Frost dates for 05833East Charleston, VT
The average last spring frost in East Charleston is May 19 and the average first fall frost is September 29, giving a typical growing season of about 129 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 19
- Average first fall frost
- Sep 29
- Growing season
- 129 days
Safer after Jun 3 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 14 (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 20 · Jun 2 · Jun 16 | Sep 2 · Sep 15 · Sep 30 | 103 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | May 3 · May 19 · Jun 3 | Sep 14 · Sep 29 · Oct 13 | 129 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 23 · May 5 · May 19 | Sep 25 · Oct 9 · Oct 28 | 155 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for East Charleston
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 18 – Jun 24 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Jun 4 – Jun 9 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 18 – May 19 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 18 – Jul 19 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | May 5 – Jun 3 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 18 – Jul 19 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 18 – Jun 19 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Jun 4 – Jul 19 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 18 – Jul 19 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Jun 4 – Jul 12 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Jun 4 – Jun 9 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 18 – Jul 19 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 11 – Jul 4 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 18 – Jun 3 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 18 – Jun 18 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 7 – Apr 3 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 5 – Jun 3 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 31 – May 4 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 5 – Jun 3 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 30 – Jun 9 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Jul 10 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 21 – Apr 18 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 18 – May 19 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 20 – Jun 19 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 19 – Jul 20 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 18 – Jul 4 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 19 – Aug 5 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 11 – May 25 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 6 – Aug 10 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 18 – Jun 8 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 19 – Aug 20 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 5 – May 25 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 12 – Jul 20 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 19 – Jul 4 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 20 – Jul 5 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 19 – Oct 20 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 05833 is matched to the NOAA station Island Pond, VT, 7 km away, at 1,200 ft elevation (24 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Island Pond, VT (used) | 1,200 ft | May 19 | Sep 29 |
| Island Pond Ap, VT | 1,194 ft | May 16 | Sep 28 |
| Sutton 2Ne, VT | 1,000 ft | Jun 1 | Sep 13 |
| Newport, VT | 790 ft | May 14 | Sep 30 |
Frost dates near East Charleston
- Morgan, VT 05853 · last May 19, first Sep 29
- Island Pond, VT 05846 · last May 19, first Sep 29
- West Charleston, VT 05872 · last May 19, first Sep 29
- Orleans, VT 05860 · last May 19, first Sep 29
- Barton, VT 05822 · last Jun 1, first Sep 13
- Derby, VT 05829 · last May 14, first Sep 30
- West Burke, VT 05871 · last May 9, first Oct 1
- Derby Line, VT 05830 · last May 19, first Sep 29
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in East Charleston, VT?
- For ZIP code 05833, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 19, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Island Pond, VT weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after June 3.
- When is the first frost in East Charleston, VT?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is September 29. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 14, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 05833?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 129 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.