Vermont Planting Calendar

Frost dates, growing zones, and planting dates for Vermont gardeners.

Zone 3b Zone 4a Zone 4b Zone 5a Zone 5b

The Short Answer

Vermont spans USDA zones 3b through 5b, which means planting dates vary significantly across the state. Northern Vermont has an average last frost around May 20 - Jun 5, while Southern Vermont sees its last frost around May 5 - May 20. Use our homepage tool with your zip code for dates specific to your exact location.

Vermont Frost Dates by Region

Short growing season. Cold winters. Cool summers. Long summer days help compensate. Season extension techniques valuable.

Region	Zones	Last Frost (Spring)	First Frost (Fall)
Northern Vermont	3b, 4a	May 20 - Jun 5	Sep 5 - Sep 20
Central Vermont	4a, 4b, 5a	May 10 - May 25	Sep 15 - Oct 1
Southern Vermont	4b, 5a, 5b	May 5 - May 20	Sep 20 - Oct 5

Soil & Growing Conditions

Rocky, acidic soils typical of New England. Glacial deposits. Thin mountain soils. Raised beds very popular.

What to Plant in Vermont

Vermont's short growing season rewards strategic planning. Cold-hardy crops are your strength, and warm-season crops need indoor starting. These are the best performers for Vermont's climate:

Top Picks for Vermont

Kale Garlic Potatoes Peas Carrots Lettuce Broccoli Beets Radishes Spinach Beans (Green/Snap)Cabbage Daffodils

Worth the Effort

With indoor starting and season extension, Vermont gardeners also grow excellent tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, and sunflowers. The long summer daylight hours drive faster growth than you'd expect:

Tomatoes Peppers Cucumbers Squash (Summer)Basil Sunflowers Zinnias Corn (Sweet)

Browse all 100 plants — or enter your zip code for personalized planting dates.

Neighboring States

Gardeners near state borders may find useful information in neighboring state guides:

Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming

Note: Frost dates are based on NOAA 30-year Climate Normals and represent historical averages. Actual frost dates can vary significantly year to year. Zone data is from the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map.

Last reviewed: March 29, 2026