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

Planting zone for 59716 — Big Sky, MT

ZIP code 59716 (Big Sky, Gallatin County) is in USDA zone 4b: the coldest winter night averages −25 to −20 °F. The median last spring frost is June 16 and the first fall frost September 4.

Where ZIP 59716 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 16
First frostSep 4
2012 zone4b

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 4b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Big Sky, 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 Big Sky, MT

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostJune 16median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsJuly 6only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostSeptember 4median — 10% chance by Aug 20
Growing season78 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 23 and returns around September 18.

From the NOAA station Ennis, MT — 16 miles away, elevation 4,954 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 59716

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · May 5 – May 19
SpinachSow outdoors · May 5 – May 26
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Apr 7 – Apr 21
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · May 26 – Jun 9
Onion setsPlant outdoors · May 19 – Jun 2
PotatoesPlant outdoors · May 26 – Jun 9
LettuceSow outdoors · May 19 – Jun 2
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · May 26 – Jun 9
TomatoesStart indoors · Apr 21 – May 5
TomatoesTransplant · Jun 23 – Jul 7
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Apr 7 – Apr 21
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Jun 30 – Jul 14
BeansSow outdoors · Jun 23 – Jul 7
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Jun 23 – Jul 7
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Jun 23 – Jul 7
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Jul 10 – Jul 24
GarlicPlant cloves · Aug 21 – Sep 25
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Jun 16) and first fall frost (Sep 4) 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 59716 came on May 11 — 3 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (May 14).

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 Big Sky, MT.

Soil in Big Sky, MT

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 59716 is MacFarlane — slightly decomposed plant material, well drained.

TextureSlightly decomposed plant materialtop layer
pH6.5neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter90%high
Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: MacFarlane stony sandy loam, 15 to 45 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 59716; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Big Sky, MT

Summer high78 °Faverage high, July
Winter low9 °Faverage low, January
Hot days1days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights257nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days778base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 39 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day8 h 44 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation33.8 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 30 °F, low 9 °F 30°9° JanFebruary: average high 34 °F, low 9 °F 34°9° FebMarch: average high 42 °F, low 17 °F 42°17° MarApril: average high 48 °F, low 23 °F 48°23° AprMay: average high 58 °F, low 30 °F 58°30° MayJune: average high 67 °F, low 36 °F 67°36° JunJuly: average high 78 °F, low 41 °F 78°41° JulAugust: average high 77 °F, low 39 °F 77°39° AugSeptember: average high 68 °F, low 33 °F 68°33° SepOctober: average high 53 °F, low 25 °F 53°25° OctNovember: average high 37 °F, low 16 °F 37°16° NovDecember: average high 28 °F, low 9 °F 28°9° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″January: 2.75 in precipitation 2.8 JanFebruary: 2.54 in precipitation 2.5 FebMarch: 3.02 in precipitation 3.0 MarApril: 3.78 in precipitation 3.8 AprMay: 3.69 in precipitation 3.7 MayJune: 3.44 in precipitation 3.4 JunJuly: 2.00 in precipitation 2.0 JulAugust: 1.77 in precipitation 1.8 AugSeptember: 2.24 in precipitation 2.2 SepOctober: 2.95 in precipitation 3.0 OctNovember: 2.79 in precipitation 2.8 NovDecember: 2.86 in precipitation 2.9 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Big Sky 2wnw, MT (3 mi away); precipitation: Lone Mountain, MT (2 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

597295a
Ennis, MT · 13 mi
597305a
Gallatin Gateway, MT · 14 mi
590275a
Emigrant, MT · 24 mi
597455a
Norris, MT · 24 mi
597405a
Mc Allister, MT · 25 mi
597205a
Cameron, MT · 26 mi
597185a
Bozeman, MT · 27 mi
597555a
Virginia City, MT · 27 mi

Montana planting zones →

Questions about 59716

What planting zone is ZIP code 59716?

ZIP code 59716 (Big Sky, 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 Big Sky, MT?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 59716 is June 16; after July 6 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Ennis station.

When is the first frost in Big Sky, MT?

The median first fall frost near 59716 is September 4, giving a median frost-free growing season of 78 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 59716?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Apr 21 – May 5 and set transplants outside around Jun 23 – Jul 7, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 59716 get?

About 33.8 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Lone Mountain station).

How hot do summers get in Big Sky, MT?

The average high peaks at 78 °F in July, with about 1 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 59716 have?

The USDA soil survey maps MacFarlane at the center of ZIP 59716: slightly decomposed plant material, well drained, pH about 6.5 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Big Sky, MT in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 59716 came on May 11 in 2026, 3 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (May 14), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Big Sky, MT?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 59716 is 15 h 39 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).