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

Planting zone for 59747 — Pony, MT

ZIP code 59747 (Pony, Madison County) is in USDA zone 5a: the coldest winter night averages −20 to −15 °F. The median last spring frost is June 8 and the first fall frost September 2.

Where ZIP 59747 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.

Zone5a−20 to −15 °F

Coldest night−28.9 to −26.1 °C

Last frostJun 8

First frostSep 2

2012 zone4b

Was 4b 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 5a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Pony, 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 Pony, MT

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostJune 8median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsJuly 1only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostSeptember 2median — 10% chance by Aug 16

Growing season82 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 20 and returns around September 15.

From the NOAA station Twin Bridges, MT — 20 miles away, elevation 4,626 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 59747

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Apr 27 – May 11

SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 27 – May 18

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 30 – Apr 13

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · May 18 – Jun 1

Onion setsPlant outdoors · May 11 – May 25

PotatoesPlant outdoors · May 18 – Jun 1

LettuceSow outdoors · May 11 – May 25

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · May 18 – Jun 1

TomatoesStart indoors · Apr 13 – Apr 27

TomatoesTransplant · Jun 15 – Jun 29

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 30 – Apr 13

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Jun 22 – Jul 6

BeansSow outdoors · Jun 15 – Jun 29

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Jun 15 – Jun 29

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Jun 15 – Jun 29

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Jul 8 – Jul 22

GarlicPlant cloves · Aug 19 – Sep 23

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Jun 8) and first fall frost (Sep 2) 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 59747 came on Apr 7 — 24 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (May 1).

average
May 12026
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 5a in Montana

548 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Montana, and rated by the USDA to survive −20 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 5a. 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 Pony, MT.

Soil in Pony, MT

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 59747 is Shadow — very channery sandy loam, somewhat excessively drained.

TextureVery channery sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

pH6.5neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageSomewhat excessively drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter4%moderate

Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Shadow complex, warm, 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 59747; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Pony, MT

Summer high85 °Faverage high, July

Winter low12 °Faverage low, December

Hot days17days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights206nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days1,505base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 43 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day8 h 41 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation38.3 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Twin Bridges, MT (20 mi away); precipitation: Albro Lake, MT (7 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 5a.

Whitehall, MT · 14 mi

597405a

Mc Allister, MT · 15 mi

Willow Creek, MT · 18 mi

597525a

Three Forks, MT · 26 mi

Montana planting zones →

Questions about 59747

What planting zone is ZIP code 59747?

ZIP code 59747 (Pony, MT) is in USDA hardiness zone 5a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −20 to −15 °F (−28.9 to −26.1 °C).

When is the last frost in Pony, MT?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 59747 is June 8; after July 1 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Twin Bridges station.

When is the first frost in Pony, MT?

The median first fall frost near 59747 is September 2, giving a median frost-free growing season of 82 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 59747?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Apr 13 – Apr 27 and set transplants outside around Jun 15 – Jun 29, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 59747 get?

About 38.3 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Albro Lake station).

How hot do summers get in Pony, MT?

The average high peaks at 85 °F in July, with about 17 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 59747 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Shadow at the center of ZIP 59747: very channery sandy loam, somewhat excessively drained, pH about 6.5 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Pony, MT in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 59747 came on Apr 7 in 2026, 24 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (May 1), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Pony, MT?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 59747 is 15 h 43 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 59747 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 59747 in zone 4b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 5a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.