Montana · zones 4a5b

When to plant watermelon in Montana.

Sow between Jun 5 to Jul 22 in a typical year, keyed to Montana's median last frost around May 15. Dates below are state medians; your ZIP code shifts them by days to weeks.

The 2026 windows

Watermelon dates for a typical Montana season.

Direct sow

Jun 5 to Jul 22

Keyed to the ~May 15 last frost. Sow 1" deep, 36" apart.

Harvest

~85 days later

~20 lb per plant over ~3 weeks.

Montana spans more than one climate: Zone 4 is the most common zone, but the state runs 4a to 5b. That's why the planner works from your ZIP code's frost dates, not your zone — mountain and coastal gardens in the same state can be three weeks apart.