When to plant pumpkins in Montana

Pumpkins
Sow outdoors in Billings
May 18–Jun 1

Across Montana the window opens between May 18 and June 27. Find your city below; the dates follow each town's own average last frost.

Sow outdoors, Billings
May 18–Jun 1
Last sowing for a harvest
May 26
Last frost, Billings
May 4

Sow outdoors 2–4 weeks after the last frost. For Halloween pumpkins, count back the variety's days to maturity from late September.

Pumpkins planting dates by city

Start indoorsPlant outSow outdoorsFall plantingAverage last and first frost
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
BillingsMay 18–Jun 1
MissoulaMay 24–Jun 7
Great FallsMay 20–Jun 3
BozemanJun 9–Jun 23
Butte-Silver BowJun 27–Jul 11
HelenaMay 23–Jun 6
KalispellJun 14–Jun 28

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

Questions

When should I plant pumpkins in Montana?

In Billings, sow outdoors from May 18 to June 1. Across Montana the window opens between May 18 and June 27, depending on the local last frost.

How is this date worked out?

Sow outdoors 2–4 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 pumpkins everywhere in Montana?

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

More for Montana

Pumpkins in other states

Frost dates for every city in Montana