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When to Plant Asparagus in Fallon County, MT

Asparagus is a long-lived perennial vegetable that produces tender spears each spring for 15-20 years once established. It requires patience but rewards with reliable harvests.

Fallon County, Montana is in USDA Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 20 and the first fall frost is September 20, giving you a growing season of approximately 123 days.

At an elevation of 6,441 feet, Fallon County receives approximately 19.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 81ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Asparagus to ensure they mature before fall. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Asparagus successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.

Fallon County, MT (Zone 4a) Short season
123 days
Last Spring Frost May 20
123 growing days
First Fall Frost September 20

Fallon County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.2-8.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: May 28
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Jun 3
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Jun 22

Percentages indicate frost risk at transplant. The 70% safe window means there is a 30% chance of frost after transplant — suitable for cold-hardy crops or gardeners with frost protection. The 90% safe window is best for tender plants.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.7″/week
You supply
0.4″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 425 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Asparagus needs ~9,809 GDD — county provides 1,322 GDD May not mature

Asparagus Planting Timeline โ€” Fallon County, MT

Asparagus Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors June 3 Jun 3 โ€“ Jun 17

Plant 1" deep ยท 30" apart ยท Rows 42" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April โ€”
May โ€”
June Transplant Outdoors
July โ€”
August โ€”
September โ€”
October โ€”
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

Days to Maturity

730โ€“1095 days

Soil pH

6.5 โ€“ 7.5

USDA Zone

Zone 4a

Growing Season

123 days

Growing Tips for Fallon County

Plant crowns in deep trenches with compost. Do not harvest spears for the first two years to allow root establishment. Mulch heavily to suppress weeds and retain moisture.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Garlic
  • Onion

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Asparagus in Fallon County, MT?

Fallon County is in Zone 4a with an average last frost of May 20. Plan your Asparagus planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Fallon County, MT?

Fallon County, Montana is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 20 and first fall frost is September 20.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Fallon County gardeners in Zone 4a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Fallon County, MT. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.