Frost dates for 05753Middlebury, VT
The average last spring frost in Middlebury is May 5 and the average first fall frost is October 3, giving a typical growing season of about 151 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 5
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 3
- Growing season
- 151 days
Safer after May 20 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 21 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 185 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 3 · May 18 · Jun 3 | Sep 10 · Sep 25 · Oct 6 | 128 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 23 · May 5 · May 20 | Sep 21 · Oct 3 · Oct 19 | 151 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 12 · Apr 26 · May 8 | Oct 1 · Oct 16 · Nov 1 | 173 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Middlebury
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 4 – Jun 10 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 21 – Jun 13 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 4 – May 5 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 4 – Jul 5 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 21 – May 20 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 4 – Jul 5 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 4 – Jun 23 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 21 – Jul 5 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 4 – Jul 5 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 21 – Jul 16 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 21 – Jun 13 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 4 – Jul 5 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 28 – Jun 20 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 4 – May 20 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 4 – Jun 4 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 21 – Mar 20 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 21 – May 20 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 17 – Apr 20 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 21 – May 20 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 3 – Jun 13 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Jul 14 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 7 – Apr 4 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 4 – May 5 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 24 – Jun 23 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 23 – Jul 24 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 4 – Jun 20 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 23 – Aug 9 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – May 11 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Aug 14 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 4 – May 25 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 23 – Aug 24 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 21 – May 11 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 16 – Jul 24 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 5 – Jun 20 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 24 – Jul 9 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 23 – Oct 24 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 05753 is matched to the NOAA station Cornwall, VT, 5 km away, at 345 ft elevation (6 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cornwall, VT (used) | 345 ft | May 5 | Oct 3 |
| Salisbury 2 N, VT | 420 ft | May 21 | Sep 26 |
| S Lincoln, VT | 1,341 ft | May 21 | Sep 25 |
| Vergennes, VT | 196 ft | Apr 30 | Oct 17 |
Frost dates near Middlebury
- East Middlebury, VT 05740 · last May 21, first Sep 26
- Whiting, VT 05778 · last May 5, first Oct 3
- Salisbury, VT 05769 · last May 21, first Sep 26
- Ripton, VT 05766 · last May 21, first Sep 25
- New Haven, VT 05472 · last May 5, first Oct 3
- Bridport, VT 05734 · last May 5, first Oct 3
- Shoreham, VT 05770 · last May 5, first Oct 3
- Vergennes, VT 05491 · last Apr 30, first Oct 17
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Middlebury, VT?
- For ZIP code 05753, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 5, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Cornwall, VT weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 20.
- When is the first frost in Middlebury, VT?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 3. 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 05753?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 151 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.