Brandon, VT frost dates
Last spring frostMay 21median date
First fall frostSep 26median date
Growing season128 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone5aZone 5a
How Brandon compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Brandon falls between May 4 and June 7, a 34-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 13 and October 8.
- The median last frost is 8 days later than the Vermont median of May 13.
- Its 128-day growing season is longer than 7% of the 286 Vermont places with a regular frost season (state median 143 days).
- The last frost is 18 days later than the zone 5a median of May 3. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 5a chart.
- The weather station records an average of 168 nights a year at or below 32°F.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | May 4 |
| 50% (median) | May 21 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | June 7 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 13 |
| 50% (median) | September 26 |
| 90% (late) | October 8 |
Frost here means 32°F (0°C). A median date means half of years have their last frost earlier and half later.
Planting calendar for Brandon, VT
Brandon, VT frost dates — last frost May 21, first frost Sep 26, zone 5a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Feb 26 to Mar 12Transplant outside: Apr 23 to May 7
Start indoors: Mar 12 to Mar 26Transplant outside: Jun 4 to Jun 18
Start indoors: Mar 12 to Mar 26Transplant outside: Jun 4 to Jun 18
Start indoors: Mar 26 to Apr 9Transplant outside: May 28 to Jun 11
Start indoors: Mar 26 to Apr 9Transplant outside: Apr 30 to May 14Sow outdoors: Apr 23 to May 28Plant for fall: Aug 1 to Aug 29
Start indoors: Mar 26 to Apr 9Transplant outside: Apr 23 to May 7Sow outdoors: Apr 23 to May 7Plant for fall: Jul 18 to Aug 8
Start indoors: Mar 26 to Apr 9Transplant outside: May 7 to May 21Plant for fall: Jun 20 to Jul 11
Start indoors: Mar 26 to Apr 9Transplant outside: Apr 30 to May 14Plant for fall: Jun 20 to Jul 11
Start indoors: Mar 26 to Apr 9Transplant outside: May 7 to May 21Plant for fall: Jun 20 to Jul 11
Start indoors: Apr 9 to Apr 23Transplant outside: Jun 11 to Jun 25Sow outdoors: Jun 11 to Jun 25
Start indoors: Apr 9 to Apr 23Transplant outside: May 28 to Jun 11
Sow outdoors: Apr 9 to Apr 30Plant for fall: Jul 4 to Jul 25
Sow outdoors: Apr 9 to Apr 30Plant for fall: Aug 1 to Aug 22
Sow outdoors: Apr 16 to May 28Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Sep 5
Start indoors: Apr 23 to Apr 30Transplant outside: Jun 4 to Jun 11Sow outdoors: May 28 to Jun 11Plant for fall: Jul 11 to Jul 25
Start indoors: Apr 23 to Apr 30Sow outdoors: May 28 to Jun 11Plant for fall: Jul 18 to Aug 1
Start indoors: Apr 23 to Apr 30Sow outdoors: May 28 to Jun 11
Start indoors: Apr 23 to Apr 30Transplant outside: Jun 4 to Jun 18
Sow outdoors: Apr 30 to May 28Plant for fall: Jul 4 to Jul 18
Sow outdoors: Apr 30 to May 28Plant for fall: Jul 18 to Aug 1
Sow outdoors: Apr 30 to May 21
Sow outdoors: May 7 to Jun 4Plant for fall: Jul 18 to Aug 1
Sow outdoors: May 7 to May 28Plant for fall: Aug 1 to Aug 22
Sow outdoors: May 28 to Jun 18Plant for fall: Jul 11 to Jul 25
Sow outdoors: May 28 to Jun 11
Transplant outside: Jun 4 to Jun 25
Plant for fall: Sep 12 to Oct 17
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Brandon, VT
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Apr 23 – May 7 | — | — |
| Peppers | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | Jun 4 – Jun 18 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | Jun 4 – Jun 18 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | May 28 – Jun 11 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | Apr 30 – May 14 | Apr 23 – May 28 | Aug 1 – Aug 29 |
| Kale | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | Apr 23 – May 7 | Apr 23 – May 7 | Jul 18 – Aug 8 |
| Broccoli | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | May 7 – May 21 | — | Jun 20 – Jul 11 |
| Cabbage | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | Apr 30 – May 14 | — | Jun 20 – Jul 11 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | May 7 – May 21 | — | Jun 20 – Jul 11 |
| Okra | Apr 9 – Apr 23 | Jun 11 – Jun 25 | Jun 11 – Jun 25 | — |
| Basil | Apr 9 – Apr 23 | May 28 – Jun 11 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Apr 9 – Apr 30 | Jul 4 – Jul 25 |
| Spinach | — | — | Apr 9 – Apr 30 | Aug 1 – Aug 22 |
| Radishes | — | — | Apr 16 – May 28 | Aug 15 – Sep 5 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 23 – Apr 30 | Jun 4 – Jun 11 | May 28 – Jun 11 | Jul 11 – Jul 25 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 23 – Apr 30 | — | May 28 – Jun 11 | Jul 18 – Aug 1 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 23 – Apr 30 | — | May 28 – Jun 11 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 23 – Apr 30 | Jun 4 – Jun 18 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 30 – May 28 | Jul 4 – Jul 18 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 30 – May 28 | Jul 18 – Aug 1 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 30 – May 21 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | May 7 – Jun 4 | Jul 18 – Aug 1 |
| Cilantro | — | — | May 7 – May 28 | Aug 1 – Aug 22 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 28 – Jun 18 | Jul 11 – Jul 25 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 28 – Jun 11 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Jun 4 – Jun 25 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 12 – Oct 17 |
Dates come from the median frost dates and common extension-service timing. Adjust for your soil temperature, microclimate and the varieties you grow.
About these dates
Based on 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for the Salisbury 2 N, VT weather station, 13 km away (elevation 420 ft (128 m)).
Frost dates near Brandon
- Forest Dale May 21 · Sep 26
- Salisbury May 21 · Sep 26
- Florence May 15 · Sep 27
- Pittsford May 15 · Sep 27
- Whiting May 5 · Oct 3
- Chittenden May 15 · Sep 27
- Orwell May 5 · Oct 3
- Proctor May 15 · Sep 27
- Hancock May 13 · Oct 2
- East Middlebury May 21 · Sep 26
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Brandon, VT?
The median last spring frost in Brandon, VT is May 21. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after June 7, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Brandon, VT?
The median first fall frost is September 26, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 13.
How long is the growing season in Brandon, VT?
About 128 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Brandon, VT?
Brandon, VT is in USDA hardiness zone 5a.