Frost dates for 05904Gilman, VT
The average last spring frost in Gilman is May 18 and the average first fall frost is September 30, giving a typical growing season of about 132 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 18
- Average first fall frost
- Sep 30
- Growing season
- 132 days
Safer after Jun 1 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 16 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 198 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 16 · May 31 · Jun 14 | Sep 5 · Sep 18 · Oct 1 | 111 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | May 3 · May 18 · Jun 1 | Sep 16 · Sep 30 · Oct 12 | 132 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 22 · May 5 · May 19 | Sep 27 · Oct 9 · Oct 27 | 157 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Gilman
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 17 – Jun 23 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Jun 3 – Jun 10 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 17 – May 18 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 17 – Jul 18 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | May 4 – Jun 2 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 17 – Jul 18 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 17 – Jun 20 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Jun 3 – Jul 18 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 17 – Jul 18 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Jun 3 – Jul 13 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Jun 3 – Jun 10 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 17 – Jul 18 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 10 – Jul 3 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 17 – Jun 2 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 17 – Jun 17 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 6 – Apr 2 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 4 – Jun 2 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 30 – May 3 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 4 – Jun 2 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 31 – Jun 10 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 30 – Jul 11 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 20 – Apr 17 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 17 – May 18 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 21 – Jun 20 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 20 – Jul 21 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 17 – Jul 3 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 20 – Aug 6 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 10 – May 24 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 7 – Aug 11 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 17 – Jun 7 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 20 – Aug 21 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 4 – May 24 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 13 – Jul 21 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 18 – Jul 3 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 21 – Jul 6 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 20 – Oct 21 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 05904 is matched to the NOAA station Lancaster, NH, 14.4 km away, at 860 ft elevation (19 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lancaster, NH (used) | 860 ft | May 18 | Sep 30 |
| Bethlehem 2, NH | 1,180 ft | May 24 | Sep 18 |
| Whitefield Mt Washington Ap, NH | 1,074 ft | May 27 | Sep 19 |
| Jefferson, NH | 1,235 ft | May 8 | Oct 1 |
Frost dates near Gilman
- Lunenburg, VT 05906 · last May 24, first Sep 18
- Whitefield, NH 03598 · last May 27, first Sep 19
- Littleton, NH 03561 · last May 24, first Sep 18
- Concord, VT 05824 · last May 27, first Sep 19
- Bethlehem, NH 03574 · last May 24, first Sep 18
- Lancaster, NH 03584 · last May 18, first Sep 30
- North Concord, VT 05858 · last Jun 1, first Sep 13
- Lower Waterford, VT 05848 · last May 24, first Sep 18
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Gilman, VT?
- For ZIP code 05904, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 18, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Lancaster, NH weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after June 1.
- When is the first frost in Gilman, VT?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is September 30. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 16, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 05904?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 132 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.