Burlington, VT frost dates
Last spring frostApr 29median date
First fall frostOct 15median date
Growing season169 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone5aZone 5a
How Burlington compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Burlington falls between April 17 and May 11, a 24-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 2 and November 1.
- The median last frost is 14 days earlier than the Vermont median of May 13.
- Its 169-day growing season is longer than 94% of the 286 Vermont places with a regular frost season (state median 143 days).
- The last frost is 4 days earlier 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 145 nights a year at or below 32°F.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 17 |
| 50% (median) | April 29 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 11 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 2 |
| 50% (median) | October 15 |
| 90% (late) | November 1 |
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 Burlington, VT
Burlington, VT frost dates — last frost Apr 29, first frost Oct 15, zone 5a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Feb 4 to Feb 18Transplant outside: Apr 1 to Apr 15
Start indoors: Feb 18 to Mar 4Transplant outside: May 13 to May 27
Start indoors: Feb 18 to Mar 4Transplant outside: May 13 to May 27
Start indoors: Mar 4 to Mar 18Transplant outside: May 6 to May 20
Start indoors: Mar 4 to Mar 18Transplant outside: Apr 8 to Apr 22Sow outdoors: Apr 1 to May 6Plant for fall: Aug 20 to Sep 17
Start indoors: Mar 4 to Mar 18Transplant outside: Apr 1 to Apr 15Sow outdoors: Apr 1 to Apr 15Plant for fall: Aug 6 to Aug 27
Start indoors: Mar 4 to Mar 18Transplant outside: Apr 15 to Apr 29Plant for fall: Jul 9 to Jul 30
Start indoors: Mar 4 to Mar 18Transplant outside: Apr 8 to Apr 22Plant for fall: Jul 9 to Jul 30
Start indoors: Mar 4 to Mar 18Transplant outside: Apr 15 to Apr 29Plant for fall: Jul 9 to Jul 30
Start indoors: Mar 18 to Apr 1Transplant outside: May 20 to Jun 3Sow outdoors: May 20 to Jun 3
Start indoors: Mar 18 to Apr 1Transplant outside: May 6 to May 20
Sow outdoors: Mar 18 to Apr 8Plant for fall: Jul 23 to Aug 13
Sow outdoors: Mar 18 to Apr 8Plant for fall: Aug 20 to Sep 10
Sow outdoors: Mar 25 to May 6Plant for fall: Sep 3 to Sep 24
Start indoors: Apr 1 to Apr 8Transplant outside: May 13 to May 20Sow outdoors: May 6 to May 20Plant for fall: Jul 30 to Aug 13
Start indoors: Apr 1 to Apr 8Sow outdoors: May 6 to May 20Plant for fall: Aug 6 to Aug 20
Start indoors: Apr 1 to Apr 8Sow outdoors: May 6 to May 20
Start indoors: Apr 1 to Apr 8Transplant outside: May 13 to May 27
Sow outdoors: Apr 8 to May 6Plant for fall: Jul 23 to Aug 6
Sow outdoors: Apr 8 to May 6Plant for fall: Aug 6 to Aug 20
Sow outdoors: Apr 8 to Apr 29
Sow outdoors: Apr 15 to May 13Plant for fall: Aug 6 to Aug 20
Sow outdoors: Apr 15 to May 6Plant for fall: Aug 20 to Sep 10
Sow outdoors: May 6 to May 27Plant for fall: Jul 30 to Aug 13
Sow outdoors: May 6 to May 20
Transplant outside: May 13 to Jun 3
Plant for fall: Oct 1 to Nov 5
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Burlington, VT
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | May 13 – May 27 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | May 13 – May 27 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | May 6 – May 20 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | Apr 1 – May 6 | Aug 20 – Sep 17 |
| Kale | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | Aug 6 – Aug 27 |
| Broccoli | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | Apr 15 – Apr 29 | — | Jul 9 – Jul 30 |
| Cabbage | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | — | Jul 9 – Jul 30 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | Apr 15 – Apr 29 | — | Jul 9 – Jul 30 |
| Okra | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | May 20 – Jun 3 | May 20 – Jun 3 | — |
| Basil | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | May 6 – May 20 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 18 – Apr 8 | Jul 23 – Aug 13 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 18 – Apr 8 | Aug 20 – Sep 10 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 25 – May 6 | Sep 3 – Sep 24 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 1 – Apr 8 | May 13 – May 20 | May 6 – May 20 | Jul 30 – Aug 13 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 1 – Apr 8 | — | May 6 – May 20 | Aug 6 – Aug 20 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 1 – Apr 8 | — | May 6 – May 20 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 1 – Apr 8 | May 13 – May 27 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 8 – May 6 | Jul 23 – Aug 6 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 8 – May 6 | Aug 6 – Aug 20 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 8 – Apr 29 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 15 – May 13 | Aug 6 – Aug 20 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 15 – May 6 | Aug 20 – Sep 10 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 6 – May 27 | Jul 30 – Aug 13 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 6 – May 20 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 13 – Jun 3 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 1 – Nov 5 |
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 Burlington Intl Ap, VT weather station, about 1 km away (elevation 331 ft (101 m)).
ZIP codes in Burlington: 05401 05402 05405 05406 05408
Frost dates near Burlington
- South Burlington Apr 29 · Oct 15
- Essex Junction May 2 · Oct 11
- Williston Apr 29 · Oct 15
- Winooski Apr 29 · Oct 15
- Colchester May 2 · Oct 11
- Essex May 2 · Oct 11
- Shelburne Apr 29 · Oct 15
- Hinesburg Apr 29 · Oct 15
- Jericho May 23 · Sep 30
- Richmond Apr 29 · Oct 15
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Burlington, VT?
The median last spring frost in Burlington, VT is April 29. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 11, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Burlington, VT?
The median first fall frost is October 15, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 2.
How long is the growing season in Burlington, VT?
About 169 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Burlington, VT?
Burlington, VT is in USDA hardiness zone 5a.