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

Planting zone for 59642 — Ringling, MT

ZIP code 59642 (Ringling, Meagher County) is in USDA zone 4b: the coldest winter night averages −25 to −20 °F. The median last spring frost is June 4 and the first fall frost September 6.

Where ZIP 59642 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 frostJun 4

First frostSep 6

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 Ringling, 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 Ringling, MT

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostJune 4median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsJune 23only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostSeptember 6median — 10% chance by Aug 28

Growing season92 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 16 and returns around September 13.

From the NOAA station Wilsall 1s, MT — 20 miles away, elevation 5,017 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 59642

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Apr 23 – May 7

SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 23 – May 14

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 26 – Apr 9

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · May 14 – May 28

Onion setsPlant outdoors · May 7 – May 21

PotatoesPlant outdoors · May 14 – May 28

LettuceSow outdoors · May 7 – May 21

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · May 14 – May 28

TomatoesStart indoors · Apr 9 – Apr 23

TomatoesTransplant · Jun 11 – Jun 25

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 26 – Apr 9

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Jun 18 – Jul 2

BeansSow outdoors · Jun 11 – Jun 25

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Jun 11 – Jun 25

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Jun 11 – Jun 25

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Jul 12 – Jul 26

GarlicPlant cloves · Aug 23 – Sep 27

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Jun 4) and first fall frost (Sep 6) 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 59642 came on Apr 7 — 23 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 30).

average
Apr 302026
Apr 7

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.

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 Ringling, MT.

Soil in Ringling, MT

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 59642 is Reedwest — loam, well drained.

TextureLoama good balance for most vegetables

pH6.7neutral; 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: Reedwest-Roundor-Cabba complex, 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 59642; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Ringling, MT

Summer high77 °Faverage high, July

Winter low12 °Faverage low, February

Hot days2days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights228nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days885base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 47 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day8 h 36 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation18.5 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall96 inper year; 124 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Lennep 5 Sw, MT (10 mi away); precipitation: Lennep 5 Sw, MT (10 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.

590864b

Wilsall, MT · 15 mi

590534b

Martinsdale, MT · 20 mi

597145a

Belgrade, MT · 27 mi

590185a

Clyde Park, MT · 29 mi

596454b

White Sulphur Springs, MT · 32 mi

596444b

Townsend, MT · 34 mi

590825a

Springdale, MT · 36 mi

597415a

Manhattan, MT · 45 mi

Montana planting zones →

Questions about 59642

What planting zone is ZIP code 59642?

ZIP code 59642 (Ringling, 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 Ringling, MT?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 59642 is June 4; after June 23 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Wilsall 1s station.

When is the first frost in Ringling, MT?

The median first fall frost near 59642 is September 6, giving a median frost-free growing season of 92 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 59642?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Apr 9 – Apr 23 and set transplants outside around Jun 11 – Jun 25, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 59642 get?

About 18.5 inches of precipitation a year and 96 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Lennep 5 Sw station).

How hot do summers get in Ringling, MT?

The average high peaks at 77 °F in July, with about 2 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 59642 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Reedwest at the center of ZIP 59642: loam, well drained, pH about 6.7 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Ringling, MT in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 59642 came on Apr 7 in 2026, 23 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 30), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Ringling, MT?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 59642 is 15 h 47 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 59642 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 59642 in zone 4a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 4b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.