Frost dates for 05903Canaan, VT
The average last spring frost in Canaan is May 31 and the average first fall frost is September 21, giving a typical growing season of about 112 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 31
- Average first fall frost
- Sep 21
- Growing season
- 112 days
Safer after Jun 14 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 7 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 211 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 29 · Jun 10 · Jul 1 | Aug 19 · Sep 7 · Sep 21 | 86 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | May 16 · May 31 · Jun 14 | Sep 7 · Sep 21 · Oct 2 | 112 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | May 2 · May 17 · May 31 | Sep 20 · Oct 1 · Oct 13 | 135 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Canaan
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 30 – Jul 6 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Jun 16 – Jun 1 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 30 – May 31 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 30 – Jul 31 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | May 17 – Jun 15 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 30 – Jul 31 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 30 – Jun 11 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Jun 16 – Jul 31 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 30 – Jul 31 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Jun 16 – Jul 4 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Jun 16 – Jun 1 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 30 – Jul 31 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 23 – Jul 16 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 30 – Jun 15 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 30 – Jun 30 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 19 – Apr 15 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 17 – Jun 15 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Apr 12 – May 16 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 17 – Jun 15 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 22 – Jun 1 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 21 – Jul 2 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Apr 2 – Apr 30 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 30 – May 31 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 12 – Jun 11 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 11 – Jul 12 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 30 – Jul 16 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 11 – Jul 28 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 23 – Jun 6 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Aug 2 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 30 – Jun 20 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 11 – Aug 12 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 17 – Jun 6 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 4 – Jul 12 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 31 – Jul 16 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 12 – Jun 27 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 11 – Oct 12 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 05903 is matched to the NOAA station Colebrook 3Sw, NH, 12.9 km away, at 1,120 ft elevation (278 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colebrook 3Sw, NH (used) | 1,120 ft | May 31 | Sep 21 |
| Averill, VT | 1,699 ft | May 25 | Sep 22 |
| First Connecticut Lake, NH | 1,650 ft | May 25 | Sep 24 |
| Island Pond Ap, VT | 1,194 ft | May 16 | Sep 28 |
Frost dates near Canaan
- Beecher Falls, VT 05902 · last May 31, first Sep 21
- Colebrook, NH 03576 · last May 31, first Sep 21
- Averill, VT 05901 · last May 25, first Sep 22
- Norton, VT 05907 · last May 25, first Sep 22
- Pittsburg, NH 03592 · last May 25, first Sep 24
- North Stratford, NH 03590 · last May 23, first Sep 22
- Island Pond, VT 05846 · last May 19, first Sep 29
- Guildhall, VT 05905 · last May 19, first Sep 29
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Canaan, VT?
- For ZIP code 05903, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 31, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Colebrook 3Sw, NH weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after June 14.
- When is the first frost in Canaan, VT?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is September 21. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 7, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 05903?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 112 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.