Northfield Falls, VT frost dates
Last spring frostMay 18median date
First fall frostSep 28median date
Growing season133 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone5aZone 5a
How Northfield Falls compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Northfield Falls falls between May 2 and May 30, a 28-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 13 and October 10.
- The median last frost is 5 days later than the Vermont median of May 13.
- Its 133-day growing season is longer than 12% 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 182 nights a year at or below 32°F.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | May 2 |
| 50% (median) | May 18 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 30 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 13 |
| 50% (median) | September 28 |
| 90% (late) | October 10 |
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 Northfield Falls, VT
Northfield Falls, VT frost dates — last frost May 18, first frost Sep 28, 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 3 to Aug 31
Start indoors: Mar 23 to Apr 6Transplant outside: Apr 20 to May 4Sow outdoors: Apr 20 to May 4Plant for fall: Jul 20 to Aug 10
Start indoors: Mar 23 to Apr 6Transplant outside: May 4 to May 18Plant for fall: Jun 22 to Jul 13
Start indoors: Mar 23 to Apr 6Transplant outside: Apr 27 to May 11Plant for fall: Jun 22 to Jul 13
Start indoors: Mar 23 to Apr 6Transplant outside: May 4 to May 18Plant for fall: Jun 22 to Jul 13
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 6 to Jul 27
Sow outdoors: Apr 6 to Apr 27Plant for fall: Aug 3 to Aug 24
Sow outdoors: Apr 13 to May 25Plant for fall: Aug 17 to Sep 7
Start indoors: Apr 20 to Apr 27Transplant outside: Jun 1 to Jun 8Sow outdoors: May 25 to Jun 8Plant for fall: Jul 13 to Jul 27
Start indoors: Apr 20 to Apr 27Sow outdoors: May 25 to Jun 8Plant for fall: Jul 20 to Aug 3
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 6 to Jul 20
Sow outdoors: Apr 27 to May 25Plant for fall: Jul 20 to Aug 3
Sow outdoors: Apr 27 to May 18
Sow outdoors: May 4 to Jun 1Plant for fall: Jul 20 to Aug 3
Sow outdoors: May 4 to May 25Plant for fall: Aug 3 to Aug 24
Sow outdoors: May 25 to Jun 15Plant for fall: Jul 13 to Jul 27
Sow outdoors: May 25 to Jun 8
Transplant outside: Jun 1 to Jun 22
Plant for fall: Sep 14 to Oct 19
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Northfield Falls, 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 3 – Aug 31 |
| Kale | Mar 23 – Apr 6 | Apr 20 – May 4 | Apr 20 – May 4 | Jul 20 – Aug 10 |
| Broccoli | Mar 23 – Apr 6 | May 4 – May 18 | — | Jun 22 – Jul 13 |
| Cabbage | Mar 23 – Apr 6 | Apr 27 – May 11 | — | Jun 22 – Jul 13 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 23 – Apr 6 | May 4 – May 18 | — | Jun 22 – Jul 13 |
| 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 6 – Jul 27 |
| Spinach | — | — | Apr 6 – Apr 27 | Aug 3 – Aug 24 |
| Radishes | — | — | Apr 13 – May 25 | Aug 17 – Sep 7 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 20 – Apr 27 | Jun 1 – Jun 8 | May 25 – Jun 8 | Jul 13 – Jul 27 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 20 – Apr 27 | — | May 25 – Jun 8 | Jul 20 – Aug 3 |
| 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 6 – Jul 20 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 27 – May 25 | Jul 20 – Aug 3 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 27 – May 18 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | May 4 – Jun 1 | Jul 20 – Aug 3 |
| Cilantro | — | — | May 4 – May 25 | Aug 3 – Aug 24 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 25 – Jun 15 | Jul 13 – Jul 27 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 25 – Jun 8 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Jun 1 – Jun 22 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 14 – Oct 19 |
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 Northfield, VT weather station, about 1 km away (elevation 669 ft (204 m)).
Frost dates near Northfield Falls
- Northfield May 18 · Sep 28
- Montpelier May 5 · Oct 9
- Williamstown May 16 · Sep 29
- North Montpelier May 5 · Oct 9
- Roxbury May 18 · Sep 28
- South Barre May 16 · Sep 29
- Moretown May 11 · Oct 1
- Barre May 16 · Sep 29
- Graniteville May 16 · Sep 29
- Waitsfield May 11 · Oct 1
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Northfield Falls, VT?
The median last spring frost in Northfield Falls, VT is May 18. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 30, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Northfield Falls, VT?
The median first fall frost is September 28, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 13.
How long is the growing season in Northfield Falls, VT?
About 133 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Northfield Falls, VT?
Northfield Falls, VT is in USDA hardiness zone 5a.