Frost dates for 05444Cambridge, VT
The average last spring frost in Cambridge is May 20 and the average first fall frost is September 28, giving a typical growing season of about 129 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 20
- Average first fall frost
- Sep 28
- Growing season
- 129 days
Safer after Jun 4 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 14 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 200 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 19 · Jun 2 · Jun 14 | Sep 4 · Sep 16 · Sep 29 | 105 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | May 6 · May 20 · Jun 4 | Sep 14 · Sep 28 · Oct 10 | 129 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 25 · May 7 · May 23 | Sep 26 · Oct 7 · Oct 24 | 153 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Cambridge
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 19 – Jun 25 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Jun 5 – Jun 8 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 19 – May 20 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 19 – Jul 20 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | May 6 – Jun 4 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 19 – Jul 20 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 19 – Jun 18 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Jun 5 – Jul 20 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 19 – Jul 20 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Jun 5 – Jul 11 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Jun 5 – Jun 8 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 19 – Jul 20 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 12 – Jul 5 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 19 – Jun 4 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 19 – Jun 19 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 8 – Apr 4 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 6 – Jun 4 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Apr 1 – May 5 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 6 – Jun 4 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 29 – Jun 8 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Jul 9 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 22 – Apr 19 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 19 – May 20 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 19 – Jun 18 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 18 – Jul 19 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 19 – Jul 5 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 18 – Aug 4 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – May 26 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Aug 9 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 19 – Jun 9 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 18 – Aug 19 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 6 – May 26 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 11 – Jul 19 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 20 – Jul 5 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 19 – Jul 4 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 18 – Oct 19 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 05444 is matched to the NOAA station Morrisville Stowe State Ap, VT, 23.3 km away, at 732 ft elevation (36 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Morrisville Stowe State Ap, VT (used) | 732 ft | May 20 | Sep 28 |
| Mt Mansfield, VT | 3,950 ft | May 23 | Sep 30 |
| Johnson 2 N, VT | 980 ft | May 9 | Oct 1 |
| Essex Junction 1 N, VT | 340 ft | May 2 | Oct 11 |
Frost dates near Cambridge
- Jeffersonville, VT 05464 · last May 20, first Sep 28
- Alburgh, VT 05440 · last May 9, first Oct 1
- Westford, VT 05494 · last May 2, first Oct 11
- Underhill, VT 05489 · last May 20, first Sep 28
- Underhill Center, VT 05490 · last May 20, first Sep 28
- East Fairfield, VT 05448 · last May 5, first Oct 8
- Fairfax, VT 05454 · last May 2, first Oct 11
- Waterville, VT 05492 · last May 20, first Sep 28
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Cambridge, VT?
- For ZIP code 05444, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 20, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Morrisville Stowe State Ap, VT weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after June 4.
- When is the first frost in Cambridge, VT?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is September 28. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 14, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 05444?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 129 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.