Year Round Garden

Planting calendar for Billings, Montana

Dates from 30 years of records at the Billings Wtp weather station, 1.2 miles from Billings, worked out crop by crop with the same method as the Year Round Garden app.

Billings at a glance

Weather station
Billings Wtp · 1.2 mi
USDA zone
5a
Last spring frost
typically May 10; 1 year in 10 after May 24
First fall frost
typically Oct 1; 1 year in 10 before Sep 19
Frost-free season
about 144 days
Hottest month
July: highs 86°F, nights 56°F
Coldest month
January: highs 36°F, nights 14°F
Rain
15 in. a year, most in April, May and June

What shapes the seasons here

The last spring frost in Billings typically comes around May 10, but 1 year in 10 it comes after May 24. The first fall frost typically arrives around Oct 1. That leaves about 144 frost-free days for tender crops like tomatoes, peppers and squash.

Billings gets about 15 inches of rain a year, most of it in April, May and June.

126 of the 174 crops in the app grow here; 48 need a different climate (listed near the bottom).

When to plant the most popular crops

JFMAMJJASOND
Tomato (slicing)
Tomato (cherry & grape)
Pepper (sweet / bell)
Cucumber (slicing)
Summer squash & zucchini
Bean (bush snap)
Sweet corn
Potato
Pea (snap & snow)
Lettuce (leaf & mesclun)
Spinach
Kale
Collard greens
Broccoli
Cabbage
Carrot
Radish
Onion (bulbing)
Garlic
Cilantro
Strawberry

Best Can plant Start indoors

Get these dates as reminders for your exact yard

The free Year Round Garden app uses the weather station nearest your own address, not just the city. It reminds you when to start seeds, plant and harvest, sends frost and storm alerts from the National Weather Service, and keeps a garden journal. No account needed, in English and Spanish.

Download on the App StoreGet it on Google PlayFree for up to 5 plants on iPhone and Android.

What to plant in Billings, month by month

January0

Too cold to plant outdoors. Plan beds, order seeds and start the ones listed indoors.

Start seeds indoors

Pansy / viola

February0

Too cold to plant outdoors. Plan beds, order seeds and start the ones listed indoors.

Start seeds indoors

Artichoke, Cabbage, Celeriac (celery root), Leek, Parsley, Snapdragon, Stock

March0

Too cold to plant outdoors. Plan beds, order seeds and start the ones listed indoors.

Start seeds indoors

Artichoke, Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, Cabbage, Cardoon, Cauliflower, Celeriac (celery root), Celery, Onion (bulbing), Catnip, Lavender, Lemon balm, Rosemary, Purple coneflower (echinacea), Statice, Stock

April47

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Arugula, Asparagus, Beet, Broccoli, Broccoli raab (rapini), Brussels sprouts, Cabbage, Carrot, Cauliflower, Chinese broccoli (gai lan), Collard greens, Daikon radish, Endive & escarole, Fava bean, Green onion / scallion, Kale, Kohlrabi, Leek, Lettuce (leaf & mesclun), Mustard greens, Parsnip, Pea (shelling / English), Pea (snap & snow), Radicchio, Radish, Rhubarb, Salsify, Shallot, Spinach, Swiss chard, Turnip, Watercress

Herbs: Caraway, Chamomile, Parsley, Sorrel (French / garden)

Fruit: Blackberry, Grape (bunch), Raspberry, Strawberry

Flowers: Bachelor's button (cornflower), California poppy, Larkspur, Pansy / viola, Snapdragon, Sweet alyssum, Sweet pea (flower)

Can also plant

Lettuce (romaine & head), Mache (corn salad), Onion (bulbing), Potato, Sunchoke (Jerusalem artichoke), Chervil, Coreopsis (tickseed)

