Frost dates for 05261Pownal, VT
The average last spring frost in Pownal is May 7 and the average first fall frost is October 8, giving a typical growing season of about 154 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 7
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 8
- Growing season
- 154 days
Safer after May 22 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 26 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 187 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 4 · May 20 · Jun 3 | Sep 15 · Sep 29 · Oct 11 | 129 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 23 · May 7 · May 22 | Sep 26 · Oct 8 · Oct 25 | 154 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 11 · Apr 25 · May 10 | Oct 5 · Oct 21 · Nov 7 | 179 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Pownal
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 6 – Jun 12 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 23 – Jun 18 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 6 – May 7 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 6 – Jul 7 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 23 – May 22 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 6 – Jul 7 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 6 – Jun 28 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 23 – Jul 7 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 6 – Jul 7 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 23 – Jul 21 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 23 – Jun 18 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 6 – Jul 7 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 30 – Jun 22 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 6 – May 22 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 6 – Jun 6 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 23 – Mar 22 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 23 – May 22 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 19 – Apr 22 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 23 – May 22 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 8 – Jun 18 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Jul 19 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 9 – Apr 6 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 6 – May 7 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 29 – Jun 28 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Jul 29 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 6 – Jun 22 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Aug 14 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – May 13 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Aug 19 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 6 – May 27 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Aug 29 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 23 – May 13 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 21 – Jul 29 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 7 – Jun 22 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 29 – Jul 14 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 28 – Oct 29 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 05261 is matched to the NOAA station Pownal 1 Ne, VT, 0.7 km away, at 1,110 ft elevation (140 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pownal 1 Ne, VT (used) | 1,110 ft | May 7 | Oct 8 |
| North Adams Harriman Ap, MA | 654 ft | May 10 | Oct 4 |
| Bennington Morse St Ap, VT | 826 ft | May 11 | Oct 2 |
| Grafton, NY | 1,560 ft | May 1 | Oct 11 |
Frost dates near Pownal
- North Pownal, VT 05260 · last May 11, first Oct 2
- Williamstown, MA 01267 · last May 10, first Oct 4
- Bennington, VT 05201 · last May 11, first Oct 2
- Petersburg, NY 12138 · last May 10, first Oct 4
- Hoosick, NY 12089 · last May 11, first Oct 2
- Stamford, VT 05352 · last May 7, first Oct 8
- North Adams, MA 01247 · last May 7, first Oct 8
- North Bennington, VT 05257 · last May 11, first Oct 2
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Pownal, VT?
- For ZIP code 05261, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 7, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Pownal 1 Ne, VT weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 22.
- When is the first frost in Pownal, VT?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 8. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 26, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 05261?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 154 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.