Frost dates for 05031Barnard, VT
The average last spring frost in Barnard is May 13 and the average first fall frost is October 2, giving a typical growing season of about 141 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 13
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 2
- Growing season
- 141 days
Safer after May 29 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 19 (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 14 · May 29 · Jun 10 | Sep 10 · Sep 23 · Oct 4 | 117 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 30 · May 13 · May 29 | Sep 19 · Oct 2 · Oct 17 | 141 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 17 · Apr 30 · May 15 | Oct 1 · Oct 13 · Nov 1 | 164 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Barnard
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 12 |
| 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 22 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 29 – Jul 13 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 12 – Jul 13 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 29 – Jul 15 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 29 – Jun 12 |
| 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 2 – Jun 12 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Jul 13 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 15 – Apr 12 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – May 13 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 23 – Jun 22 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Jul 23 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – Jun 28 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Aug 8 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – May 19 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Aug 13 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – Jun 2 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Aug 23 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 29 – May 19 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 15 – Jul 23 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 13 – Jun 28 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 23 – Jul 8 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 22 – Oct 23 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 05031 is matched to the NOAA station Rochester, VT, 20.7 km away, at 830 ft elevation (482 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rochester, VT (used) | 830 ft | May 13 | Oct 2 |
| Woodstock, VT | 600 ft | May 13 | Oct 1 |
| N Hartland Lake, VT | 570 ft | May 8 | Oct 6 |
| Hanover, NH | 584 ft | May 1 | Oct 13 |
Frost dates near Barnard
- Gaysville, VT 05746 · last May 13, first Oct 2
- South Pomfret, VT 05067 · last May 13, first Oct 1
- North Pomfret, VT 05053 · last May 13, first Oct 1
- Bethel, VT 05032 · last May 13, first Oct 2
- South Royalton, VT 05068 · last May 13, first Oct 2
- Woodstock, VT 05091 · last May 13, first Oct 1
- Stockbridge, VT 05772 · last May 13, first Oct 2
- Bridgewater Corners, VT 05035 · last May 16, first Sep 29
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Barnard, VT?
- For ZIP code 05031, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 13, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Rochester, VT weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 29.
- When is the first frost in Barnard, VT?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 2. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 19, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 05031?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 141 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.