Start seeds indoors

Leek, Pepper (sweet / bell), Tomato (cherry & grape), Tomato (paste / determinate), Tomato (slicing), Anise hyssop, Bee balm (bergamot), Chives, Feverfew, Garlic chives, Lavender, Lemon balm, Lovage, Marjoram, Oregano, Parsley, Sage, Thyme, Winter savory, Ground cherry, Annual salvia, Purple coneflower (echinacea), Snapdragon, Statice, Strawflower

May32

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Artichoke, Asparagus, Cardoon, Carrot, Celeriac (celery root), Celery, Chickpea / garbanzo, Chinese broccoli (gai lan), Fennel (bulb), Garden cress, Onion (bulbing), Parsnip, Potato, Radish, Rhubarb, Salsify, Sunchoke (Jerusalem artichoke), Swiss chard, Tomato (early / short-season)

Herbs: Catnip, Lemon balm, Lovage, Mint, Sorrel (French / garden), Summer savory

Fruit: Grape (bunch), Strawberry

Flowers: Calendula, Statice, Stock, Strawflower, Sweet alyssum

Can also plant

Arugula, Beet, Broccoli, Broccoli raab (rapini), Brussels sprouts, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Collard greens, Daikon radish, Green onion / scallion, Kale, Kohlrabi, Komatsuna (mustard spinach), Leek, Lettuce (leaf & mesclun), Mustard greens, Napa / Chinese cabbage, Pea (shelling / English), Pea (snap & snow), Shallot, Spinach, Turnip, Watercress, Anise hyssop, Bee balm (bergamot), Borage, Caraway, Chamomile, Chives, Dill, Fenugreek (methi), Feverfew, Garlic chives, Lavender, Lemon verbena, Marjoram, Oregano, Parsley, Rosemary, Sage, Tarragon (French), Thyme, Winter savory, Blackberry, Raspberry, Bachelor's button (cornflower), Black-eyed Susan, California poppy, Coreopsis (tickseed), Milkweed (native), Nasturtium, Pansy / viola, Purple coneflower (echinacea), Snapdragon

Start seeds indoors

Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Tomatillo, Tomato (cherry & grape), Tomato (early / short-season), Tomato (paste / determinate), Anise hyssop, Bee balm (bergamot), Chives, Feverfew, Garlic chives, Oregano, Parsley, Sage, Shiso (perilla), Thyme, Winter savory, Cucamelon / mouse melon, Annual salvia, Marigold, Milkweed (native), Pansy / viola, Statice, Stock, Strawflower

June66

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Armenian cucumber, Asparagus, Bean (bush snap), Bean (dry / shelling), Bean (pole), Bitter melon, Brussels sprouts, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Celeriac (celery root), Cucumber (pickling), Cucumber (slicing), Endive & escarole, Fennel (bulb), Leek, New Zealand spinach, Onion (bulbing), Pepper (sweet / bell), Potato, Rhubarb, Rutabaga, Shallot, Summer squash & zucchini, Sweet corn, Tomatillo, Tomato (cherry & grape), Tomato (early / short-season), Tomato (paste / determinate), Tomato (slicing)

Herbs: Anise hyssop, Bee balm (bergamot), Borage, Caraway, Chives, Epazote, Feverfew, Garlic chives, Lavender, Lemon balm, Lemon verbena, Lovage, Marjoram, Oregano, Parsley, Rosemary, Sage, Shiso (perilla), Tarragon (French), Thyme, Vietnamese coriander (rau ram), Winter savory

Fruit: Cucamelon / mouse melon, Ground cherry

Flowers: Annual salvia, Bachelor's button (cornflower), Black-eyed Susan, California poppy, Cleome (spider flower), Coreopsis (tickseed), Marigold, Milkweed (native), Nasturtium, Purple coneflower (echinacea), Snapdragon, Statice, Sunflower

Can also plant

Beet, Broccoli, Carrot, Chinese broccoli (gai lan), Collard greens, Garden cress, Kale, Kohlrabi, Komatsuna (mustard spinach), Lettuce (romaine & head), Napa / Chinese cabbage, Parsnip, Pea (shelling / English), Pea (snap & snow), Radish, Swiss chard, Turnip, Watercress, Chamomile, Cilantro, Dill, Sorrel (French / garden), Summer savory, Calendula, Strawflower, Sweet alyssum

