When to Plant Peppers in Montana
In Montana, the time to transplant peppers outside runs from May 18 – Jun 1 in Billings to Jun 27 – Jul 11 in Butte-Silver Bow. In Billings, it's May 18 – Jun 1. The average last spring frost differs by about 6 weeks across the state (May 4 in Billings, Jun 13 in Butte-Silver Bow), so use the dates for the town nearest you.
Peppers need even more warmth than tomatoes. Start them early indoors and set them out once the soil has warmed, two to four weeks after the last frost.
- Start indoors: 8–10 weeks before the last frost.
- Transplant outside: 2–4 weeks after the last frost.
Peppers planting dates in Montana by city
| City | Zone | Start indoors | Transplant outside |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anaconda-Deer Lodge County | 5a | Mar 23 – Apr 6 | Jun 15 – Jun 29 |
| Belgrade | 5a | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | Jun 9 – Jun 23 |
| Billings | 5a | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | May 18 – Jun 1 |
| Bozeman | 5a | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | Jun 9 – Jun 23 |
| Butte-Silver Bow | 5a | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | Jun 27 – Jul 11 |
| Columbia Falls | 5a | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | Jun 14 – Jun 28 |
| Great Falls | 4b | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | May 20 – Jun 3 |
| Hamilton | 5b | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | Jun 4 – Jun 18 |
| Havre | 3b | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | May 29 – Jun 12 |
| Helena | 5a | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | May 23 – Jun 6 |
| Kalispell | 5b | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | Jun 14 – Jun 28 |
| Laurel | 5a | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | May 19 – Jun 2 |
| Lewistown | 4b | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | Jun 6 – Jun 20 |
| Livingston | 5a | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | Jun 10 – Jun 24 |
| Miles City | 4b | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | May 22 – Jun 5 |
| Missoula | 5b | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | May 24 – Jun 7 |
| Polson | 6a | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | May 24 – Jun 7 |
| Sidney | 4a | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | May 25 – Jun 8 |
| Whitefish | 5a | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | May 30 – Jun 13 |
Calculated from each town's average (50%) frost dates, from the nearest NOAA station (1991–2020). Typical dates for the 2027 planting season, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 averages. They are long-term odds, not a forecast: always check your local forecast before planting. Zones: 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (USDA-ARS and Oregon State University). Not the official map; see planthardiness.ars.usda.gov.
See all frost dates in Montana, or the general guide to when to plant peppers.
Getting beds ready? Work out how much raised bed soil, compost or mulch you need with our sister site, Yard Coverage.