Frost dates for 05702Rutland, VT
The average last spring frost in Rutland is May 15 and the average first fall frost is September 27, giving a typical growing season of about 132 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 15
- Average first fall frost
- Sep 27
- Growing season
- 132 days
Safer after May 31 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 13 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 193 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 13 · May 29 · Jun 10 | Sep 4 · Sep 16 · Sep 29 | 110 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | May 1 · May 15 · May 31 | Sep 13 · Sep 27 · Oct 8 | 132 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 22 · May 2 · May 16 | Sep 23 · Oct 5 · Oct 21 | 155 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Rutland
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 14 – Jun 20 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 31 – Jun 7 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 14 – May 15 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 14 – Jul 15 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | May 1 – May 30 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 14 – Jul 15 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 14 – Jun 17 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 31 – Jul 15 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 14 – Jul 15 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 31 – Jul 10 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 31 – Jun 7 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 14 – Jul 15 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 7 – Jun 30 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 14 – May 30 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 14 – Jun 14 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 3 – Mar 30 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 1 – May 30 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 27 – Apr 30 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 1 – May 30 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 28 – Jun 7 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 27 – Jul 8 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 17 – Apr 14 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 14 – May 15 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 18 – Jun 17 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 17 – Jul 18 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 14 – Jun 30 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 17 – Aug 3 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – May 21 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Aug 8 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 14 – Jun 4 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 17 – Aug 18 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 1 – May 21 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 10 – Jul 18 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 15 – Jun 30 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 18 – Jul 3 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 17 – Oct 18 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 05702 is matched to the NOAA station Rutland, VT, 1.7 km away, at 620 ft elevation (26 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rutland, VT (used) | 620 ft | May 15 | Sep 27 |
| Rochester, VT | 830 ft | May 13 | Oct 2 |
| Whitehall, NY | 119 ft | Apr 30 | Oct 12 |
| Salisbury 2 N, VT | 420 ft | May 21 | Sep 26 |
Frost dates near Rutland
- Rutland, VT 05701 · last May 15, first Sep 27
- Center Rutland, VT 05736 · last May 15, first Sep 27
- North Clarendon, VT 05759 · last May 15, first Sep 27
- West Rutland, VT 05777 · last May 15, first Sep 27
- Proctor, VT 05765 · last May 15, first Sep 27
- Chittenden, VT 05737 · last May 21, first Sep 25
- Pittsford, VT 05763 · last May 15, first Sep 27
- Cuttingsville, VT 05738 · last May 16, first Oct 2
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Rutland, VT?
- For ZIP code 05702, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 15, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Rutland, VT weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 31.
- When is the first frost in Rutland, VT?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is September 27. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 13, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 05702?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 132 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.