Frost dates for 05675Washington, VT
The average last spring frost in Washington is May 9 and the average first fall frost is October 1, giving a typical growing season of about 143 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 9
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 1
- Growing season
- 143 days
Safer after May 24 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 21 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 189 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 8 · May 23 · Jun 5 | Sep 9 · Sep 22 · Oct 2 | 120 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 28 · May 9 · May 24 | Sep 21 · Oct 1 · Oct 13 | 143 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 17 · Apr 29 · May 11 | Sep 30 · Oct 10 · Oct 26 | 164 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Washington
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 8 – Jun 14 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 25 – Jun 11 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 8 – May 9 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 8 – Jul 9 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 25 – May 24 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 8 – Jul 9 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 8 – Jun 21 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 25 – Jul 9 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 8 – Jul 9 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 25 – Jul 14 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 25 – Jun 11 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 8 – Jul 9 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 1 – Jun 24 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – May 24 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – Jun 8 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 25 – Mar 24 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 25 – May 24 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 21 – Apr 24 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 25 – May 24 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 1 – Jun 11 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Jul 12 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 11 – Apr 8 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – May 9 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 22 – Jun 21 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 21 – Jul 22 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – Jun 24 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 21 – Aug 7 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – May 15 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Aug 12 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – May 29 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 21 – Aug 22 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 25 – May 15 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 14 – Jul 22 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 9 – Jun 24 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 22 – Jul 7 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 21 – Oct 22 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 05675 is matched to the NOAA station Chelsea 2 Nw, VT, 8.8 km away, at 1,440 ft elevation (184 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chelsea 2 Nw, VT (used) | 1,440 ft | May 9 | Oct 1 |
| Corinth, VT | 1,180 ft | May 14 | Sep 29 |
| Barre Montpelier Ap, VT | 1,126 ft | May 16 | Sep 29 |
| Northfield, VT | 670 ft | May 18 | Sep 28 |
Frost dates near Washington
- East Barre, VT 05649 · last May 16, first Sep 29
- Websterville, VT 05678 · last May 16, first Sep 29
- Thetford, VT 05074 · last May 9, first Oct 1
- Chelsea, VT 05038 · last May 9, first Oct 1
- Graniteville, VT 05654 · last May 16, first Sep 29
- Williamstown, VT 05679 · last May 18, first Sep 28
- South Barre, VT 05670 · last May 25, first Sep 22
- Corinth, VT 05039 · last May 14, first Sep 29
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Washington, VT?
- For ZIP code 05675, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 9, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Chelsea 2 Nw, VT weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 24.
- When is the first frost in Washington, VT?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 1. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 21, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 05675?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 143 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.