Quantcast
Planting Calendar for Chester, MT | Almanac.com
For daily wit & wisdom, sign up for the Almanac Daily newsletter.

Planting Calendar for Chester, MT

Enter your zip code or postal code above.

The planting calendar below tells you when to plant in the SPRING and also plant in the FALL, based on your zip code or postal code.

Spring Planting Calendar

Our spring planting calendar starts with the very first dates that you can plant (based on the last spring frost). But if you've missed these dates, no worries! This is why we've added "last planting dates" to our spring calendar; this is meant to help new gardeners understand that if they missed the first spring planting window, they could still get crops in the ground.

In fact, many crops with short maturity times (such as radishes) can be succession planted all the way through the summer in northern areas. However, note that some cool-seasons crops such as kale and lettuce do not grow well in hot temperatures, which can cause bolting issues.  For some gardeners, especially in the South, a break to avoid summer heat is needed, but they can start once the heat has passed. 

The dates provided are based on the number of weeks before or after frost, so we can provide a unique calendar to every user in the country. Thus, several crops (especially similar crops) may appear to have the same date. Kale and lettuce, for example, or dates for starting seeds, like broccoli and cabbage. 

Fall Planting Calendar

When we say "fall," we really mean planting in summer in time for a fall harvest. Think of this as a second summer! It's easy to keep the crops going if you've already prepared the soil! 

Many crops that would be started indoors for a spring crop can just be plunked into the soil directly for a fall crop. Not only is the soil already warm but also there are less pests and it tends to be rainier so you don't need to water as often. Some fall vegetables need to be harvested by the first frost, but many are frost-tolerant and even taste better after a kiss of fall frost!

See each plant's individual Growing Guide for more specific planting, plant care, and harvesting information.

Specifically, on the charts, there are different columns labeled as follows:

  1. Start Seeds Indoors: When to sow seeds indoors to get an early start on the season.
  2. Plant Seedlings Outdoors: When to put small seedlings that you grew indoors (OR starter plants that you bought at a garden nursery) in the outdoor soil.
  3. Start Seeds Outdoors: When to plant seeds directly into the outdoor soil.
  4. Last Date to Plant: You may plant any time from the "start seeds" dates until this "last date." Don't wait any longer, or the crop won't have time to get to harvest before fall/winter frosts.

The "Moon Dates" indicate the best planting dates based on Moon phases. You can learn more about this age-old technique below.

When N/A appears in the chart, that starting method is typically not recommended, although it is likely still possible. 

Use the icon below for the best print or email format.

