Frost dates for 05408Burlington, VT
The average last spring frost in Burlington is April 28 and the average first fall frost is October 20, giving a typical growing season of about 174 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 28
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 20
- Growing season
- 174 days
Safer after May 10 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 4 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 178 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 9 · May 21 | Sep 25 · Oct 7 · Oct 22 | 150 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 19 · Apr 28 · May 10 | Oct 4 · Oct 20 · Nov 2 | 174 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 7 · Apr 18 · Apr 29 | Oct 18 · Nov 1 · Nov 13 | 197 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for 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 28 – Jun 3 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 14 – Jun 30 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 28 – Apr 28 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 28 – Jun 28 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 14 – May 13 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 28 – Jun 28 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 28 – Jul 10 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 14 – Jun 28 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 28 – Jun 28 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 14 – Aug 2 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 14 – Jun 30 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 28 – Jun 28 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 21 – Jun 13 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – May 13 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – May 28 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 14 – Mar 13 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 14 – May 13 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 10 – Apr 13 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 14 – May 13 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 20 – Jun 30 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 20 – Jul 31 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 28 – Mar 28 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – Apr 28 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 10 – Jul 10 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Aug 10 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – Jun 13 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Aug 26 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 21 – May 4 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 27 – Aug 31 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – May 18 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Sep 10 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 14 – May 4 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Aug 10 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 28 – Jun 13 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 10 – Jul 26 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 10 – Nov 10 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 05408 is matched to the NOAA station S Hero, VT, 13.4 km away, at 110 ft elevation (57 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| S Hero, VT (used) | 110 ft | Apr 28 | Oct 20 |
| Burlington Intl Ap, VT | 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 |
Frost dates near Burlington
- Burlington, VT 05401 · last Apr 29, first Oct 15
- Colchester, VT 05446 · last May 2, first Oct 11
- Winooski, VT 05404 · last Apr 29, first Oct 15
- South Burlington, VT 05403 · last Apr 29, first Oct 15
- Essex Junction, VT 05452 · last May 2, first Oct 11
- Port Kent, NY 12975 · last May 2, first Oct 14
- Shelburne, VT 05482 · last May 2, first Oct 14
- Williston, VT 05495 · last Apr 29, first Oct 15
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Burlington, VT?
- For ZIP code 05408, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 28, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the S Hero, VT weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 10.
- When is the first frost in Burlington, VT?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 20. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 4, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 05408?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 174 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.