When to plant potatoes in Montana

Potatoes
Sow outdoors in Billings
Apr 6–Apr 20

Across Montana the window opens between April 6 and May 16. Find your city below; the dates follow each town's own average last frost.

Sow outdoors, Billings
Apr 6–Apr 20
Last frost, Billings
May 4

Sow outdoors 2–4 weeks before the last frost. Plant seed potatoes once the soil reaches about 45°F. Shoots that come up before the last frost can be covered with soil.

Potatoes planting dates by city

Start indoorsPlant outSow outdoorsFall plantingAverage last and first frost
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
BillingsApr 6–Apr 20
MissoulaApr 12–Apr 26
Great FallsApr 8–Apr 22
BozemanApr 28–May 12
Butte-Silver BowMay 16–May 30
HelenaApr 11–Apr 25
KalispellMay 3–May 17

Questions

When should I plant potatoes in Montana?

In Billings, sow outdoors from April 6 to April 20. Across Montana the window opens between April 6 and May 16, depending on the local last frost.

How is this date worked out?

Sow outdoors 2–4 weeks before the last frost. Frost dates are NOAA 1991–2020 averages for the weather station nearest each city.

More for Montana

Potatoes in other states

Frost dates for every city in Montana