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

Planting zone for 59936 — West Glacier, MT

ZIP code 59936 (West Glacier, Flathead 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 5.

Where ZIP 59936 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 5

2012 zone5a

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 5a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for West Glacier, 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 West Glacier, 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 5median — 10% chance by Aug 20

Growing season88 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 21 and returns around September 23.

From the NOAA station E Glacier, MT — 21 miles away, elevation 4,807 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 59936

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 11 – Jul 25

GarlicPlant cloves · Aug 22 – Sep 26

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Jun 8) and first fall frost (Sep 5) 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 59936 came on May 11 — 5 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (May 16).

average
May 162026
May 11

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 West Glacier, MT.

Soil in West Glacier, MT

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 59936 is Skaggs family — very gravelly loam, well drained.

TextureVery gravelly loama good balance for most vegetables

pH7.4slightly alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter5%high

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Skaggs family, very stony-Helmville family, stony-Rock outcrop complex, 35 to 60 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 59936; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in West Glacier, MT

Summer high74 °Faverage high, July

Winter low13 °Faverage low, January

Hot days2days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights201nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days903base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day16 h 05 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day8 h 20 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation47 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: E Glacier, MT (21 mi away); precipitation: Pike Creek, MT (10 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

599165a

Essex, MT · 12 mi

599215a

Lake Mc Donald, MT · 23 mi

599265b

Martin City, MT · 27 mi

599135a

Coram, MT · 28 mi

594484b

Heart Butte, MT · 29 mi

599115b

Bigfork, MT · 29 mi

599195b

Hungry Horse, MT · 30 mi

594174a

Browning, MT · 33 mi

Montana planting zones →

Questions about 59936

What planting zone is ZIP code 59936?

ZIP code 59936 (West Glacier, 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 West Glacier, MT?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 59936 is June 8; after July 1 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, E Glacier station.

When is the first frost in West Glacier, MT?

The median first fall frost near 59936 is September 5, giving a median frost-free growing season of 88 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 59936?

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 59936 get?

About 47 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Pike Creek station).

How hot do summers get in West Glacier, MT?

The average high peaks at 74 °F in July, with about 2 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 59936 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Skaggs family at the center of ZIP 59936: very gravelly loam, well drained, pH about 7.4 (slightly alkaline).

Did spring come early in West Glacier, MT in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 59936 came on May 11 in 2026, 5 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (May 16), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in West Glacier, MT?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 59936 is 16 h 05 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).