Frost dates for 05451Essex, VT
The average last spring frost in Essex is May 2 and the average first fall frost is October 11, giving a typical growing season of about 160 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 2
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 11
- Growing season
- 160 days
Safer after May 17 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 30 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 182 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 1 · May 16 · May 30 | Sep 19 · Oct 1 · Oct 13 | 137 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 21 · May 2 · May 17 | Sep 30 · Oct 11 · Oct 26 | 160 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 9 · Apr 23 · May 5 | Oct 8 · Oct 24 · Nov 7 | 183 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Essex
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 1 – Jun 7 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 18 – Jun 21 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 1 – May 2 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 1 – Jul 2 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 18 – May 17 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 1 – Jul 2 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 1 – Jul 1 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 18 – Jul 2 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 1 – Jul 2 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 18 – Jul 24 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 18 – Jun 21 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 1 – Jul 2 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 25 – Jun 17 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – May 17 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – Jun 1 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 18 – Mar 17 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 18 – May 17 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 14 – Apr 17 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 18 – May 17 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 11 – Jun 21 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Jul 22 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Apr 1 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – May 2 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 1 – Jul 1 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Aug 1 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – Jun 17 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Aug 17 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 25 – May 8 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Aug 22 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – May 22 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Sep 1 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 18 – May 8 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 24 – Aug 1 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 2 – Jun 17 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 1 – Jul 17 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 1 – Nov 1 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 05451 is matched to the NOAA station Essex Junction 1 N, VT, 5.2 km away, at 340 ft elevation (152 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essex Junction 1 N, VT (used) | 340 ft | May 2 | Oct 11 |
| Burlington Intl Ap, VT | 330 ft | Apr 29 | Oct 15 |
| Mt Mansfield, VT | 3,950 ft | May 23 | Sep 30 |
| S Hero, VT | 110 ft | Apr 28 | Oct 20 |
Frost dates near Essex
- Essex Junction, VT 05452 · last May 2, first Oct 11
- Burlington, VT 05402 · last Apr 29, first Oct 15
- South Burlington, VT 05407 · last Apr 29, first Oct 15
- Colchester, VT 05449 · last May 2, first Oct 11
- Williston, VT 05495 · last Apr 29, first Oct 15
- Jericho, VT 05465 · last May 20, first Sep 28
- Underhill, VT 05489 · last May 20, first Sep 28
- Winooski, VT 05404 · last Apr 29, first Oct 15
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Essex, VT?
- For ZIP code 05451, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 2, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Essex Junction 1 N, VT weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 17.
- When is the first frost in Essex, VT?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 11. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 30, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 05451?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 160 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.