Frost dates for 05344Marlboro, VT
The average last spring frost in Marlboro 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 Marlboro
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 05344 is matched to the NOAA station Rowe 3Ne, MA, 31.3 km away, at 1,735 ft elevation (282 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 |
| Walpole 2S Nepp, NH | 604 ft | May 8 | Oct 3 |
| Keene, NH | 511 ft | May 14 | Oct 1 |
| Peru, VT | 1,700 ft | May 16 | Oct 2 |
Frost dates near Marlboro
- Newfane, VT 05345 · last May 13, first Sep 29
- South Newfane, VT 05351 · last May 13, first Sep 29
- East Dover, VT 05341 · last May 14, first Oct 4
- Williamsville, VT 05362 · last May 13, first Sep 29
- Wardsboro, VT 05355 · last May 13, first Sep 29
- Townshend, VT 05353 · last May 13, first Sep 29
- West Dummerston, VT 05357 · last May 14, first Oct 1
- West Dover, VT 05356 · last May 14, first Oct 4
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Marlboro, VT?
- For ZIP code 05344, 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 Marlboro, 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 05344?
- 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.