When Is the Last Frost in Vermont?
The average last spring frost in Vermont falls between May 1 and May 21 for most ZIP codes, with a statewide median of May 13. At the average date a later frost is still a coin flip, so tender plants wait for the safer 90% date.
| City | Last frost | 90% safe after | First frost | Growing season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Burlington | Apr 29 | May 11 | Oct 15 | 169 days |
| South Burlington | Apr 29 | May 11 | Oct 15 | 169 days |
| Rutland | May 15 | May 31 | Sep 27 | 132 days |
| Essex Junction | Apr 29 | May 11 | Oct 15 | 169 days |
| Winooski | Apr 29 | May 11 | Oct 15 | 169 days |
| Barre | May 16 | May 30 | Sep 29 | 136 days |
| Montpelier | May 5 | May 21 | Oct 9 | 157 days |
| St. Albans | May 1 | May 16 | Oct 12 | 161 days |
| Newport | May 14 | May 28 | Sep 30 | 138 days |
| Bellows Falls | May 8 | May 22 | Oct 3 | 149 days |
| Vergennes | Apr 30 | May 11 | Oct 17 | 168 days |
| Morrisville | May 20 | Jun 4 | Sep 28 | 129 days |
| North Bennington | May 11 | May 28 | Oct 2 | 143 days |
| Woodstock | May 13 | May 27 | Oct 1 | 141 days |
| Ludlow | May 16 | May 31 | Sep 29 | 136 days |
| Manchester | May 13 | May 28 | Sep 29 | 137 days |
| Alburgh | Apr 30 | May 14 | Oct 12 | 164 days |
| Newbury | May 15 | Jun 3 | Sep 28 | 133 days |
Last and first frost: 50% (median) dates of the last spring and first fall 32 °F night. 90% safe after: only a 10% chance of a later spring frost. First frost dates in January fall in the following winter. Each city uses the NOAA station nearest the ZIP code closest to its center.
Across all 45 Vermont weather stations with frost records, median last frost dates run from April 28 at S Hero, VT to June 1 at Sutton 2 NE, VT. Elevation, valleys that collect cold air and distance from large water bodies explain most of the spread, so a garden a few miles from a listed city can differ by a week or more. The ZIP code lookup above uses the same NOAA data as the frost date calculator for every US ZIP code.
When Is the First Frost in Vermont?
The average first fall frost in Vermont arrives between September 26 and October 12 for most ZIP codes, with a median of October 1. Tomatoes, peppers, basil and squash are damaged at 32 °F, so harvest or cover them before then.
Fall frost can come early: Burlington has a 10% chance of frost before October 2, South Burlington has a 10% chance of frost before October 2 and Rutland has a 10% chance of frost before September 13. Hardy crops such as kale, spinach and cabbage tolerate light frosts and keep producing after the first frost date.
When to Plant Tomatoes in Vermont?
Transplant tomatoes in Vermont 1 to 2 weeks after the local average last frost, once nights stay above about 50 °F: May 6 – May 13 in Burlington, May 6 – May 13 in South Burlington and May 22 – May 29 in Rutland. Start seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before the last frost.
| City | Start seeds indoors | Transplant outdoors | Lowest-risk transplant |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burlington | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | May 6 – May 13 | after May 11 |
| South Burlington | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | May 6 – May 13 | after May 11 |
| Rutland | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | May 22 – May 29 | after May 31 |
| Essex Junction | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | May 6 – May 13 | after May 11 |
| Winooski | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | May 6 – May 13 | after May 11 |
| Barre | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | May 23 – May 30 | after May 30 |
| Montpelier | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | May 12 – May 19 | after May 21 |
| St. Albans | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | May 8 – May 15 | after May 16 |
| Newport | Mar 19 – Apr 2 | May 21 – May 28 | after May 28 |
| Bellows Falls | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | May 15 – May 22 | after May 22 |
| Vergennes | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | May 7 – May 14 | after May 11 |
| Morrisville | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | May 27 – Jun 3 | after Jun 4 |
| North Bennington | Mar 16 – Mar 30 | May 18 – May 25 | after May 28 |
| Woodstock | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | May 20 – May 27 | after May 27 |
| Ludlow | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | May 23 – May 30 | after May 31 |
| Manchester | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | May 20 – May 27 | after May 28 |
| Alburgh | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | May 7 – May 14 | after May 14 |
| Newbury | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | May 22 – May 29 | after Jun 3 |
Indoors: 6–8 weeks before the average last frost. Outdoors: 1–2 weeks after it. Lowest-risk: after the date with only a 10% chance of a later frost. Rules of thumb; check the 10-day forecast and wait for soil near 60 °F.
Tomatoes stall below about 50 °F at night and are killed by frost, so a week or two of waiting after the average date costs little. The tomato plant care guide covers light, watering and feeding once plants are in the ground.
What Can You Plant in Burlington and When?