Print Friendly and PDF

Planting Dates for Spring

On average, your last spring frost occurs on May 29 (at CHESTER, MT climate station, elevation 3133 feet).
CropFrost Based on Frost Dates
Moon Based on Moon Dates
Start Seeds IndoorsPlant Seedlings
or Transplants
Start Seeds OutdoorsLast Date to Plant
ArugulaFrost Apr 3-17
Moon Apr 8-17
Frost May 8-22
Moon May 8-22
Frost May 1-8
Moon May 7-8
Aug 14
AsparagusN/AN/AFrost May 15-29
Moon May 24-29
May 29
BasilFrost Apr 17-May 1
Moon Apr 17-23
Frost Jun 12-26
Moon Jun 12-21
Frost Jun 12-26
Moon Jun 12-21
Jul 31
BeetsN/AFrost May 15-29
Moon May 24-29
Frost May 1-8
Moon May 1-6
Jun 12
Bell PeppersFrost Mar 20-Apr 3
Moon Mar 20-25
Frost Jun 12-19
Moon Jun 12-19
N/AJun 19
Bok ChoyFrost Apr 17-May 1
Moon Apr 17-23
Frost Jun 12-19
Moon Jun 12-19
Frost Jun 12-19
Moon Jun 12-19
Jul 10
BroccoliFrost Apr 3-17
Moon Apr 8-17
Frost May 15-29
Moon May 15-23
Frost May 1-8
Moon May 7-8
Jul 10
Brussels SproutsFrost Apr 17-May 1
Moon Apr 17-23
Frost May 15-29
Moon May 15-23
Frost May 1-8
Moon May 7-8
Jun 5
CabbageFrost Apr 3-17
Moon Apr 8-17
Frost May 15-29
Moon May 15-23
Frost May 1-8
Moon May 7-8
May 29
CantaloupesFrost May 8-22
Moon May 8-22
Frost May 29-Jun 12
Moon Jun 6-12
Frost Jun 5-12
Moon Jun 6-12
Jun 5
CarrotsN/AN/AFrost May 1-15
Moon May 1-6
Jul 3
CauliflowerFrost Apr 17-May 1
Moon Apr 17-23
Frost May 22-Jun 5
Moon May 22-23
N/AJul 3
CeleryFrost Mar 5-20
Frost Jun 5-19
Moon Jun 6-19
Frost May 29
Jul 3
ChivesFrost Apr 3-17
Moon Apr 8-17
Frost May 8-15
Moon May 8-15
Frost May 8-15
Moon May 8-15
Jul 17
Cilantro (Coriander)N/AN/AFrost May 29-Jun 12
Moon Jun 6-12
Jun 19
CollardsFrost Apr 17-May 1
Moon Apr 17-23
Frost May 15-29
Moon May 15-23
Frost May 8-15
Moon May 8-15
Jul 3
CucumbersFrost May 8-15
Moon May 8-15
Frost Jun 5-19
Moon Jun 6-19
Frost Jun 12-19
Moon Jun 12-19
Jul 3
DillN/AN/AFrost May 22-Jun 12
Moon May 22-23, Jun 6-12
Jul 17
Dry BeansN/AN/AFrost Jun 12-19
Moon Jun 12-19
Jun 5
EggplantsFrost Apr 3-17
Moon Apr 8-17
Frost Jun 12-19
Moon Jun 12-19
N/AJul 3
Fava BeansN/AN/AFrost May 1-8
Moon May 7-8
Jun 12
FennelFrost Apr 17-May 1
Moon Apr 17-23
Frost Jun 5-12
Moon Jun 6-12
Frost May 29-Jun 12
Moon Jun 6-12
Jun 26
GarlicN/AN/AN/A
Green BeansN/AN/AFrost Jun 5-26
Moon Jun 6-21
Jul 3
Honeydew MelonsFrost May 8-15
Moon May 8-15
Frost Jun 12-19
Moon Jun 12-19
Frost Jun 12-19
Moon Jun 12-19
Jun 12
Jalapeño PeppersFrost Mar 20-Apr 3
Moon Mar 20-25
Frost Jun 12-19
Moon Jun 12-19
N/A
KaleFrost Apr 3-17
Moon Apr 8-17
Frost May 15-29
Moon May 15-23
Frost May 1-8
Moon May 7-8
Jun 12
KohlrabiFrost Apr 17-May 1
Moon Apr 17-23
Frost May 8-15
Moon May 8-15
Frost May 1-8
Moon May 7-8
Jun 12
LeeksFrost Mar 20-Apr 3
Moon Mar 20-25
Frost May 8-22
Moon May 8-22
N/AMay 29
LettuceFrost Apr 17-May 1
Moon Apr 17-23
Frost May 8-15
Moon May 8-15
Frost May 1-8
Moon May 7-8
Jun 12
Mustard GreensN/AN/AN/A
OkraFrost May 1-15
Moon May 7-15
Frost Jun 12-19
Moon Jun 12-19
Frost Jun 12-26
Moon Jun 12-21
Jul 3
OnionsN/AFrost May 1-15
Moon May 1-6
N/AJun 5
OreganoFrost Mar 20-Apr 17
Moon Mar 20-25, Apr 8-17
Frost Jun 5-19
Moon Jun 6-19
N/AJul 3
ParsleyFrost Mar 20-Apr 3
Moon Mar 20-25
Frost Jun 5-19
Moon Jun 6-19
Frost May 1-Jun 5
Moon May 7-23
Jun 26
ParsnipsN/AN/AFrost May 1-8
Moon May 1-6
Jun 5
PeasN/AN/AFrost May 1-8
Moon May 7-8
Jun 12
PotatoesN/AN/AFrost May 1-15
Moon May 1-6
Jul 3
PumpkinsFrost May 8-22
Moon May 8-22
Frost Jun 12-19
Moon Jun 12-19
Frost Jun 12-19
Moon Jun 12-19
May 29
RadishesN/AN/AFrost May 1-8
Moon May 1-6
Jul 17
RosemaryFrost Mar 5-20
Frost Jun 12-19
Moon Jun 12-19
N/AJul 17
SageFrost Apr 3-17
Moon Apr 8-17
Frost Jun 5-19
Moon Jun 6-19
N/AJun 26
SalsifyN/AN/AFrost May 1-15
Moon May 1-6
Jun 5
SpinachFrost Apr 17-May 1
Moon Apr 17-23
Frost May 8-15
Moon May 8-15
Frost May 1-8
Moon May 7-8
Jun 12
Sweet CornN/AN/AFrost Jun 12-26
Moon Jun 12-21
Jun 26
Sweet PotatoesN/AN/AFrost Jun 12-26
Moon Jun 22-26
May 29
Swiss ChardFrost Apr 17-May 1
Moon Apr 17-23
Frost May 15-29
Moon May 15-23
Frost May 8-29
Moon May 8-23
Jun 12
ThymeFrost Mar 20-Apr 3
Moon Mar 20-25
Frost Jun 5-12
Moon Jun 6-12
N/AJun 19
TomatillosFrost Apr 17-May 1
Moon Apr 17-23
Frost Jun 12-26
Moon Jun 12-21
N/AJun 26
TomatoesFrost Apr 3-17
Moon Apr 8-17
Frost Jun 12-19
Moon Jun 12-19
N/AJun 12
TurnipsN/AN/AFrost May 1-8
Moon May 1-6
Aug 14
WatermelonsFrost May 8-22
Moon May 8-22
Frost Jun 12-19
Moon Jun 12-19
Frost Jun 5-12
Moon Jun 6-12
Jun 12
Winter SquashFrost May 8-15
Moon May 8-15
Frost Jun 5-19
Moon Jun 6-19
Frost Jun 12-19
Moon Jun 12-19
May 22
Zucchini (Summer Squash)Frost May 8-15
Moon May 8-15
Frost Jun 5-19
Moon Jun 6-19
Frost Jun 12-19
Moon Jun 12-19
Jul 10

