Frost dates for 05641Barre, VT
The average last spring frost in Barre is May 25 and the average first fall frost is September 22, giving a typical growing season of about 119 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 25
- Average first fall frost
- Sep 22
- Growing season
- 119 days
Safer after Jun 7 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 9 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 205 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 24 · Jun 6 · Jun 23 | Aug 29 · Sep 10 · Sep 24 | 95 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | May 9 · May 25 · Jun 7 | Sep 9 · Sep 22 · Oct 4 | 119 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 28 · May 11 · May 27 | Sep 18 · Oct 2 · Oct 15 | 141 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Barre
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 24 – Jun 30 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Jun 10 – Jun 2 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 24 – May 25 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 24 – Jul 25 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | May 11 – Jun 9 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 24 – Jul 25 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 24 – Jun 12 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Jun 10 – Jul 25 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 24 – Jul 25 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Jun 10 – Jul 5 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Jun 10 – Jun 2 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 24 – Jul 25 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 17 – Jul 10 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 24 – Jun 9 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 24 – Jun 24 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 13 – Apr 9 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 11 – Jun 9 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Apr 6 – May 10 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 11 – Jun 9 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 23 – Jun 2 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Jul 3 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 27 – Apr 24 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 24 – May 25 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 13 – Jun 12 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 12 – Jul 13 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 24 – Jul 10 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 12 – Jul 29 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 17 – May 31 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Aug 3 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 24 – Jun 14 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 12 – Aug 13 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 11 – May 31 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 5 – Jul 13 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 25 – Jul 10 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 13 – Jun 28 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 12 – Oct 13 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 05641 is matched to the NOAA station Plainfield, VT, 11 km away, at 800 ft elevation (68 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plainfield, VT (used) | 800 ft | May 25 | Sep 22 |
| Barre Montpelier Ap, VT | 1,126 ft | May 16 | Sep 29 |
| Montpelier 2, VT | 530 ft | May 5 | Oct 9 |
| Northfield, VT | 670 ft | May 18 | Sep 28 |
Frost dates near Barre
- South Barre, VT 05670 · last May 25, first Sep 22
- Graniteville, VT 05654 · last May 16, first Sep 29
- Websterville, VT 05678 · last May 16, first Sep 29
- East Barre, VT 05649 · last May 16, first Sep 29
- Montpelier, VT 05601 · last May 16, first Sep 29
- Williamstown, VT 05679 · last May 18, first Sep 28
- Plainfield, VT 05667 · last May 16, first Sep 29
- East Montpelier, VT 05651 · last May 25, first Sep 22
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Barre, VT?
- For ZIP code 05641, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 25, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Plainfield, VT weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after June 7.
- When is the first frost in Barre, VT?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is September 22. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 9, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 05641?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 119 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.