Frost dates for 05448East Fairfield, VT
The average last spring frost in East Fairfield is May 5 and the average first fall frost is October 8, giving a typical growing season of about 155 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 5
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 8
- Growing season
- 155 days
Safer after May 20 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 28 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 183 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 4 · May 18 · May 31 | Sep 15 · Sep 28 · Oct 10 | 131 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 24 · May 5 · May 20 | Sep 28 · Oct 8 · Oct 24 | 155 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 14 · Apr 26 · May 7 | Oct 5 · Oct 19 · Nov 4 | 177 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for East Fairfield
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 4 – Jun 10 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 21 – Jun 18 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 4 – May 5 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 4 – Jul 5 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 21 – May 20 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 4 – Jul 5 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 4 – Jun 28 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 21 – Jul 5 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 4 – Jul 5 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 21 – Jul 21 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 21 – Jun 18 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 4 – Jul 5 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 28 – Jun 20 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 4 – May 20 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 4 – Jun 4 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 21 – Mar 20 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 21 – May 20 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 17 – Apr 20 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 21 – May 20 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 8 – Jun 18 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Jul 19 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 7 – Apr 4 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 4 – May 5 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 29 – Jun 28 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Jul 29 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 4 – Jun 20 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Aug 14 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – May 11 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Aug 19 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 4 – May 25 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Aug 29 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 21 – May 11 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 21 – Jul 29 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 5 – Jun 20 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 29 – Jul 14 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 28 – Oct 29 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 05448 is matched to the NOAA station Eden 2 S, VT, 26.8 km away, at 1,456 ft elevation (101 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eden 2 S, VT (used) | 1,456 ft | May 5 | Oct 8 |
| Johnson 2 N, VT | 980 ft | May 9 | Oct 1 |
| Enosburg Falls 2, VT | 425 ft | May 18 | Sep 30 |
| Enosburg Falls, VT | 420 ft | May 14 | Oct 1 |
Frost dates near East Fairfield
- Waterville, VT 05492 · last May 20, first Sep 28
- Bakersfield, VT 05441 · last May 9, first Oct 1
- Fairfield, VT 05455 · last May 14, first Oct 1
- Jeffersonville, VT 05464 · last May 20, first Sep 28
- Fairfax, VT 05454 · last May 2, first Oct 11
- Cambridge, VT 05444 · last May 20, first Sep 28
- Belvidere Center, VT 05442 · last May 14, first Oct 1
- Alburgh, VT 05440 · last May 9, first Oct 1
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in East Fairfield, VT?
- For ZIP code 05448, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 5, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Eden 2 S, VT weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 20.
- When is the first frost in East Fairfield, VT?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 8. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 28, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 05448?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 155 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.