When to plant butternut squash in Montana

Butternut squash
Sow outdoors in Billings
May 11–May 25

Across Montana the window opens between May 11 and June 20. Find your city below; the dates follow each town's own average last frost.

Sow outdoors, Billings
May 11–May 25
Last sowing for a harvest
Jun 5
Last frost, Billings
May 4

Sow outdoors 1–3 weeks after the last frost. Leave fruit on the vine until the skin is hard and the stem starts to dry.

Butternut squash planting dates by city

Start indoorsPlant outSow outdoorsFall plantingAverage last and first frost
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
BillingsMay 11–May 25
MissoulaMay 17–May 31
Great FallsMay 13–May 27
BozemanJun 2–Jun 16
Butte-Silver BowJun 20–Jul 4
HelenaMay 16–May 30
KalispellJun 7–Jun 21

In Bozeman, Butte-Silver Bow, Kalispell the frost-free season is shorter than butternut squash need. Start plants indoors and pick early varieties.

Questions

When should I plant butternut squash in Montana?

In Billings, sow outdoors from May 11 to May 25. Across Montana the window opens between May 11 and June 20, depending on the local last frost.

How is this date worked out?

Sow outdoors 1–3 weeks after the last frost. Frost dates are NOAA 1991–2020 averages for the weather station nearest each city.

Is the season long enough for butternut squash everywhere in Montana?

Not quite. In Bozeman, Butte-Silver Bow, Kalispell the frost-free season is shorter than the time butternut squash need to ripen. Start plants indoors and pick an early variety.

More for Montana

Butternut squash in other states

Frost dates for every city in Montana