Shaftsbury, VT frost dates
Last spring frostMay 11median date
First fall frostOct 2median date
Growing season144 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone5aZone 5a
How Shaftsbury compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Shaftsbury falls between April 26 and May 28, a 32-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 19 and October 17.
- The median last frost is 2 days earlier than the Vermont median of May 13.
- Its 144-day growing season is longer than 58% of the 286 Vermont places with a regular frost season (state median 143 days).
- The last frost is 8 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 152 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Albany, NY, 56 km away, the last frost here is 14 days later than there and the growing season is 27 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 26 |
| 50% (median) | May 11 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 28 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 19 |
| 50% (median) | October 2 |
| 90% (late) | October 17 |
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 Shaftsbury, VT
Shaftsbury, VT frost dates — last frost May 11, first frost Oct 2, zone 5a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Feb 16 to Mar 2Transplant outside: Apr 13 to Apr 27
Start indoors: Mar 2 to Mar 16Transplant outside: May 25 to Jun 8
Start indoors: Mar 2 to Mar 16Transplant outside: May 25 to Jun 8
Start indoors: Mar 16 to Mar 30Transplant outside: May 18 to Jun 1
Start indoors: Mar 16 to Mar 30Transplant outside: Apr 20 to May 4Sow outdoors: Apr 13 to May 18Plant for fall: Aug 7 to Sep 4
Start indoors: Mar 16 to Mar 30Transplant outside: Apr 13 to Apr 27Sow outdoors: Apr 13 to Apr 27Plant for fall: Jul 24 to Aug 14
Start indoors: Mar 16 to Mar 30Transplant outside: Apr 27 to May 11Plant for fall: Jun 26 to Jul 17
Start indoors: Mar 16 to Mar 30Transplant outside: Apr 20 to May 4Plant for fall: Jun 26 to Jul 17
Start indoors: Mar 16 to Mar 30Transplant outside: Apr 27 to May 11Plant for fall: Jun 26 to Jul 17
Start indoors: Mar 30 to Apr 13Transplant outside: Jun 1 to Jun 15Sow outdoors: Jun 1 to Jun 15
Start indoors: Mar 30 to Apr 13Transplant outside: May 18 to Jun 1
Sow outdoors: Mar 30 to Apr 20Plant for fall: Jul 10 to Jul 31
Sow outdoors: Mar 30 to Apr 20Plant for fall: Aug 7 to Aug 28
Sow outdoors: Apr 6 to May 18Plant for fall: Aug 21 to Sep 11
Start indoors: Apr 13 to Apr 20Transplant outside: May 25 to Jun 1Sow outdoors: May 18 to Jun 1Plant for fall: Jul 17 to Jul 31
Start indoors: Apr 13 to Apr 20Sow outdoors: May 18 to Jun 1Plant for fall: Jul 24 to Aug 7
Start indoors: Apr 13 to Apr 20Sow outdoors: May 18 to Jun 1
Start indoors: Apr 13 to Apr 20Transplant outside: May 25 to Jun 8
Sow outdoors: Apr 20 to May 18Plant for fall: Jul 10 to Jul 24
Sow outdoors: Apr 20 to May 18Plant for fall: Jul 24 to Aug 7
Sow outdoors: Apr 20 to May 11
Sow outdoors: Apr 27 to May 25Plant for fall: Jul 24 to Aug 7
Sow outdoors: Apr 27 to May 18Plant for fall: Aug 7 to Aug 28
Sow outdoors: May 18 to Jun 8Plant for fall: Jul 17 to Jul 31
Sow outdoors: May 18 to Jun 1
Transplant outside: May 25 to Jun 15
Plant for fall: Sep 18 to Oct 23
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Shaftsbury, VT
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 16 – Mar 2 | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | — | — |
| Peppers | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | May 25 – Jun 8 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | May 25 – Jun 8 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 16 – Mar 30 | May 18 – Jun 1 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 16 – Mar 30 | Apr 20 – May 4 | Apr 13 – May 18 | Aug 7 – Sep 4 |
| Kale | Mar 16 – Mar 30 | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | Jul 24 – Aug 14 |
| Broccoli | Mar 16 – Mar 30 | Apr 27 – May 11 | — | Jun 26 – Jul 17 |
| Cabbage | Mar 16 – Mar 30 | Apr 20 – May 4 | — | Jun 26 – Jul 17 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 16 – Mar 30 | Apr 27 – May 11 | — | Jun 26 – Jul 17 |
| Okra | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | Jun 1 – Jun 15 | Jun 1 – Jun 15 | — |
| Basil | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | May 18 – Jun 1 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 30 – Apr 20 | Jul 10 – Jul 31 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 30 – Apr 20 | Aug 7 – Aug 28 |
| Radishes | — | — | Apr 6 – May 18 | Aug 21 – Sep 11 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 13 – Apr 20 | May 25 – Jun 1 | May 18 – Jun 1 | Jul 17 – Jul 31 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 13 – Apr 20 | — | May 18 – Jun 1 | Jul 24 – Aug 7 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 13 – Apr 20 | — | May 18 – Jun 1 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 13 – Apr 20 | May 25 – Jun 8 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 20 – May 18 | Jul 10 – Jul 24 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 20 – May 18 | Jul 24 – Aug 7 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 20 – May 11 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 27 – May 25 | Jul 24 – Aug 7 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 27 – May 18 | Aug 7 – Aug 28 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 18 – Jun 8 | Jul 17 – Jul 31 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 18 – Jun 1 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 25 – Jun 15 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 18 – Oct 23 |
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 Bennington Morse St Ap, VT weather station, 8 km away (elevation 827 ft (252 m)).
Frost dates near Shaftsbury
- North Bennington May 11 · Oct 2
- Bennington May 11 · Oct 2
- Arlington May 13 · Sep 29
- North Pownal May 7 · Oct 8
- East Arlington May 13 · Sep 29
- Pownal May 7 · Oct 8
- Manchester May 13 · Sep 29
- Stamford May 10 · Oct 4
- Manchester Center May 13 · Sep 29
- West Dover May 14 · Oct 4
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Shaftsbury, VT?
The median last spring frost in Shaftsbury, VT is May 11. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 28, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Shaftsbury, VT?
The median first fall frost is October 2, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 19.
How long is the growing season in Shaftsbury, VT?
About 144 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Shaftsbury, VT?
Shaftsbury, VT is in USDA hardiness zone 5a.