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

Planting zone for 59486 — Valier, MT

ZIP code 59486 (Valier, Pondera County) is in USDA zone 4b: the coldest winter night averages −25 to −20 °F. The median last spring frost is May 17 and the first fall frost September 24.

Where ZIP 59486 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 17
First frostSep 24
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 Valier, 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 Valier, MT

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 17median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 31only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostSeptember 24median — 10% chance by Sep 11
Growing season129 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 4 and returns around October 4.

From the NOAA station Valier, MT — 6 miles away, elevation 3,806 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 59486

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Apr 5 – Apr 19
SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 5 – Apr 26
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 8 – Mar 22
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 26 – May 10
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 19 – May 3
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 26 – May 10
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 19 – May 3
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 26 – May 10
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 22 – Apr 5
TomatoesTransplant · May 24 – Jun 7
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 8 – Mar 22
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 31 – Jun 14
BeansSow outdoors · May 24 – Jun 7
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 24 – Jun 7
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 24 – Jun 7
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Jul 30 – Aug 13
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 10 – Oct 15
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 17) and first fall frost (Sep 24) 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 59486 came on Mar 22 — 26 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 17).

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 Valier, MT.

Soil in Valier, MT

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 59486 is Brockway — silt loam, well drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables
pH7.9alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter1.5%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly
Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Brockway silt loam, 2 to 4 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 59486; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Valier, MT

Summer high82 °Faverage high, July
Winter low13 °Faverage low, January
Hot days9days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights171nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days1,762base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day16 h 06 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day8 h 19 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation12.6 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

0°10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°32 °FJanuary: average high 35 °F, low 13 °F 35°13° JanFebruary: average high 37 °F, low 14 °F 37°14° FebMarch: average high 46 °F, low 21 °F 46°21° MarApril: average high 55 °F, low 30 °F 55°30° AprMay: average high 64 °F, low 39 °F 64°39° MayJune: average high 71 °F, low 47 °F 71°47° JunJuly: average high 82 °F, low 52 °F 82°52° JulAugust: average high 81 °F, low 51 °F 81°51° AugSeptember: average high 72 °F, low 43 °F 72°43° SepOctober: average high 57 °F, low 33 °F 57°33° OctNovember: average high 43 °F, low 23 °F 43°23° NovDecember: average high 35 °F, low 15 °F 35°15° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″January: 0.25 in precipitation 0.3 JanFebruary: 0.31 in precipitation 0.3 FebMarch: 0.44 in precipitation 0.4 MarApril: 1.25 in precipitation 1.3 AprMay: 2.23 in precipitation 2.2 MayJune: 3.09 in precipitation 3.1 JunJuly: 1.05 in precipitation 1.1 JulAugust: 1.33 in precipitation 1.3 AugSeptember: 1.25 in precipitation 1.3 SepOctober: 0.74 in precipitation 0.7 OctNovember: 0.43 in precipitation 0.4 NovDecember: 0.26 in precipitation 0.3 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Valier, MT (6 mi away); precipitation: Valier, MT (6 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

594324b
Dupuyer, MT · 15 mi
594674b
Pendroy, MT · 19 mi
594484b
Heart Butte, MT · 22 mi
594354a
Ethridge, MT · 23 mi
594254a
Conrad, MT · 24 mi
594194b
Bynum, MT · 26 mi
594274a
Cut Bank, MT · 31 mi
594544a
Kevin, MT · 35 mi

Montana planting zones →

Questions about 59486

What planting zone is ZIP code 59486?

ZIP code 59486 (Valier, 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 Valier, MT?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 59486 is May 17; after May 31 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Valier station.

When is the first frost in Valier, MT?

The median first fall frost near 59486 is September 24, giving a median frost-free growing season of 129 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 59486?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 22 – Apr 5 and set transplants outside around May 24 – Jun 7, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 59486 get?

About 12.6 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Valier station).

How hot do summers get in Valier, MT?

The average high peaks at 82 °F in July, with about 9 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 59486 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Brockway at the center of ZIP 59486: silt loam, well drained, pH about 7.9 (alkaline).

Did spring come early in Valier, MT in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 59486 came on Mar 22 in 2026, 26 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 17), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Valier, MT?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 59486 is 16 h 06 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 59486 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 59486 in zone 4a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 4b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.