Start seeds indoors

Broccoli, Lettuce (romaine & head), Pansy / viola, Stock

July54

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Amaranth greens / callaloo, Arugula, Bean (bush snap), Bean (pole), Beet, Bok choy / pak choi, Broccoli, Broccoli raab (rapini), Brussels sprouts, Cabbage, Carrot, Cauliflower, Chinese broccoli (gai lan), Collard greens, Cucumber (pickling), Cucumber (slicing), Daikon radish, Kohlrabi, Komatsuna (mustard spinach), Lettuce (leaf & mesclun), Lettuce (romaine & head), Mustard greens, Napa / Chinese cabbage, New Zealand spinach, Pea (shelling / English), Pea (snap & snow), Purslane, Rutabaga, Summer squash & zucchini, Swiss chard, Tomato (cherry & grape), Tomato (early / short-season), Turnip

Herbs: Borage, Caraway, Chamomile, Chervil, Cilantro, Cuban oregano, Dill, Epazote, Fenugreek (methi), Parsley, Vietnamese coriander (rau ram)

Flowers: Annual salvia, Bachelor's button (cornflower), Calendula, California poppy, Marigold, Nasturtium, Statice, Stock, Strawflower, Sweet alyssum

Can also plant

Garden cress, Kale, Radish, Spinach, Pansy / viola

August19

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Arugula, Broccoli raab (rapini), Garden cress, Kale, Kohlrabi, Komatsuna (mustard spinach), Lettuce (leaf & mesclun), Mache (corn salad), Mustard greens, Radish, Spinach, Swiss chard, Turnip

Herbs: Chervil, Fenugreek (methi)

Flowers: Calendula, Pansy / viola, Stock, Sweet alyssum

September2

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Elephant garlic, Garlic

October2

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Elephant garlic, Garlic

November0

Too cold to plant outdoors. A good month to plan beds and order seeds.

December0

Too cold to plant outdoors. A good month to plan beds and order seeds.

Every crop that grows in Billings

126 of 174 crops in the app fit this climate. Dates are for planting outdoors; “Start indoors” is for seeds you grow into transplants.

