Frost dates for 05030Ascutney, VT
The average last spring frost in Ascutney is May 13 and the average first fall frost is October 3, giving a typical growing season of about 143 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 13
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 3
- Growing season
- 143 days
Safer after May 28 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 20 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 191 days
Frost risk by date
NOAA reports frost dates as probabilities. The middle date is the average (a 50% chance). For spring, the 10% date is a safer planting date: frost after it happens in about 1 year in 10. Light frost (36°F) can damage tender plants; a hard freeze (28°F) kills most annuals.
| Temperature | Last spring: 90% / 50% / 10% chance | First fall: 10% / 50% / 90% chance | Growing season (50%) | Years with at least one |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light frost (36°F) | May 10 · May 25 · Jun 7 | Sep 9 · Sep 23 · Oct 4 | 120 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 28 · May 13 · May 28 | Sep 20 · Oct 3 · Oct 15 | 143 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 16 · Apr 29 · May 14 | Oct 1 · Oct 13 · Oct 29 | 167 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Ascutney
Planting windows from the University of Maryland Extension calendar, shifted to your average frost dates. Use them as a starting point and adjust for seed packet instructions and local conditions.
| Crop | Task | Window |
|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Start seeds indoors | Apr 12 – Jun 18 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 29 – Jun 13 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 12 – May 13 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 12 – Jul 13 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 29 – May 28 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 12 – Jul 13 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 12 – Jun 23 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 29 – Jul 13 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 12 – Jul 13 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 29 – Jul 16 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 29 – Jun 13 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 12 – Jul 13 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 5 – Jun 28 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – May 28 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – Jun 12 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 1 – Mar 28 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 29 – May 28 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 25 – Apr 28 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 29 – May 28 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 3 – Jun 13 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Jul 14 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 15 – Apr 12 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – May 13 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 24 – Jun 23 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 23 – Jul 24 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – Jun 28 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 23 – Aug 9 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – May 19 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Aug 14 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – Jun 2 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 23 – Aug 24 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 29 – May 19 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 16 – Jul 24 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 13 – Jun 28 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 24 – Jul 9 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 23 – Oct 24 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 05030 is matched to the NOAA station Springfield Hartness Ap, VT, 10.3 km away, at 578 ft elevation (117 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Springfield Hartness Ap, VT (used) | 578 ft | May 13 | Oct 3 |
| N Springfield Lake, VT | 560 ft | May 9 | Oct 2 |
| Cavendish, VT | 842 ft | May 16 | Sep 29 |
| Newport, NH | 770 ft | May 14 | Oct 1 |
Frost dates near Ascutney
- Perkinsville, VT 05151 · last May 13, first Oct 3
- Windsor, VT 05089 · last May 16, first Sep 29
- Brownsville, VT 05037 · last May 16, first Sep 29
- Claremont, NH 03743 · last May 13, first Oct 3
- North Springfield, VT 05150 · last May 13, first Oct 3
- Cornish, NH 03745 · last May 14, first Oct 1
- Springfield, VT 05156 · last May 13, first Oct 3
- Reading, VT 05062 · last May 16, first Sep 29
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Ascutney, VT?
- For ZIP code 05030, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 13, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Springfield Hartness Ap, VT weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 28.
- When is the first frost in Ascutney, VT?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 3. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 20, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 05030?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 143 days long.
- Are these frost dates a forecast?
- No. They are 30-year averages and probabilities from NOAA weather station records. Use them to plan, then watch your local forecast before planting tender crops or leaving them uncovered.