Burlington's average last frost of April 29 anchors its spring planting calendar: peas and spinach go in from March 18, broccoli and lettuce transplants from April 1, and tomatoes, peppers and squash after May 6.
| Crop | Start seeds indoors | Plant outdoors | Frost tolerance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Peas | — | Mar 18 – Apr 1direct sow, 4–6 weeks before last frost | hardy |
| Spinach | — | Mar 18 – Apr 8direct sow, 3–6 weeks before last frost | hardy |
| Radishes | — | Mar 25 – Apr 8direct sow, 3–5 weeks before last frost | hardy |
| Onions (sets) | — | Apr 1 – Apr 15plant, 2–4 weeks before last frost | hardy |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 1 – Apr 15plant, 2–4 weeks before last frost | half-hardy |
| Broccoli & cabbage | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | Apr 1 – Apr 15transplant, 2–4 weeks before last frost | hardy |
| Lettuce | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | Apr 1 – Apr 15transplant, 2–4 weeks before last frost | hardy |
| Beets | — | Apr 1 – Apr 15direct sow, 2–4 weeks before last frost | half-hardy |
| Carrots | — | Apr 8 – Apr 15direct sow, 2–3 weeks before last frost | half-hardy |
| Tomatoes | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | May 6 – May 13transplant, 1–2 weeks after last frost | tender |
| Basil | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | May 6 – May 20transplant, 1–3 weeks after last frost | tender |
| Peppers | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | May 13 – May 20transplant, 2–3 weeks after last frost | tender |
| Eggplant | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | May 13 – May 20transplant, 2–3 weeks after last frost | tender |
| Green beans | — | May 6 – May 20direct sow, 1–3 weeks after last frost | tender |
| Sweet corn | — | May 6 – May 20direct sow, 1–3 weeks after last frost | tender |
| Cucumbers | Apr 1 – Apr 8 | May 6 – May 20transplant, 1–3 weeks after last frost | tender |
| Squash & zucchini | Apr 1 – Apr 8 | May 6 – May 20transplant, 1–3 weeks after last frost | tender |
| Watermelon | Apr 1 – Apr 8 | May 13 – May 20transplant, 2–3 weeks after last frost | tender |
Dates for Burlington (last frost Apr 29, NOAA station Burlington INTL AP, VT, 3 miles from ZIP 05401). General rules of thumb; wait for soil near 50 °F for most seeds and 60 °F for beans, corn and squash.
How Long Is the Growing Season in Vermont?
The frost-free growing season in Vermont lasts about 124 to 164 days for most ZIP codes, with a median of 141 days. Among the listed cities, Morrisville has the shortest season at 129 days and Winooski the longest at 169.
Season length decides which varieties ripen: compare it with the “days to maturity” on seed packets, counted from transplanting for tomatoes and peppers. NOAA stations in Vermont range from 103 days at Sutton 2 NE, VT to 174 days at S Hero, VT. Planning beds before the season starts helps in short seasons — a plant spacing calculator for vegetable beds shows how many transplants fit.
What Hardiness Zones Are in Vermont?
Vermont spans USDA hardiness zones 4a to 6a, with zone 5a the most common. Zones describe winter cold and decide which perennials survive, while frost dates set when to plant annual vegetables and flowers.
The Vermont planting zone map with the zone of each city shows how the zones are spread across the state and which plants are hardy in all of them.
Frequently Asked Questions
- When is the last frost in Vermont?
- The average last spring frost in Vermont falls between May 1 and May 21 for most ZIP codes, with a statewide median of May 13. Among major cities it ranges from April 29 in Burlington to May 20 in Morrisville.
- When is the last frost in Burlington, Vermont?
- Burlington's average last spring frost is April 29, and by May 11 the chance of a later frost drops to 10%. Its first fall frost averages October 15, giving a 169-day growing season (NOAA station Burlington INTL AP, VT).
- When should you plant tomatoes in Vermont?
- Transplant tomatoes in Vermont 1 to 2 weeks after the local average last frost, once nights stay above about 50 °F: May 6 – May 13 in Burlington, May 6 – May 13 in South Burlington and May 22 – May 29 in Rutland. Start seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before the last frost.
- When is the first frost in Vermont?
- The average first fall frost in Vermont arrives between September 26 and October 12 for most ZIP codes, with a median of October 1. Harvest tender crops such as tomatoes, peppers and basil before then or cover them on cold nights.
- How long is the growing season in Vermont?
- The frost-free growing season in Vermont lasts about 124 to 164 days for most ZIP codes, with a median of 141 days, from 129 days in Morrisville to 169 days in Winooski.
Frost data: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals (32 °F freeze dates by probability). ZIP code and city locations and populations: U.S. Census Bureau Gazetteer files and Vintage 2024 population estimates. Planting windows are general rules of thumb. PlantoScan is not affiliated with or endorsed by these agencies.