Vegetables

CropBest time to plantAlso possibleStart indoorsHow
Amaranth greens / callalooJul 1–20——Sow seeds
Armenian cucumberJun 6–Jul 2——Sow seeds
ArtichokeApr 26–May 10May 11–Jun 7Feb 22–Mar 8Set out plants
ArugulaApr 12–May 6, Jul 24–Aug 24Mar 29–Apr 11, May 7–31, Jul 6–23—Sow seeds
AsparagusApr 12–26, May 25–Jun 7Apr 27–May 24—Set out plants
Bean (bush snap)Jun 6–20, Jun 26–Jul 17——Sow seeds
Bean (dry / shelling)Jun 6–12——Sow seeds
Bean (pole)Jun 6–Jul 7——Sow seeds
BeetApr 12–May 3, Jul 12–Aug 2May 4–Jul 11—Sow seeds
Bitter melonJun 6–Jul 5——Sow seeds
Bok choy / pak choiJul 12–26Apr 26–May 6, Jul 1–11—Sow seeds
BroccoliApr 12–26, Jul 5–25Apr 27–Jul 4Mar 1–15, May 24–Jun 13Set out plants
Broccoli raab (rapini)Apr 12–26, Jul 18–Aug 12Apr 27–May 15, Jun 27–Jul 17—Sow seeds
Brussels sproutsApr 12–26, Jun 16–Jul 7Apr 27–Jun 15Mar 1–15, May 5–26Set out plants
CabbageApr 5–19, Jun 22–Jul 13Apr 20–Jun 21Feb 22–Mar 8, May 11–Jun 1Set out plants
CardoonMay 10–19—Mar 8–17Set out plants
CarrotApr 19–May 10, Jul 2–23May 11–Jul 1—Sow seeds
CauliflowerApr 19–May 3, Jun 21–Jul 11May 4–Jun 20Mar 8–22, May 10–30Set out plants
Celeriac (celery root)Apr 30–May 14, May 18–Jun 8—Feb 12–26, Mar 2–23Set out plants
CeleryMay 18–Jun 4—Mar 2–19Set out plants
Chickpea / garbanzoApr 30–May 14May 15–Jun 1—Sow seeds
Chinese broccoli (gai lan)Apr 19–May 10, Jul 10–30May 11–Jul 9—Sow seeds
Collard greensApr 12–26, Jul 16–Aug 6Apr 27–Jul 15—Sow seeds
Cucumber (pickling)Jun 6–Jul 10——Sow seeds
Cucumber (slicing)Jun 6–Jul 7——Sow seeds
Daikon radishApr 19–May 3, Jul 12–Aug 2May 4–22, Jun 25–Jul 11—Sow seeds
Elephant garlicSep 10–Oct 15——Sow seeds
Endive & escaroleApr 19–26, Jun 17–24——Sow seeds
Fava beanMar 29–Apr 8——Sow seeds
Fennel (bulb)Apr 26–May 10, Jun 15–Jul 4——Sow seeds
Garden cressApr 26–May 21, Aug 10–28May 22–Jun 15, Jul 22–Aug 9—Sow seeds
GarlicSep 10–Oct 15——Sow seeds
Green onion / scallionApr 12–26Apr 27–Jun 7—Sow seeds
KaleMar 29–Apr 19, Jul 29–Aug 18Apr 20–Jul 28—Sow seeds
KohlrabiApr 12–26, Jul 20–Aug 9Apr 27–Jul 19—Sow seeds
Komatsuna (mustard spinach)Jul 6–Aug 17May 10–Jun 7, Jun 23–Jul 5—Sow seeds
LeekApr 12–26, Jun 6–27Apr 27–Jun 5Feb 8–22, Apr 4–25Set out plants
Lettuce (leaf & mesclun)Apr 12–28, Jul 17–Aug 14Apr 29–May 24, Jun 28–Jul 16—Sow seeds
Lettuce (romaine & head)Jul 3–28Apr 19–May 6, Jun 18–Jul 2May 29–Jun 23Set out plants
Mache (corn salad)Aug 11–26Apr 12–21, Jul 30–Aug 10—Sow seeds
Mustard greensApr 8–30, Jul 25–Aug 22Mar 29–Apr 7, May 1–20, Jul 3–24—Sow seeds
Napa / Chinese cabbageJun 26–Jul 23Apr 26–May 10, Jun 14–25—Sow seeds
New Zealand spinachJun 6–Jul 9——Sow seeds
Onion (bulbing)May 21–Jun 18Mar 29–May 20Mar 5–Apr 2Set out plants
ParsnipApr 19–May 10May 11–Jun 22—Sow seeds
Pea (shelling / English)Mar 29–Apr 12, Jul 10–30Apr 13–Jul 9—Sow seeds
Pea (snap & snow)Mar 29–Apr 12, Jul 10–30Apr 13–Jul 9—Sow seeds
Pepper (sweet / bell)Jun 6–25—Apr 4–23Set out plants
PotatoMay 17–Jun 14Apr 13–May 16—Sow seeds
PurslaneJul 1–13——Sow seeds
RadicchioApr 12–19Apr 20–May 3—Sow seeds
RadishApr 15–May 16, Aug 9–Sep 5Apr 5–14, May 17–Jun 13, Jul 19–Aug 8—Sow seeds
RhubarbApr 12–26, May 25–Jun 7Apr 27–May 24—Set out plants
RutabagaJun 4–18, Jun 21–Jul 12——Sow seeds
SalsifyApr 19–May 19——Sow seeds
ShallotMar 29–Apr 12, Jun 11–Jul 2Apr 13–Jun 10—Sow seeds
SpinachMar 29–Apr 22, Aug 6–31Apr 23–May 10, Jul 5–Aug 5—Sow seeds
Summer squash & zucchiniJun 6–20, Jun 22–Jul 12——Sow seeds
Sunchoke (Jerusalem artichoke)May 10–31Apr 19–May 9—Sow seeds
Sweet cornJun 6–24——Sow seeds
Swiss chardApr 19–May 10, Jul 17–Aug 7May 11–Jul 16—Sow seeds
TomatilloJun 6–22—Apr 25–May 11Set out plants
Tomato (cherry & grape)Jun 6–Jul 9—Apr 18–May 21Set out plants
Tomato (early / short-season)May 18–25, Jun 24–Jul 14May 26–Jun 23Mar 30–Apr 6, May 6–26Set out plants
Tomato (paste / determinate)Jun 6–27—Apr 18–May 9Set out plants
Tomato (slicing)Jun 6–24—Apr 18–May 6Set out plants
TurnipApr 12–26, Jul 22–Aug 12Apr 27–Jul 21—Sow seeds
WatercressApr 19–May 3May 4–Jun 14—Sow seeds

