Frost dates for 05748Hancock, VT
The average last spring frost in Hancock is May 21 and the average first fall frost is September 25, giving a typical growing season of about 124 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 21
- Average first fall frost
- Sep 25
- Growing season
- 124 days
Safer after Jun 6 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 8 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 201 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 20 · Jun 4 · Jun 25 | Aug 21 · Sep 12 · Sep 27 | 98 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | May 6 · May 21 · Jun 6 | Sep 8 · Sep 25 · Oct 7 | 124 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 25 · May 8 · May 23 | Sep 20 · Oct 5 · Oct 22 | 151 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Hancock
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 5 |
| 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 15 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Jun 6 – Jul 21 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 20 – Jul 21 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Jun 6 – Jul 8 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Jun 6 – Jun 5 |
| 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 26 – Jun 5 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Jul 6 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 23 – Apr 20 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 20 – May 21 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 16 – Jun 15 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 15 – Jul 16 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 20 – Jul 6 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 15 – Aug 1 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 13 – May 27 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Aug 6 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 20 – Jun 10 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 15 – Aug 16 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 7 – May 27 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 8 – Jul 16 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 21 – Jul 6 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 16 – Jul 1 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 15 – Oct 16 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 05748 is matched to the NOAA station S Lincoln, VT, 18.4 km away, at 1,341 ft elevation (1,179 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| S Lincoln, VT (used) | 1,341 ft | May 21 | Sep 25 |
| Rochester, VT | 830 ft | May 13 | Oct 2 |
| Salisbury 2 N, VT | 420 ft | May 21 | Sep 26 |
| Cornwall, VT | 345 ft | May 5 | Oct 3 |
Frost dates near Hancock
- Rochester, VT 05767 · last May 13, first Oct 2
- Granville, VT 05747 · last May 21, first Sep 25
- Ripton, VT 05766 · last May 21, first Sep 25
- Forest Dale, VT 05745 · last May 21, first Sep 26
- Salisbury, VT 05769 · last May 21, first Sep 26
- East Middlebury, VT 05740 · last May 21, first Sep 26
- Pittsfield, VT 05762 · last May 13, first Oct 2
- Brandon, VT 05733 · last May 21, first Sep 26
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Hancock, VT?
- For ZIP code 05748, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 21, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the S Lincoln, VT weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after June 6.
- When is the first frost in Hancock, VT?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is September 25. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 8, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 05748?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 124 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.