Frost dates for 05403South Burlington, VT
The average last spring frost in South Burlington is April 29 and the average first fall frost is October 15, giving a typical growing season of about 169 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 29
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 15
- Growing season
- 169 days
Safer after May 11 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 2 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 177 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) | Apr 27 · May 8 · May 23 | Sep 23 · Oct 4 · Oct 19 | 147 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 17 · Apr 29 · May 11 | Oct 2 · Oct 15 · Nov 1 | 169 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 5 · Apr 18 · Apr 30 | Oct 12 · Oct 28 · Nov 12 | 193 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for South Burlington
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 | Mar 29 – Jun 4 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 15 – Jun 25 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 29 – Apr 29 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 29 – Jun 29 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 15 – May 14 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 29 – Jun 29 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 29 – Jul 5 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 15 – Jun 29 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 29 – Jun 29 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 15 – Jul 28 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 15 – Jun 25 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 29 – Jun 29 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 22 – Jun 14 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – May 14 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – May 29 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 15 – Mar 14 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 15 – May 14 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 11 – Apr 14 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 15 – May 14 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 15 – Jun 25 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Jul 26 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 1 – Mar 29 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – Apr 29 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 5 – Jul 5 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Aug 5 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – Jun 14 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Aug 21 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – May 5 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Aug 26 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – May 19 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Sep 5 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 15 – May 5 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Aug 5 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 29 – Jun 14 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 5 – Jul 21 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 5 – Nov 5 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 05403 is matched to the NOAA station Burlington Intl Ap, VT, 3 km away, at 330 ft elevation (68 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burlington Intl Ap, VT (used) | 330 ft | Apr 29 | Oct 15 |
| Essex Junction 1 N, VT | 340 ft | May 2 | Oct 11 |
| Willsboro 1 N, NY | 180 ft | May 2 | Oct 14 |
| S Hero, VT | 110 ft | Apr 28 | Oct 20 |
Frost dates near South Burlington
- Burlington, VT 05401 · last Apr 29, first Oct 15
- Winooski, VT 05404 · last Apr 29, first Oct 15
- Colchester, VT 05439 · last Apr 29, first Oct 15
- Williston, VT 05495 · last Apr 29, first Oct 15
- Shelburne, VT 05482 · last May 2, first Oct 14
- South Burlington, VT 05407 · last Apr 29, first Oct 15
- Essex Junction, VT 05453 · last Apr 29, first Oct 15
- Essex, VT 05451 · last May 2, first Oct 11
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in South Burlington, VT?
- For ZIP code 05403, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 29, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Burlington Intl Ap, VT weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 11.
- When is the first frost in South Burlington, VT?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 15. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 2, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 05403?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 169 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.