Worcester, VT frost dates
Last spring frostMay 4median date
First fall frostOct 5median date
Growing season154 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone5aZone 5a
How Worcester compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Worcester falls between April 23 and May 18, a 25-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 21 and October 20.
- The median last frost is 9 days earlier than the Vermont median of May 13.
- Its 154-day growing season is longer than 78% of the 286 Vermont places with a regular frost season (state median 143 days).
- The last frost is typical for zone 5a, where the median is May 3.
- The weather station records an average of 165 nights a year at or below 32°F.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 23 |
| 50% (median) | May 4 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 18 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 21 |
| 50% (median) | October 5 |
| 90% (late) | October 20 |
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 Worcester, VT
Worcester, VT frost dates — last frost May 4, first frost Oct 5, zone 5a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Feb 9 to Feb 23Transplant outside: Apr 6 to Apr 20
Start indoors: Feb 23 to Mar 9Transplant outside: May 18 to Jun 1
Start indoors: Feb 23 to Mar 9Transplant outside: May 18 to Jun 1
Start indoors: Mar 9 to Mar 23Transplant outside: May 11 to May 25
Start indoors: Mar 9 to Mar 23Transplant outside: Apr 13 to Apr 27Sow outdoors: Apr 6 to May 11Plant for fall: Aug 10 to Sep 7
Start indoors: Mar 9 to Mar 23Transplant outside: Apr 6 to Apr 20Sow outdoors: Apr 6 to Apr 20Plant for fall: Jul 27 to Aug 17
Start indoors: Mar 9 to Mar 23Transplant outside: Apr 20 to May 4Plant for fall: Jun 29 to Jul 20
Start indoors: Mar 9 to Mar 23Transplant outside: Apr 13 to Apr 27Plant for fall: Jun 29 to Jul 20
Start indoors: Mar 9 to Mar 23Transplant outside: Apr 20 to May 4Plant for fall: Jun 29 to Jul 20
Start indoors: Mar 23 to Apr 6Transplant outside: May 25 to Jun 8Sow outdoors: May 25 to Jun 8
Start indoors: Mar 23 to Apr 6Transplant outside: May 11 to May 25
Sow outdoors: Mar 23 to Apr 13Plant for fall: Jul 13 to Aug 3
Sow outdoors: Mar 23 to Apr 13Plant for fall: Aug 10 to Aug 31
Sow outdoors: Mar 30 to May 11Plant for fall: Aug 24 to Sep 14
Start indoors: Apr 6 to Apr 13Transplant outside: May 18 to May 25Sow outdoors: May 11 to May 25Plant for fall: Jul 20 to Aug 3
Start indoors: Apr 6 to Apr 13Sow outdoors: May 11 to May 25Plant for fall: Jul 27 to Aug 10
Start indoors: Apr 6 to Apr 13Sow outdoors: May 11 to May 25
Start indoors: Apr 6 to Apr 13Transplant outside: May 18 to Jun 1
Sow outdoors: Apr 13 to May 11Plant for fall: Jul 13 to Jul 27
Sow outdoors: Apr 13 to May 11Plant for fall: Jul 27 to Aug 10
Sow outdoors: Apr 13 to May 4
Sow outdoors: Apr 20 to May 18Plant for fall: Jul 27 to Aug 10
Sow outdoors: Apr 20 to May 11Plant for fall: Aug 10 to Aug 31
Sow outdoors: May 11 to Jun 1Plant for fall: Jul 20 to Aug 3
Sow outdoors: May 11 to May 25
Transplant outside: May 18 to Jun 8
Plant for fall: Sep 21 to Oct 26
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Worcester, VT
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 9 – Feb 23 | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | May 18 – Jun 1 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | May 18 – Jun 1 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | May 11 – May 25 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | Apr 6 – May 11 | Aug 10 – Sep 7 |
| Kale | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | Jul 27 – Aug 17 |
| Broccoli | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | Apr 20 – May 4 | — | Jun 29 – Jul 20 |
| Cabbage | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | — | Jun 29 – Jul 20 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | Apr 20 – May 4 | — | Jun 29 – Jul 20 |
| Okra | Mar 23 – Apr 6 | May 25 – Jun 8 | May 25 – Jun 8 | — |
| Basil | Mar 23 – Apr 6 | May 11 – May 25 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 23 – Apr 13 | Jul 13 – Aug 3 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 23 – Apr 13 | Aug 10 – Aug 31 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 30 – May 11 | Aug 24 – Sep 14 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 6 – Apr 13 | May 18 – May 25 | May 11 – May 25 | Jul 20 – Aug 3 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 6 – Apr 13 | — | May 11 – May 25 | Jul 27 – Aug 10 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 6 – Apr 13 | — | May 11 – May 25 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 6 – Apr 13 | May 18 – Jun 1 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 13 – May 11 | Jul 13 – Jul 27 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 13 – May 11 | Jul 27 – Aug 10 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 13 – May 4 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 20 – May 18 | Jul 27 – Aug 10 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 20 – May 11 | Aug 10 – Aug 31 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 11 – Jun 1 | Jul 20 – Aug 3 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 11 – May 25 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 18 – Jun 8 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 21 – Oct 26 |
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 Worcester 2 W, VT weather station, 3 km away (elevation 1,362 ft (415 m)).
Frost dates near Worcester
- Adamant May 4 · Oct 5
- Calais May 4 · Oct 5
- East Calais May 4 · Oct 5
- Waterbury Center May 4 · Oct 5
- Stowe May 24 · Sep 27
- East Montpelier May 25 · Sep 22
- Moscow May 24 · Sep 27
- Woodbury May 4 · Oct 5
- North Montpelier May 5 · Oct 9
- Montpelier May 5 · Oct 9
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Worcester, VT?
The median last spring frost in Worcester, VT is May 4. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 18, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Worcester, VT?
The median first fall frost is October 5, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 21.
How long is the growing season in Worcester, VT?
About 154 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Worcester, VT?
Worcester, VT is in USDA hardiness zone 5a.