Frost dates for 05745Forest Dale, VT
The average last spring frost in Forest Dale is May 21 and the average first fall frost is September 26, giving a typical growing season of about 127 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 21
- Average first fall frost
- Sep 26
- Growing season
- 127 days
Safer after Jun 7 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 13 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 199 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 19 · Jun 4 · Jun 24 | Sep 1 · Sep 15 · Sep 29 | 101 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | May 4 · May 21 · Jun 7 | Sep 13 · Sep 26 · Oct 8 | 127 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 24 · May 7 · May 23 | Sep 22 · Oct 6 · Oct 21 | 149 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Forest Dale
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 20 – Jun 26 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Jun 6 – Jun 6 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 20 – May 21 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 20 – Jul 21 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | May 7 – Jun 5 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 20 – Jul 21 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 20 – Jun 16 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Jun 6 – Jul 21 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 20 – Jul 21 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Jun 6 – Jul 9 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Jun 6 – Jun 6 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 20 – Jul 21 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 13 – Jul 6 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 20 – Jun 5 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 20 – Jun 20 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 9 – Apr 5 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 7 – Jun 5 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Apr 2 – May 6 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 7 – Jun 5 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 27 – Jun 6 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 26 – Jul 7 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 23 – Apr 20 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 20 – May 21 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 17 – Jun 16 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 16 – Jul 17 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 20 – Jul 6 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 16 – Aug 2 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 13 – May 27 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Aug 7 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 20 – Jun 10 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 16 – Aug 17 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 7 – May 27 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 9 – Jul 17 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 21 – Jul 6 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 17 – Jul 2 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 16 – Oct 17 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 05745 is matched to the NOAA station Salisbury 2 N, VT, 11.5 km away, at 420 ft elevation (174 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salisbury 2 N, VT (used) | 420 ft | May 21 | Sep 26 |
| Cornwall, VT | 345 ft | May 5 | Oct 3 |
| Rochester, VT | 830 ft | May 13 | Oct 2 |
| Rutland, VT | 620 ft | May 15 | Sep 27 |
Frost dates near Forest Dale
- Brandon, VT 05733 · last May 21, first Sep 26
- Salisbury, VT 05769 · last May 21, first Sep 26
- Pittsford, VT 05763 · last May 15, first Sep 27
- Florence, VT 05744 · last May 15, first Sep 27
- Whiting, VT 05778 · last May 5, first Oct 3
- Hancock, VT 05748 · last May 21, first Sep 25
- Chittenden, VT 05737 · last May 21, first Sep 25
- East Middlebury, VT 05740 · last May 21, first Sep 26
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Forest Dale, VT?
- For ZIP code 05745, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 21, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Salisbury 2 N, VT weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after June 7.
- When is the first frost in Forest Dale, VT?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is September 26. 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 05745?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 127 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.