Planting Dates for Fall

On average, your first fall frost occurs on September 11 (at CHESTER, MT climate station).
CropFrost Based on Frost Dates
Moon Based on Moon Dates
Start Seeds OutdoorsTransplantAverage Days to MaturityFrost Tolerance
ArugulaFrost Jul 24-Aug 28
Moon Aug 4-19
N/A40Frost-hardy
BeetsFrost Jun 19-Jul 17
Moon Jun 22-Jul 4
N/A50Frost-tolerant
Bok ChoyFrost Jul 3-24
Moon Jul 5-21
N/A50Frost-tolerant
BroccoliFrost Jun 12-19
Moon Jun 12-19
Frost Jul 3-17
Moon Jul 5-17
60Frost-tolerant
Brussels SproutsFrost May 22-Jun 5
Moon May 22-23
N/A100Frost-hardy
CabbageFrost Jun 12-19
Moon Jun 12-19
Frost Jul 3-10
Moon Jul 5-10
90Frost-tolerant
CarrotsFrost Jun 26-Jul 3
Moon Jun 26-Jul 3
N/A70Frost-tolerant
CauliflowerFrost Jun 5-12
Moon Jun 6-12
Frost Jun 19-26
Moon Jun 19-21
75Frost-tolerant
ChivesFrost Jun 19-Jul 17
Moon Jun 19-21, Jul 5-17
N/A70Frost-tolerant
FennelFrost Jun 12-26
Moon Jun 12-21
N/A80Tender
GarlicFrost Sep 25-Oct 9
Moon Sep 25-Oct 1
N/A120Frost-hardy
Green BeansFrost Jun 26-Jul 10
Moon Jul 5-10
N/A55Tender
KaleFrost Jul 3-17
Moon Jul 5-17
N/A60Frost-hardy
KohlrabiFrost Jul 10-31
Moon Jul 10-21
N/A45Frost-tolerant
LettuceFrost Jul 3-17
Moon Jul 5-17
N/A60Frost-tolerant
Mustard GreensFrost Jul 10-31
Moon Jul 10-21
N/A45Tender
PeasFrost Jul 3-17
Moon Jul 5-17
N/A55Tender
RadishesFrost Jul 31-Aug 14
Moon Jul 31-Aug 3
N/A25Frost-tolerant
SpinachFrost Jul 24-Aug 14
Moon Aug 4-14
N/A30Frost-hardy
Swiss ChardFrost Jul 3-17
Moon Jul 5-17
N/A60Frost-tolerant
TurnipsFrost Jul 10-24
Moon Jul 22-24
N/A50Frost-tolerant
The Old Farmer's Store