Frost dates for 05036Brookfield, VT
The average last spring frost in Brookfield is May 16 and the average first fall frost is September 29, giving a typical growing season of about 136 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 16
- Average first fall frost
- Sep 29
- Growing season
- 136 days
Safer after May 30 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 16 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 196 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 15 · May 30 · Jun 12 | Sep 7 · Sep 20 · Oct 2 | 112 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | May 2 · May 16 · May 30 | Sep 16 · Sep 29 · Oct 12 | 136 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 20 · May 3 · May 17 | Sep 27 · Oct 9 · Oct 26 | 158 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Brookfield
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 15 – Jun 21 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Jun 1 – Jun 9 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 15 – May 16 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 15 – Jul 16 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | May 2 – May 31 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 15 – Jul 16 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 15 – Jun 19 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Jun 1 – Jul 16 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 15 – Jul 16 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Jun 1 – Jul 12 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Jun 1 – Jun 9 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 15 – Jul 16 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 8 – Jul 1 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 15 – May 31 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 15 – Jun 15 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Mar 31 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 2 – May 31 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 28 – May 1 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 2 – May 31 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 30 – Jun 9 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Jul 10 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 18 – Apr 15 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 15 – May 16 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 20 – Jun 19 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 19 – Jul 20 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 15 – Jul 1 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 19 – Aug 5 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – May 22 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 6 – Aug 10 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 15 – Jun 5 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 19 – Aug 20 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 2 – May 22 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 12 – Jul 20 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 16 – Jul 1 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 20 – Jul 5 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 19 – Oct 20 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 05036 is matched to the NOAA station Barre Montpelier Ap, VT, 19.1 km away, at 1,126 ft elevation (137 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barre Montpelier Ap, VT (used) | 1,126 ft | May 16 | Sep 29 |
| Chelsea 2 Nw, VT | 1,440 ft | May 9 | Oct 1 |
| Northfield, VT | 670 ft | May 18 | Sep 28 |
| Corinth, VT | 1,180 ft | May 14 | Sep 29 |
Frost dates near Brookfield
- East Randolph, VT 05041 · last May 18, first Sep 28
- Chelsea, VT 05038 · last May 9, first Oct 1
- Randolph Center, VT 05061 · last May 16, first Sep 29
- Williamstown, VT 05679 · last May 18, first Sep 28
- Randolph, VT 05060 · last May 13, first Oct 2
- Roxbury, VT 05669 · last May 21, first Sep 25
- Northfield, VT 05663 · last May 18, first Sep 28
- Washington, VT 05675 · last May 9, first Oct 1
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Brookfield, VT?
- For ZIP code 05036, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 16, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Barre Montpelier Ap, VT weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 30.
- When is the first frost in Brookfield, VT?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is September 29. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 16, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 05036?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 136 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.