Herbs

CropBest time to plantAlso possibleStart indoorsHow
Anise hyssopJun 7–Jul 5May 10–Jun 6Apr 23–May 21Set out plants
Bee balm (bergamot)Jun 7–Jul 5May 10–Jun 6Apr 19–May 17Set out plants
BorageJun 24–Jul 24May 3–Jun 23—Sow seeds
CarawayApr 19–May 3, Jun 22–Jul 13May 4–Jun 21—Sow seeds
CatnipApr 26–May 15May 16–Jun 7Mar 8–27Set out plants
ChamomileApr 12–26, Jul 7–28Apr 27–Jul 6—Sow seeds
ChervilJul 19–Aug 12Apr 19–May 5, Jun 30–Jul 18—Sow seeds
ChivesJun 7–Jul 5May 10–Jun 6Apr 19–May 17Set out plants
CilantroJul 7–Aug 4Apr 26–May 8, Jun 21–Jul 6—Sow seeds
Cuban oreganoJul 1–10——Set out plants
DillApr 26–May 3, Jul 8–29May 4–Jul 7—Sow seeds
EpazoteJun 6–20, Jul 1–22Jun 21–30—Sow seeds
Fenugreek (methi)Jul 15–Aug 10May 10–Jun 5, Jul 6–14—Sow seeds
FeverfewJun 2–28May 3–Jun 1Apr 14–May 10Set out plants
Garlic chivesJun 7–Jul 5May 10–Jun 6Apr 19–May 17Set out plants
LavenderJun 10–Jul 3May 17–Jun 9Mar 25–Apr 17Set out plants
Lemon balmApr 26–Jun 7—Mar 22–May 3Set out plants
Lemon verbenaJun 7–27May 18–Jun 6—Set out plants
LovageMay 22–Jun 7Apr 26–May 21Apr 3–19Set out plants
MarjoramJun 5–22May 18–Jun 4Apr 17–May 4Set out plants
MintApr 29–May 14Apr 26–28, May 15–Jun 7—Set out plants
OreganoJun 7–Jul 5May 10–Jun 6Apr 19–May 17Set out plants
ParsleyApr 19–May 3, Jun 22–Jul 13May 4–Jun 21Feb 15–Mar 1, Apr 20–May 11Set out plants
RosemaryJun 3–19May 17–Jun 2Mar 18–Apr 3Set out plants
SageJun 1–28May 3–31Apr 13–May 10Set out plants
Shiso (perilla)Jun 6–13Jun 14–Jul 4May 2–9Set out plants
Sorrel (French / garden)Apr 19–May 16May 17–Jun 14—Sow seeds
Summer savoryMay 18–Jun 1Jun 2–Jul 7—Sow seeds
Tarragon (French)Jun 7–Jul 5May 10–Jun 6—Set out plants
ThymeJun 6–Jul 3May 10–Jun 5Apr 11–May 8Set out plants
Vietnamese coriander (rau ram)Jun 22–Jul 10Jun 6–21, Jul 11–12—Set out plants
Winter savoryJun 7–Jul 5May 10–Jun 6Apr 19–May 17Set out plants

