ÃÛÌÒÁµÈË

For daily wit & wisdom, sign up for the ÃÛÌÒÁµÈË Daily newsletter.

Planting Calendar for Malta, 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-season 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.

Planting Dates for Fall

On average, your first fall frost occurs on September 24 (at MALTA, MT climate station).
CropFrost Based on Frost Dates
Moon Based on Moon Dates
Start Seeds OutdoorsTransplantAverage Days to MaturityFrost Tolerance
ArugulaFrost Aug 6-Sep 10
Moon Aug 6-9, Aug 23-Sep 7
N/A40Frost-hardy
BeetsFrost Jul 2-30
Moon Jul 11-23
N/A50Frost-tolerant
Bok ChoyFrost Jul 16-Aug 6
Moon Jul 24-Aug 6
N/A50Frost-tolerant
BroccoliFrost Jun 25-Jul 2
Moon Jun 25-Jul 2
Frost Jul 16-30
Moon Jul 24-30
60Frost-tolerant
Brussels SproutsFrost Jun 4-18
Moon Jun 4-11
N/A100Frost-hardy
CabbageFrost Jun 25-Jul 2
Moon Jun 25-Jul 2
Frost Jul 16-23
90Frost-tolerant
CarrotsFrost Jul 9-16
Moon Jul 11-16
N/A70Frost-tolerant
CauliflowerFrost Jun 18-25
Moon Jun 25
Frost Jul 2-9
Moon Jul 2-9
75Frost-tolerant
ChivesFrost Jul 2-30
Moon Jul 2-10, Jul 24-30
N/A70Frost-tolerant
FennelFrost Jun 25-Jul 9
Moon Jun 25-Jul 9
N/A80Tender
GarlicFrost Oct 8-22
Moon Oct 8-20
N/A120Frost-hardy
Green BeansFrost Jul 9-23
Moon Jul 9-10
N/A55Tender
KaleFrost Jul 16-30
Moon Jul 24-30
N/A60Frost-hardy
KohlrabiFrost Jul 23-Aug 13
Moon Jul 24-Aug 9
N/A45Frost-tolerant
LettuceFrost Jul 16-30
Moon Jul 24-30
N/A60Frost-tolerant
Mustard GreensFrost Jul 23-Aug 13
Moon Jul 24-Aug 9
N/A45Tender
PeasFrost Jul 16-30
Moon Jul 24-30
N/A55Tender
RadishesFrost Aug 13-27
Moon Aug 13-22
N/A25Frost-tolerant
SpinachFrost Aug 6-27
Moon Aug 6-9, Aug 23-27
N/A30Frost-hardy
Swiss ChardFrost Jul 16-30
Moon Jul 24-30
N/A60Frost-tolerant
TurnipsFrost Jul 23-Aug 6
Moon Jul 23
N/A50Frost-tolerant

