Stowe, VT frost dates
Last spring frostMay 24median date
First fall frostSep 27median date
Growing season126 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone5aZone 5a
How Stowe compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Stowe falls between May 12 and June 5, a 24-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 13 and October 7.
- The median last frost is 11 days later than the Vermont median of May 13.
- Its 126-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 21 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 189 nights a year at or below 32°F.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | May 12 |
| 50% (median) | May 24 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | June 5 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 13 |
| 50% (median) | September 27 |
| 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 Stowe, VT
Stowe, VT frost dates — last frost May 24, first frost Sep 27, zone 5a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Mar 1 to Mar 15Transplant outside: Apr 26 to May 10
Start indoors: Mar 15 to Mar 29Transplant outside: Jun 7 to Jun 21
Start indoors: Mar 15 to Mar 29Transplant outside: Jun 7 to Jun 21
Start indoors: Mar 29 to Apr 12Transplant outside: May 31 to Jun 14
Start indoors: Mar 29 to Apr 12Transplant outside: May 3 to May 17Sow outdoors: Apr 26 to May 31Plant for fall: Aug 2 to Aug 30
Start indoors: Mar 29 to Apr 12Transplant outside: Apr 26 to May 10Sow outdoors: Apr 26 to May 10Plant for fall: Jul 19 to Aug 9
Start indoors: Mar 29 to Apr 12Transplant outside: May 10 to May 24Plant for fall: Jun 21 to Jul 12
Start indoors: Mar 29 to Apr 12Transplant outside: May 3 to May 17Plant for fall: Jun 21 to Jul 12
Start indoors: Mar 29 to Apr 12Transplant outside: May 10 to May 24Plant for fall: Jun 21 to Jul 12
Start indoors: Apr 12 to Apr 26Transplant outside: Jun 14 to Jun 28Sow outdoors: Jun 14 to Jun 28
Start indoors: Apr 12 to Apr 26Transplant outside: May 31 to Jun 14
Sow outdoors: Apr 12 to May 3Plant for fall: Jul 5 to Jul 26
Sow outdoors: Apr 12 to May 3Plant for fall: Aug 2 to Aug 23
Sow outdoors: Apr 19 to May 31Plant for fall: Aug 16 to Sep 6
Start indoors: Apr 26 to May 3Transplant outside: Jun 7 to Jun 14Sow outdoors: May 31 to Jun 14Plant for fall: Jul 12 to Jul 26
Start indoors: Apr 26 to May 3Sow outdoors: May 31 to Jun 14Plant for fall: Jul 19 to Aug 2
Start indoors: Apr 26 to May 3Sow outdoors: May 31 to Jun 14
Start indoors: Apr 26 to May 3Transplant outside: Jun 7 to Jun 21
Sow outdoors: May 3 to May 31Plant for fall: Jul 5 to Jul 19
Sow outdoors: May 3 to May 31Plant for fall: Jul 19 to Aug 2
Sow outdoors: May 3 to May 24
Sow outdoors: May 10 to Jun 7Plant for fall: Jul 19 to Aug 2
Sow outdoors: May 10 to May 31Plant for fall: Aug 2 to Aug 23
Sow outdoors: May 31 to Jun 21Plant for fall: Jul 12 to Jul 26
Sow outdoors: May 31 to Jun 14
Transplant outside: Jun 7 to Jun 28
Plant for fall: Sep 13 to Oct 18
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Stowe, VT
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | Apr 26 – May 10 | — | — |
| Peppers | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | Jun 7 – Jun 21 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | Jun 7 – Jun 21 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | May 31 – Jun 14 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | May 3 – May 17 | Apr 26 – May 31 | Aug 2 – Aug 30 |
| Kale | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | Apr 26 – May 10 | Apr 26 – May 10 | Jul 19 – Aug 9 |
| Broccoli | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | May 10 – May 24 | — | Jun 21 – Jul 12 |
| Cabbage | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | May 3 – May 17 | — | Jun 21 – Jul 12 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | May 10 – May 24 | — | Jun 21 – Jul 12 |
| Okra | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | Jun 14 – Jun 28 | Jun 14 – Jun 28 | — |
| Basil | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | May 31 – Jun 14 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Apr 12 – May 3 | Jul 5 – Jul 26 |
| Spinach | — | — | Apr 12 – May 3 | Aug 2 – Aug 23 |
| Radishes | — | — | Apr 19 – May 31 | Aug 16 – Sep 6 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 26 – May 3 | Jun 7 – Jun 14 | May 31 – Jun 14 | Jul 12 – Jul 26 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 26 – May 3 | — | May 31 – Jun 14 | Jul 19 – Aug 2 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 26 – May 3 | — | May 31 – Jun 14 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 26 – May 3 | Jun 7 – Jun 21 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | May 3 – May 31 | Jul 5 – Jul 19 |
| Beets | — | — | May 3 – May 31 | Jul 19 – Aug 2 |
| Potatoes | — | — | May 3 – May 24 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | May 10 – Jun 7 | Jul 19 – Aug 2 |
| Cilantro | — | — | May 10 – May 31 | Aug 2 – Aug 23 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 31 – Jun 21 | Jul 12 – Jul 26 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 31 – Jun 14 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Jun 7 – Jun 28 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 13 – Oct 18 |
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 Morrisville 4 Ssw, VT weather station, 7 km away (elevation 761 ft (232 m)).
Frost dates near Stowe
- Moscow May 24 · Sep 27
- Waterbury Center May 4 · Oct 5
- Morrisville May 20 · Sep 28
- Worcester May 4 · Oct 5
- Waterbury May 4 · Oct 5
- Lake Elmore May 20 · Sep 28
- Underhill Center May 23 · Sep 30
- Hyde Park May 5 · Oct 8
- Wolcott May 20 · Sep 28
- Calais May 4 · Oct 5
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Stowe, VT?
The median last spring frost in Stowe, VT is May 24. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after June 5, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Stowe, VT?
The median first fall frost is September 27, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 13.
How long is the growing season in Stowe, VT?
About 126 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Stowe, VT?
Stowe, VT is in USDA hardiness zone 5a.