Frost dates for 05342Jacksonville, VT
The average last spring frost in Jacksonville is May 14 and the average first fall frost is October 4, giving a typical growing season of about 143 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 14
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 4
- Growing season
- 143 days
Safer after May 26 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 20 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 194 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 6 | Sep 11 · Sep 23 · Oct 6 | 121 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 30 · May 14 · May 26 | Sep 20 · Oct 4 · Oct 17 | 143 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 16 · May 1 · May 16 | Oct 1 · Oct 14 · Nov 1 | 165 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Jacksonville
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 13 – Jun 19 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 30 – Jun 14 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 13 – May 14 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 13 – Jul 14 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 30 – May 29 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 13 – Jul 14 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 13 – Jun 24 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 30 – Jul 14 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 13 – Jul 14 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 30 – Jul 17 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 30 – Jun 14 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 13 – Jul 14 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 6 – Jun 29 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 13 – May 29 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 13 – Jun 13 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 2 – Mar 29 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 30 – May 29 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 26 – Apr 29 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 30 – May 29 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 4 – Jun 14 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Jul 15 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 16 – Apr 13 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 13 – May 14 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 25 – Jun 24 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 24 – Jul 25 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 13 – Jun 29 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 24 – Aug 10 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 6 – May 20 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Aug 15 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 13 – Jun 3 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 24 – Aug 25 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 30 – May 20 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 17 – Jul 25 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 14 – Jun 29 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 25 – Jul 10 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 24 – Oct 25 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 05342 is matched to the NOAA station Rowe 3Ne, MA, 7 km away, at 1,735 ft elevation (442 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rowe 3Ne, MA (used) | 1,735 ft | May 14 | Oct 4 |
| E Hawley, MA | 1,647 ft | May 17 | Oct 1 |
| Greenfield #3, MA | 130 ft | May 1 | Oct 11 |
| North Adams Harriman Ap, MA | 654 ft | May 10 | Oct 4 |
Frost dates near Jacksonville
- West Halifax, VT 05358 · last May 14, first Oct 4
- Whitingham, VT 05361 · last May 14, first Oct 4
- Heath, MA 01346 · last May 13, first Oct 2
- Wilmington, VT 05363 · last May 14, first Oct 4
- Readsboro, VT 05350 · last May 14, first Oct 4
- Colrain, MA 01340 · last May 13, first Oct 2
- Rowe, MA 01367 · last May 14, first Oct 4
- Monroe Bridge, MA 01350 · last May 14, first Oct 4
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Jacksonville, VT?
- For ZIP code 05342, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 14, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Rowe 3Ne, MA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 26.
- When is the first frost in Jacksonville, VT?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 4. 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 05342?
- 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.