pH7.9alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter4.5%moderate
Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Raynesford and Adel stony loams, 4 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 59479; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Stanford, MT

Summer high82 °Faverage high, July
Winter low16 °Faverage low, January
Hot days11days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights172nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days1,777base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 54 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day8 h 30 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation17.3 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°32 °FJanuary: average high 38 °F, low 16 °F 38°16° JanFebruary: average high 38 °F, low 16 °F 38°16° FebMarch: average high 46 °F, low 23 °F 46°23° MarApril: average high 54 °F, low 30 °F 54°30° AprMay: average high 63 °F, low 38 °F 63°38° MayJune: average high 71 °F, low 46 °F 71°46° JunJuly: average high 82 °F, low 52 °F 82°52° JulAugust: average high 81 °F, low 52 °F 81°52° AugSeptember: average high 71 °F, low 44 °F 71°44° SepOctober: average high 57 °F, low 33 °F 57°33° OctNovember: average high 45 °F, low 23 °F 45°23° NovDecember: average high 38 °F, low 16 °F 38°16° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″January: 0.57 in precipitation 0.6 JanFebruary: 0.48 in precipitation 0.5 FebMarch: 0.86 in precipitation 0.9 MarApril: 1.90 in precipitation 1.9 AprMay: 3.10 in precipitation 3.1 MayJune: 3.00 in precipitation 3.0 JunJuly: 1.70 in precipitation 1.7 JulAugust: 1.61 in precipitation 1.6 AugSeptember: 1.50 in precipitation 1.5 SepOctober: 1.31 in precipitation 1.3 OctNovember: 0.69 in precipitation 0.7 NovDecember: 0.60 in precipitation 0.6 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Stanford, MT (9 mi away); precipitation: Stanford, MT (9 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 4b.

594524b
Hobson, MT · 15 mi
594474b
Geyser, MT · 19 mi
594624b
Moccasin, MT · 20 mi
594654b
Neihart, MT · 20 mi
594694b
Raynesford, MT · 21 mi
594244b
Coffee Creek, MT · 24 mi
594634b
Monarch, MT · 26 mi
594184b
Buffalo, MT · 26 mi

Montana planting zones →

Questions about 59479

What planting zone is ZIP code 59479?

ZIP code 59479 (Stanford, MT) is in USDA hardiness zone 4b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −25 to −20 °F (−31.7 to −28.9 °C).

When is the last frost in Stanford, MT?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 59479 is May 25; after June 15 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Stanford station.

When is the first frost in Stanford, MT?

The median first fall frost near 59479 is September 21, giving a median frost-free growing season of 118 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 59479?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 30 – Apr 13 and set transplants outside around Jun 1 – Jun 15, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 59479 get?

About 17.3 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Stanford station).

How hot do summers get in Stanford, MT?

The average high peaks at 82 °F in July, with about 11 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 59479 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Raynesford at the center of ZIP 59479: stony loam, well drained, pH about 7.9 (alkaline).

Did spring come early in Stanford, MT in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 59479 came on Mar 24 in 2026, 30 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 23), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Stanford, MT?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 59479 is 15 h 54 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 59479 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 59479 in zone 4a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 4b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.