Frost dates for 05838East Saint Johnsbury, VT
The average last spring frost in East Saint Johnsbury is May 13 and the average first fall frost is October 3, giving a typical growing season of about 143 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 13
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 3
- Growing season
- 143 days
Safer after May 25 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 21 (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 11 · May 25 · Jun 5 | Sep 11 · Sep 24 · Oct 4 | 121 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 30 · May 13 · May 25 | Sep 21 · Oct 3 · Oct 16 | 143 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 20 · May 1 · May 15 | Oct 1 · Oct 13 · Oct 29 | 164 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for East Saint Johnsbury
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 12 – Jun 18 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 29 – Jun 13 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 12 – May 13 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 12 – Jul 13 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 29 – May 28 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 12 – Jul 13 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 12 – Jun 23 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 29 – Jul 13 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 12 – Jul 13 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 29 – Jul 16 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 29 – Jun 13 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 12 – Jul 13 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 5 – Jun 28 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – May 28 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – Jun 12 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 1 – Mar 28 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 29 – May 28 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 25 – Apr 28 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 29 – May 28 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 3 – Jun 13 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Jul 14 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 15 – Apr 12 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – May 13 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 24 – Jun 23 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 23 – Jul 24 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – Jun 28 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 23 – Aug 9 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – May 19 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Aug 14 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – Jun 2 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 23 – Aug 24 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 29 – May 19 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 16 – Jul 24 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 13 – Jun 28 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 24 – Jul 9 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 23 – Oct 24 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 05838 is matched to the NOAA station Saint Johnsbury, VT, 6.2 km away, at 700 ft elevation (100 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saint Johnsbury, VT (used) | 700 ft | May 13 | Oct 3 |
| Saint Johnsbury, VT | 700 ft | May 10 | Oct 3 |
| Sutton, VT | 1,500 ft | May 9 | Oct 1 |
| E Haven, VT | 1,000 ft | May 30 | Sep 16 |
Frost dates near East Saint Johnsbury
- Saint Johnsbury, VT 05819 · last May 10, first Oct 3
- Saint Johnsbury Center, VT 05863 · last May 10, first Oct 3
- Concord, VT 05824 · last May 27, first Sep 19
- Lyndon, VT 05849 · last Jun 1, first Sep 13
- Lower Waterford, VT 05848 · last May 24, first Sep 18
- Passumpsic, VT 05861 · last May 13, first Oct 3
- Lyndon Center, VT 05850 · last May 13, first Oct 3
- Danville, VT 05828 · last May 9, first Oct 1
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in East Saint Johnsbury, VT?
- For ZIP code 05838, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 13, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Saint Johnsbury, VT weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 25.
- When is the first frost in East Saint Johnsbury, 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 05838?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 143 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.