What to plant in October in Montana
In Montana (MT), October sits about 30 weeks before the average last frost (May 15). The state averages 123 frost-free days a year (last frost May 15, first frost September 15; USDA zones 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a).
2 crops have a sowing or planting window this month: shallot, garlic - and 2 of those windows close during October.
Dates here come from Montana frost dates (last frost May 15, first frost Sep 15). For one crop in detail, see when to plant garlic, tomato or lettuce in Montana.
Montana covers a very wide range of climates, so dates near you can be two weeks or more either side of these. Enter your ZIP code in the planting calendar for dates tuned to your town.
Montana: planting activity through the year
Last chance in October
Shallot (plant in fall (after first frost), by Oct 6) · Garlic (plant in fall (after first frost), by Oct 13)
For fall and winter harvests (2)
Sowings counted back from Montana's first fall frost, so the crop matures before the cold - or, for garlic and similar, planted after it.
Harvesting in October
First harvests expected this month from crops sown or planted on time earlier in the season.
Planting dates for popular crops in Montana
Every crop has its own full-year dates for Montana: indoor start, transplant or direct sowing, and harvest.
Spring bulbs to plant in October in Montana
Tulips, daffodils, hyacinths and crocus are planted in fall, once the soil has cooled and before it freezes. The exact window depends on the state, so our bulb guide quotes what each extension service says.
A planning month: October garden jobs in Montana
- Order seed while stock is good. Montana's average last frost is May 15, so the first indoor sowings begin around February 20 - see starting seeds indoors.
- Sketch this year's beds and move each crop family to a new spot - the garden planner and the crop rotation guide make it quick.
- Test old seed: roll ten seeds in a damp paper towel for a week. If fewer than seven sprout, sow thicker or buy fresh.
- If the ground isn't frozen, spread compost now so it's worked in by spring, and send off a soil test - October is when labs are quiet.
USDA zone chart for Montana
Montana spans USDA zones 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a. Colder zones, usually higher or further inland, have a later last spring frost and an earlier first fall frost than the state average.
Questions gardeners ask
What vegetables can I plant in Montana in October?
2 crops have a window in October: shallot, garlic. The tables above give the exact dates for each.
Is it too late to plant garlic in Montana in October?
No - plant in fall (after first frost) runs Sep 26 – Oct 13 in Montana, so do it before October 13.
Is it too late to plant tomatoes in Montana in October?
For this year, yes - the tomato windows in Montana have closed. The next step is to start seeds indoors from about March 20.
When is the first frost in Montana?
The statewide average first fall frost is around September 15 and the last spring frost around May 15. Montana covers a wide range of climates, so local dates can differ by two weeks or more - look yours up by ZIP code.
What can I harvest in Montana in October?
From plantings made on time: cabbage, radicchio, celery, turnip, chervil, luffa (loofah gourd), peanut, sweet potato, borage, parsley.
What to plant in October in other states
Dates are computed from Montana’s statewide average frost dates (from NOAA/NCEI climate normals) and each crop’s timing in our crop database. Your garden may be a week or two either side - for dates tuned to your ZIP code, use the planting calendar.