Frost dates for 05736Center Rutland, VT
The average last spring frost in Center 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 Center 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 05736 is matched to the NOAA station Rutland, VT, 4 km away, at 620 ft elevation (121 ft higher 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 |
| Whitehall, NY | 119 ft | Apr 30 | Oct 12 |
| Rochester, VT | 830 ft | May 13 | Oct 2 |
| Salisbury 2 N, VT | 420 ft | May 21 | Sep 26 |
Frost dates near Center Rutland
- West Rutland, VT 05777 · last May 15, first Sep 27
- Rutland, VT 05702 · last May 15, first Sep 27
- Proctor, VT 05765 · last May 15, first Sep 27
- North Clarendon, VT 05759 · last May 15, first Sep 27
- Pittsford, VT 05763 · last May 15, first Sep 27
- Castleton, VT 05735 · last May 15, first Sep 27
- Florence, VT 05744 · last May 15, first Sep 27
- Chittenden, VT 05737 · last May 21, first Sep 25
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Center Rutland, VT?
- For ZIP code 05736, 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 Center 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 05736?
- 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.