Fruit

CropBest time to plantAlso possibleStart indoorsHow
BlackberryApr 5–26Apr 27–Jun 7—Set out plants
Cucamelon / mouse melonJun 6–20Jun 21–27May 2–16Set out plants
Grape (bunch)Apr 12–May 10May 11–24—Set out plants
Ground cherryJun 6–20Jun 21–Jul 2Apr 18–May 2Set out plants
RaspberryApr 12–26Apr 27–Jun 7—Set out plants
StrawberryApr 16–May 11Apr 12–15, May 12–Jun 7—Set out plants

Flowers

CropBest time to plantAlso possibleStart indoorsHow
Annual salviaJun 23–Jul 16Jun 6–22, Jul 17–22Apr 14–May 7Set out plants
Bachelor's button (cornflower)Apr 12–May 2, Jun 24–Jul 25May 3–Jun 23—Sow seeds
Black-eyed SusanJun 2–24May 10–Jun 1—Sow seeds
CalendulaApr 26–May 12, Jul 5–Aug 9May 13–Jul 4—Sow seeds
California poppyApr 12–May 2, Jun 24–Jul 25May 3–Jun 23—Sow seeds
Cleome (spider flower)Jun 6–22——Sow seeds
Coreopsis (tickseed)May 31–Jul 3Apr 12–May 30—Sow seeds
LarkspurMar 29–Apr 19Apr 20–May 1—Sow seeds
MarigoldJun 23–Jul 13Jun 6–22, Jul 14–17May 5–25Set out plants
Milkweed (native)Jun 7–Jul 5May 10–Jun 6May 3–31Set out plants
NasturtiumJun 20–Jul 22May 18–Jun 19—Sow seeds
Pansy / violaMar 29–Apr 19, Aug 4–24Apr 20–May 24, Jul 18–Aug 3Jan 11–Feb 1, May 19–Jun 8Set out plants
Purple coneflower (echinacea)Jun 7–Jul 5May 10–Jun 6Mar 22–Apr 19Set out plants
SnapdragonApr 12–26, Jun 12–Jul 3Apr 27–May 3, May 19–Jun 11Feb 8–22, Apr 10–May 1Set out plants
StaticeMay 10–24, Jun 23–Jul 14May 25–Jun 22Mar 8–22, Apr 21–May 12Set out plants
StockApr 26–May 10, Jul 22–Aug 12May 11–27, Jun 30–Jul 21Feb 22–Mar 8, May 20–Jun 10Set out plants
StrawflowerMay 18–Jun 1, Jul 1–21Jun 2–30Mar 30–Apr 13, May 13–Jun 2Set out plants
SunflowerJun 6–17——Sow seeds
Sweet alyssumApr 19–May 12, Jul 9–Aug 11May 13–Jul 8—Sow seeds
Sweet pea (flower)Mar 29–Apr 26Apr 27–May 8—Sow seeds

Crops that struggle in Billings

These need a climate Billings doesn't have. Pots, shade cloth or a greenhouse can stretch the rules.

Nearby planting calendars

How these dates are worked out

Each crop has temperature limits and timing from university extension guides: how cold a night it can take, how much heat it can stand, how long it takes to mature, and how far before or after the last frost it goes in. Those are checked day by day against the Billings Wtp station's NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals (average highs, lows, rain and frost dates). Dates are estimates for a typical year; a sheltered yard, a slope or a cold pocket can shift them by a week or two.

Weather: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals. Crop timing: university extension guides (sources listed for each crop in the app). City locations: GeoNames (CC BY 4.0).