Franklin, VT frost dates
Last spring frostMay 18median date
First fall frostSep 30median date
Growing season135 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone5aZone 5a
How Franklin compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Franklin falls between May 1 and June 2, a 32-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 15 and October 14.
- The median last frost is 5 days later than the Vermont median of May 13.
- Its 135-day growing season is longer than 15% of the 286 Vermont places with a regular frost season (state median 143 days).
- The last frost is 15 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 181 nights a year at or below 32°F.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | May 1 |
| 50% (median) | May 18 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | June 2 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 15 |
| 50% (median) | September 30 |
| 90% (late) | October 14 |
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 Franklin, VT
Franklin, VT frost dates — last frost May 18, first frost Sep 30, zone 5a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Feb 23 to Mar 9Transplant outside: Apr 20 to May 4
Start indoors: Mar 9 to Mar 23Transplant outside: Jun 1 to Jun 15
Start indoors: Mar 9 to Mar 23Transplant outside: Jun 1 to Jun 15
Start indoors: Mar 23 to Apr 6Transplant outside: May 25 to Jun 8
Start indoors: Mar 23 to Apr 6Transplant outside: Apr 27 to May 11Sow outdoors: Apr 20 to May 25Plant for fall: Aug 5 to Sep 2
Start indoors: Mar 23 to Apr 6Transplant outside: Apr 20 to May 4Sow outdoors: Apr 20 to May 4Plant for fall: Jul 22 to Aug 12
Start indoors: Mar 23 to Apr 6Transplant outside: May 4 to May 18Plant for fall: Jun 24 to Jul 15
Start indoors: Mar 23 to Apr 6Transplant outside: Apr 27 to May 11Plant for fall: Jun 24 to Jul 15
Start indoors: Mar 23 to Apr 6Transplant outside: May 4 to May 18Plant for fall: Jun 24 to Jul 15
Start indoors: Apr 6 to Apr 20Transplant outside: Jun 8 to Jun 22Sow outdoors: Jun 8 to Jun 22
Start indoors: Apr 6 to Apr 20Transplant outside: May 25 to Jun 8
Sow outdoors: Apr 6 to Apr 27Plant for fall: Jul 8 to Jul 29
Sow outdoors: Apr 6 to Apr 27Plant for fall: Aug 5 to Aug 26
Sow outdoors: Apr 13 to May 25Plant for fall: Aug 19 to Sep 9
Start indoors: Apr 20 to Apr 27Transplant outside: Jun 1 to Jun 8Sow outdoors: May 25 to Jun 8Plant for fall: Jul 15 to Jul 29
Start indoors: Apr 20 to Apr 27Sow outdoors: May 25 to Jun 8Plant for fall: Jul 22 to Aug 5
Start indoors: Apr 20 to Apr 27Sow outdoors: May 25 to Jun 8
Start indoors: Apr 20 to Apr 27Transplant outside: Jun 1 to Jun 15
Sow outdoors: Apr 27 to May 25Plant for fall: Jul 8 to Jul 22
Sow outdoors: Apr 27 to May 25Plant for fall: Jul 22 to Aug 5
Sow outdoors: Apr 27 to May 18
Sow outdoors: May 4 to Jun 1Plant for fall: Jul 22 to Aug 5
Sow outdoors: May 4 to May 25Plant for fall: Aug 5 to Aug 26
Sow outdoors: May 25 to Jun 15Plant for fall: Jul 15 to Jul 29
Sow outdoors: May 25 to Jun 8
Transplant outside: Jun 1 to Jun 22
Plant for fall: Sep 16 to Oct 21
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Franklin, VT
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | Apr 20 – May 4 | — | — |
| Peppers | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | Jun 1 – Jun 15 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | Jun 1 – Jun 15 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 23 – Apr 6 | May 25 – Jun 8 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 23 – Apr 6 | Apr 27 – May 11 | Apr 20 – May 25 | Aug 5 – Sep 2 |
| Kale | Mar 23 – Apr 6 | Apr 20 – May 4 | Apr 20 – May 4 | Jul 22 – Aug 12 |
| Broccoli | Mar 23 – Apr 6 | May 4 – May 18 | — | Jun 24 – Jul 15 |
| Cabbage | Mar 23 – Apr 6 | Apr 27 – May 11 | — | Jun 24 – Jul 15 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 23 – Apr 6 | May 4 – May 18 | — | Jun 24 – Jul 15 |
| Okra | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | Jun 8 – Jun 22 | Jun 8 – Jun 22 | — |
| Basil | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | May 25 – Jun 8 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Apr 6 – Apr 27 | Jul 8 – Jul 29 |
| Spinach | — | — | Apr 6 – Apr 27 | Aug 5 – Aug 26 |
| Radishes | — | — | Apr 13 – May 25 | Aug 19 – Sep 9 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 20 – Apr 27 | Jun 1 – Jun 8 | May 25 – Jun 8 | Jul 15 – Jul 29 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 20 – Apr 27 | — | May 25 – Jun 8 | Jul 22 – Aug 5 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 20 – Apr 27 | — | May 25 – Jun 8 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 20 – Apr 27 | Jun 1 – Jun 15 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 27 – May 25 | Jul 8 – Jul 22 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 27 – May 25 | Jul 22 – Aug 5 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 27 – May 18 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | May 4 – Jun 1 | Jul 22 – Aug 5 |
| Cilantro | — | — | May 4 – May 25 | Aug 5 – Aug 26 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 25 – Jun 15 | Jul 15 – Jul 29 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 25 – Jun 8 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Jun 1 – Jun 22 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 16 – Oct 21 |
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 Enosburg Falls, VT weather station, 9 km away (elevation 427 ft (130 m)).
Frost dates near Franklin
- Sheldon Springs May 1 · Oct 12
- Sheldon May 18 · Sep 30
- Highgate Center May 1 · Oct 12
- Enosburg Falls May 14 · Oct 1
- Highgate Springs May 1 · Oct 12
- East Berkshire May 14 · Oct 1
- Richford May 14 · Oct 1
- Swanton May 1 · Oct 12
- Bakersfield May 14 · Oct 1
- Fairfield May 1 · Oct 12
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Franklin, VT?
The median last spring frost in Franklin, VT is May 18. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after June 2, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Franklin, VT?
The median first fall frost is September 30, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 15.
How long is the growing season in Franklin, VT?
About 135 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Franklin, VT?
Franklin, VT is in USDA hardiness zone 5a.