Planting Dates for Spring

On average, your last spring frost occurs on May 14 (at MALTA, MT climate station, elevation 2263 feet).
CropFrost Based on Frost Dates
Moon Based on Moon Dates
Start Seeds IndoorsPlant Seedlings
or Transplants
Start Seeds OutdoorsLast Date to Plant
ArugulaFrost Mar 19-Apr 2
Moon Mar 29-Apr 2
Frost Apr 23-May 7
Moon Apr 27-May 7
Frost Apr 16-23
Aug 27
AsparagusN/AN/AFrost Apr 30-May 14
Moon May 13-14
May 14
BasilFrost Apr 2-16
Moon Apr 2-12
Frost May 28-Jun 11
Moon May 28-Jun 11
Frost May 28-Jun 11
Moon May 28-Jun 11
Aug 13
BeetsN/AFrost Apr 30-May 14
Moon May 13-14
Frost Apr 16-23
Moon Apr 16-23
May 28
Bell PeppersFrost Mar 4-19
Moon Mar 4-14
Frost May 28-Jun 4
Moon May 28-Jun 4
N/AJul 2
Bok ChoyFrost Apr 2-16
Moon Apr 2-12
Frost May 28-Jun 4
Moon May 28-Jun 4
Frost May 28-Jun 4
Moon May 28-Jun 4
Jun 25
BroccoliFrost Mar 19-Apr 2
Moon Mar 29-Apr 2
Frost Apr 30-May 14
Moon Apr 30-May 12
Frost Apr 16-23
Jul 23
Brussels SproutsFrost Apr 2-16
Moon Apr 2-12
Frost Apr 30-May 14
Moon Apr 30-May 12
Frost Apr 16-23
Jun 18
CabbageFrost Mar 19-Apr 2
Moon Mar 29-Apr 2
Frost Apr 30-May 14
Moon Apr 30-May 12
Frost Apr 16-23
May 21
CantaloupesFrost Apr 23-May 7
Moon Apr 27-May 7
Frost May 14-28
Moon May 26-28
Frost May 21-28
Moon May 26-28
Jun 18
CarrotsN/AN/AFrost Apr 16-30
Moon Apr 16-26
Jul 16
CauliflowerFrost Apr 2-16
Moon Apr 2-12
Frost May 7-21
Moon May 7-12
N/AJul 9
CeleryFrost Feb 18-Mar 4
Moon Feb 27-Mar 4
Frost May 21-Jun 4
Moon May 26-Jun 4
Frost May 14
Jul 16
ChivesFrost Mar 19-Apr 2
Moon Mar 29-Apr 2
Frost Apr 23-30
Moon Apr 27-30
Frost Apr 23-30
Moon Apr 27-30
Jul 30
Cilantro (Coriander)N/AN/AFrost May 14-28
Moon May 26-28
Jun 4
CollardsFrost Apr 2-16
Moon Apr 2-12
Frost Apr 30-May 14
Moon Apr 30-May 12
Frost Apr 23-30
Moon Apr 27-30
Jul 16
CucumbersFrost Apr 23-30
Moon Apr 27-30
Frost May 21-Jun 4
Moon May 26-Jun 4
Frost May 28-Jun 4
Moon May 28-Jun 4
Jul 16
DillN/AN/AFrost May 7-28
Moon May 7-12, May 26-28
Jul 30
Dry BeansN/AN/AFrost May 28-Jun 4
Moon May 28-Jun 4
Jun 18
EggplantsFrost Mar 19-Apr 2
Moon Mar 29-Apr 2
Frost May 28-Jun 4
Moon May 28-Jun 4
N/AJul 16
Fava BeansN/AN/AFrost Apr 16-23
May 28
FennelFrost Apr 2-16
Moon Apr 2-12
Frost May 21-28
Moon May 26-28
Frost May 14-28
Moon May 26-28
Jul 9
GarlicN/AN/AN/A
Green BeansN/AN/AFrost May 21-Jun 11
Moon May 26-Jun 11
Jul 16
Honeydew MelonsFrost Apr 23-30
Moon Apr 27-30
Frost May 28-Jun 4
Moon May 28-Jun 4
Frost May 28-Jun 4
Moon May 28-Jun 4
Jun 25
Jalapeño PeppersFrost Mar 4-19
Moon Mar 4-14
Frost May 28-Jun 4
Moon May 28-Jun 4
N/A
KaleFrost Mar 19-Apr 2
Moon Mar 29-Apr 2
Frost Apr 30-May 14
Moon Apr 30-May 12
Frost Apr 16-23
May 28
KohlrabiFrost Apr 2-16
Moon Apr 2-12
Frost Apr 23-30
Moon Apr 27-30
Frost Apr 16-23
May 28
LeeksFrost Mar 4-19
Moon Mar 4-14
Frost Apr 23-May 7
Moon Apr 27-May 7
N/AJun 11
LettuceFrost Apr 2-16
Moon Apr 2-12
Frost Apr 23-30
Moon Apr 27-30
Frost Apr 16-23
May 28
MicrogreensN/AN/AN/A
Mustard GreensN/AN/AN/A
OkraFrost Apr 16-30
Moon Apr 27-30
Frost May 28-Jun 4
Moon May 28-Jun 4
Frost May 28-Jun 11
Moon May 28-Jun 11
Jul 16
OnionsN/AFrost Apr 16-30
Moon Apr 16-26
N/AJun 18
OreganoFrost Mar 4-Apr 2
Moon Mar 4-14, Mar 29-Apr 2
Frost May 21-Jun 4
Moon May 26-Jun 4
N/AJul 16
ParsleyFrost Mar 4-19
Moon Mar 4-14
Frost May 21-Jun 4
Moon May 26-Jun 4
Frost Apr 16-May 21
Moon Apr 27-May 12
Jul 9
ParsnipsN/AN/AFrost Apr 16-23
Moon Apr 16-23
Jun 18
PeanutsN/AN/AFrost Jun 4-18
Moon Jun 12-18
PeasN/AN/AFrost Apr 16-23
May 28
PotatoesN/AN/AFrost Apr 16-30
Moon Apr 16-26
Jul 16
PumpkinsFrost Apr 23-May 7
Moon Apr 27-May 7
Frost May 28-Jun 4
Moon May 28-Jun 4
Frost May 28-Jun 4
Moon May 28-Jun 4
Jun 11
RadishesN/AN/AFrost Apr 16-23
Moon Apr 16-23
Jul 30
RosemaryFrost Feb 18-Mar 4
Moon Feb 27-Mar 4
Frost May 28-Jun 4
Moon May 28-Jun 4
N/AJul 30
SageFrost Mar 19-Apr 2
Moon Mar 29-Apr 2
Frost May 21-Jun 4
Moon May 26-Jun 4
N/AJul 9
SalsifyN/AN/AFrost Apr 16-30
Moon Apr 16-26
Jun 18
SpinachFrost Apr 2-16
Moon Apr 2-12
Frost Apr 23-30
Moon Apr 27-30
Frost Apr 16-23
May 28
Sweet CornN/AN/AFrost May 28-Jun 11
Moon May 28-Jun 11
Jul 9
Sweet PotatoesN/AN/AFrost May 28-Jun 11
Jun 11
Swiss ChardFrost Apr 2-16
Moon Apr 2-12
Frost Apr 30-May 14
Moon Apr 30-May 12
Frost Apr 23-May 14
Moon Apr 27-May 12
May 28
ThymeFrost Mar 4-19
Moon Mar 4-14
Frost May 21-28
Moon May 26-28
N/AJul 2
TomatillosFrost Apr 2-16
Moon Apr 2-12
Frost May 28-Jun 11
Moon May 28-Jun 11
N/AJul 9
TomatoesFrost Mar 19-Apr 2
Moon Mar 29-Apr 2
Frost May 28-Jun 4
Moon May 28-Jun 4
N/AJun 25
TurnipsN/AN/AFrost Apr 16-23
Moon Apr 16-23
Aug 27
WatermelonsFrost Apr 23-May 7
Moon Apr 27-May 7
Frost May 28-Jun 4
Moon May 28-Jun 4
Frost May 21-28
Moon May 26-28
Jun 25
Winter SquashFrost Apr 23-30
Moon Apr 27-30
Frost May 21-Jun 4
Moon May 26-Jun 4
Frost May 28-Jun 4
Moon May 28-Jun 4
Jun 4
Zucchini (Summer Squash)Frost Apr 23-30
Moon Apr 27-30
Frost May 21-Jun 4
Moon May 26-Jun 4
Frost May 28-Jun 4
Moon May 28-Jun 4
Jul 23