Bristol, VT frost dates
Last spring frostMay 21median date
First fall frostSep 25median date
Growing season127 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone5aZone 5a
How Bristol compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Bristol falls between May 6 and June 6, a 31-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 8 and October 7.
- The median last frost is 8 days later than the Vermont median of May 13.
- Its 127-day growing season is longer than 6% 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 178 nights a year at or below 32°F.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | May 6 |
| 50% (median) | May 21 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | June 6 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 8 |
| 50% (median) | September 25 |
| 90% (late) | October 7 |
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 Bristol, VT
Bristol, VT frost dates — last frost May 21, first frost Sep 25, zone 5a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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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: Jul 31 to Aug 28
Start indoors: Mar 26 to Apr 9Transplant outside: Apr 23 to May 7Sow outdoors: Apr 23 to May 7Plant for fall: Jul 17 to Aug 7
Start indoors: Mar 26 to Apr 9Transplant outside: May 7 to May 21Plant for fall: Jun 19 to Jul 10
Start indoors: Mar 26 to Apr 9Transplant outside: Apr 30 to May 14Plant for fall: Jun 19 to Jul 10
Start indoors: Mar 26 to Apr 9Transplant outside: May 7 to May 21Plant for fall: Jun 19 to Jul 10
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 3 to Jul 24
Sow outdoors: Apr 9 to Apr 30Plant for fall: Jul 31 to Aug 21
Sow outdoors: Apr 16 to May 28Plant for fall: Aug 14 to Sep 4
Start indoors: Apr 23 to Apr 30Transplant outside: Jun 4 to Jun 11Sow outdoors: May 28 to Jun 11Plant for fall: Jul 10 to Jul 24
Start indoors: Apr 23 to Apr 30Sow outdoors: May 28 to Jun 11Plant for fall: Jul 17 to Jul 31
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 3 to Jul 17
Sow outdoors: Apr 30 to May 28Plant for fall: Jul 17 to Jul 31
Sow outdoors: Apr 30 to May 21
Sow outdoors: May 7 to Jun 4Plant for fall: Jul 17 to Jul 31
Sow outdoors: May 7 to May 28Plant for fall: Jul 31 to Aug 21
Sow outdoors: May 28 to Jun 18Plant for fall: Jul 10 to Jul 24
Sow outdoors: May 28 to Jun 11
Transplant outside: Jun 4 to Jun 25
Plant for fall: Sep 11 to Oct 16
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Bristol, 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 | Jul 31 – Aug 28 |
| Kale | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | Apr 23 – May 7 | Apr 23 – May 7 | Jul 17 – Aug 7 |
| Broccoli | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | May 7 – May 21 | — | Jun 19 – Jul 10 |
| Cabbage | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | Apr 30 – May 14 | — | Jun 19 – Jul 10 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | May 7 – May 21 | — | Jun 19 – Jul 10 |
| 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 3 – Jul 24 |
| Spinach | — | — | Apr 9 – Apr 30 | Jul 31 – Aug 21 |
| Radishes | — | — | Apr 16 – May 28 | Aug 14 – Sep 4 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 23 – Apr 30 | Jun 4 – Jun 11 | May 28 – Jun 11 | Jul 10 – Jul 24 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 23 – Apr 30 | — | May 28 – Jun 11 | Jul 17 – Jul 31 |
| 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 3 – Jul 17 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 30 – May 28 | Jul 17 – Jul 31 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 30 – May 21 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | May 7 – Jun 4 | Jul 17 – Jul 31 |
| Cilantro | — | — | May 7 – May 28 | Jul 31 – Aug 21 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 28 – Jun 18 | Jul 10 – Jul 24 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 28 – Jun 11 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Jun 4 – Jun 25 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 11 – Oct 16 |
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 S Lincoln, VT weather station, 11 km away (elevation 1,342 ft (409 m)).
Frost dates near Bristol
- New Haven Apr 30 · Oct 17
- Starksboro May 21 · Sep 25
- Monkton Apr 30 · Oct 17
- Ferrisburgh Apr 30 · Oct 17
- Vergennes Apr 30 · Oct 17
- North Ferrisburgh Apr 30 · Oct 17
- Warren May 11 · Oct 1
- Ripton May 21 · Sep 25
- Middlebury May 5 · Oct 3
- East Middlebury May 21 · Sep 26
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Bristol, VT?
The median last spring frost in Bristol, VT is May 21. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after June 6, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Bristol, VT?
The median first fall frost is September 25, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 8.
How long is the growing season in Bristol, VT?
About 127 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Bristol, VT?
Bristol, VT is in USDA hardiness zone 5a.