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

Planting zone for 59480 — Stockett, MT

ZIP code 59480 (Stockett, Cascade County) is in USDA zone 4b: the coldest winter night averages −25 to −20 °F. The median last spring frost is May 22 and the first fall frost September 23.

Where ZIP 59480 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 22
First frostSep 23
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 Stockett, 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 Stockett, MT

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 22median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsJune 9only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostSeptember 23median — 10% chance by Sep 7
Growing season123 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 7 and returns around October 2.

From the NOAA station Raynesford 2 Nnw, MT — 17 miles away, elevation 4,216 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 59480

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Apr 10 – Apr 24
SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 10 – May 1
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 13 – Mar 27
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · May 1 – May 15
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 24 – May 8
PotatoesPlant outdoors · May 1 – May 15
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 24 – May 8
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · May 1 – May 15
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 27 – Apr 10
TomatoesTransplant · May 29 – Jun 12
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 13 – Mar 27
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Jun 5 – Jun 19
BeansSow outdoors · May 29 – Jun 12
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 29 – Jun 12
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 29 – Jun 12
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Jul 29 – Aug 12
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 9 – Oct 14
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 22) and first fall frost (Sep 23) 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 59480 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).

Soil in Stockett, MT

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 59480 is Monad — loam, well drained.

TextureLoama good balance for most vegetables
pH6.5neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter3%moderate
Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Monad and Libeg soils, steep.

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 59480; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Stockett, MT

Summer high83 °Faverage high, August
Winter low17 °Faverage low, January
Hot days14days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights165nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days1,804base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 56 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day8 h 29 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation21.6 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 37 °F, low 17 °F 37°17° JanFebruary: average high 38 °F, low 17 °F 38°17° FebMarch: average high 46 °F, low 23 °F 46°23° MarApril: average high 55 °F, low 31 °F 55°31° AprMay: average high 64 °F, low 39 °F 64°39° MayJune: average high 71 °F, low 46 °F 71°46° JunJuly: average high 82 °F, low 52 °F 82°52° JulAugust: average high 83 °F, low 51 °F 83°51° AugSeptember: average high 72 °F, low 43 °F 72°43° SepOctober: average high 57 °F, low 34 °F 57°34° OctNovember: average high 44 °F, low 25 °F 44°25° NovDecember: average high 37 °F, low 18 °F 37°18° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″January: 1.05 in precipitation 1.1 JanFebruary: 0.88 in precipitation 0.9 FebMarch: 1.27 in precipitation 1.3 MarApril: 2.51 in precipitation 2.5 AprMay: 2.88 in precipitation 2.9 MayJune: 3.68 in precipitation 3.7 JunJuly: 1.75 in precipitation 1.8 JulAugust: 1.51 in precipitation 1.5 AugSeptember: 2.09 in precipitation 2.1 SepOctober: 1.69 in precipitation 1.7 OctNovember: 1.24 in precipitation 1.2 NovDecember: 1.05 in precipitation 1.1 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Raynesford 2 Nnw, MT (17 mi away); precipitation: Raynesford 2 Nnw, MT (17 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 4b.

594724b
Sand Coulee, MT · 11 mi
594124b
Belt, MT · 12 mi
594054b
Great Falls, MT · 12 mi
594634b
Monarch, MT · 15 mi
594694b
Raynesford, MT · 18 mi
594034b
Great Falls, MT · 22 mi
594014b
Great Falls, MT · 23 mi
594144b
Black Eagle, MT · 23 mi

Montana planting zones →

Questions about 59480

What planting zone is ZIP code 59480?

ZIP code 59480 (Stockett, 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 Stockett, MT?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 59480 is May 22; after June 9 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Raynesford 2 Nnw station.

When is the first frost in Stockett, MT?

The median first fall frost near 59480 is September 23, giving a median frost-free growing season of 123 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 59480?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 27 – Apr 10 and set transplants outside around May 29 – Jun 12, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 59480 get?

About 21.6 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Raynesford 2 Nnw station).

How hot do summers get in Stockett, MT?

The average high peaks at 83 °F in August, with about 14 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 59480 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Monad at the center of ZIP 59480: loam, well drained, pH about 6.5 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Stockett, MT in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 59480 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 Stockett, MT?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 59480 is 15 h 56 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 59480 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 59480 in zone 4a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 4b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.