Frost dates for 05633Montpelier, VT
The average last spring frost in Montpelier is May 5 and the average first fall frost is October 9, giving a typical growing season of about 157 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 5
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 9
- Growing season
- 157 days
Safer after May 21 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 28 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 185 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 3 · May 18 · May 31 | Sep 17 · Oct 1 · Oct 13 | 134 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 23 · May 5 · May 21 | Sep 28 · Oct 9 · Oct 24 | 157 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 12 · Apr 24 · May 8 | Oct 6 · Oct 21 · Nov 6 | 178 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Montpelier
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 19 |
| 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 29 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 21 – Jul 5 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 4 – Jul 5 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 21 – Jul 22 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 21 – Jun 19 |
| 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 9 – Jun 19 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Jul 20 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 7 – Apr 4 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 4 – May 5 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 30 – Jun 29 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Jul 30 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 4 – Jun 20 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Aug 15 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – May 11 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Aug 20 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 4 – May 25 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Aug 30 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 21 – May 11 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Jul 30 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 5 – Jun 20 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 30 – Jul 15 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 29 – Oct 30 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 05633 is matched to the NOAA station Montpelier 2, VT, 1.3 km away, at 530 ft elevation (61 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Montpelier 2, VT (used) | 530 ft | May 5 | Oct 9 |
| Barre Montpelier Ap, VT | 1,126 ft | May 16 | Sep 29 |
| Northfield, VT | 670 ft | May 18 | Sep 28 |
| Worcester 2 W, VT | 1,360 ft | May 4 | Oct 5 |
Frost dates near Montpelier
- Montpelier, VT 05604 · last May 5, first Oct 9
- North Montpelier, VT 05666 · last May 5, first Oct 9
- East Montpelier, VT 05651 · last May 25, first Sep 22
- Barre, VT 05641 · last May 25, first Sep 22
- Northfield Falls, VT 05664 · last May 18, first Sep 28
- South Barre, VT 05670 · last May 25, first Sep 22
- Adamant, VT 05640 · last May 4, first Oct 5
- Plainfield, VT 05667 · last May 16, first Sep 29
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Montpelier, VT?
- For ZIP code 05633, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 5, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Montpelier 2, VT weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 21.
- When is the first frost in Montpelier, VT?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 9. 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 05633?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 157 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.