Frost dates for 05452 — Essex Junction, VT
Last spring frostMay 2median date
First fall frostOct 11median date
Growing season162 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone5aZone 5a
How Essex Junction compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Essex Junction falls between April 21 and May 17, a 26-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 30 and October 26.
- The median last frost is 11 days earlier than the Vermont median of May 13.
- Its 162-day growing season is longer than 85% 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 158 nights a year at or below 32°F.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 21 |
| 50% (median) | May 2 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 17 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 30 |
| 50% (median) | October 11 |
| 90% (late) | October 26 |
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 Essex Junction, VT
Frost dates for 05452 — Essex Junction, VT — last frost May 2, first frost Oct 11, zone 5a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Feb 7 to Feb 21Transplant outside: Apr 4 to Apr 18
Start indoors: Feb 21 to Mar 7Transplant outside: May 16 to May 30
Start indoors: Feb 21 to Mar 7Transplant outside: May 16 to May 30
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21Transplant outside: May 9 to May 23
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21Transplant outside: Apr 11 to Apr 25Sow outdoors: Apr 4 to May 9Plant for fall: Aug 16 to Sep 13
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21Transplant outside: Apr 4 to Apr 18Sow outdoors: Apr 4 to Apr 18Plant for fall: Aug 2 to Aug 23
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21Transplant outside: Apr 18 to May 2Plant for fall: Jul 5 to Jul 26
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21Transplant outside: Apr 11 to Apr 25Plant for fall: Jul 5 to Jul 26
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21Transplant outside: Apr 18 to May 2Plant for fall: Jul 5 to Jul 26
Start indoors: Mar 21 to Apr 4Transplant outside: May 23 to Jun 6Sow outdoors: May 23 to Jun 6
Start indoors: Mar 21 to Apr 4Transplant outside: May 9 to May 23
Sow outdoors: Mar 21 to Apr 11Plant for fall: Jul 19 to Aug 9
Sow outdoors: Mar 21 to Apr 11Plant for fall: Aug 16 to Sep 6
Sow outdoors: Mar 28 to May 9Plant for fall: Aug 30 to Sep 20
Start indoors: Apr 4 to Apr 11Transplant outside: May 16 to May 23Sow outdoors: May 9 to May 23Plant for fall: Jul 26 to Aug 9
Start indoors: Apr 4 to Apr 11Sow outdoors: May 9 to May 23Plant for fall: Aug 2 to Aug 16
Start indoors: Apr 4 to Apr 11Sow outdoors: May 9 to May 23
Start indoors: Apr 4 to Apr 11Transplant outside: May 16 to May 30
Sow outdoors: Apr 11 to May 9Plant for fall: Jul 19 to Aug 2
Sow outdoors: Apr 11 to May 9Plant for fall: Aug 2 to Aug 16
Sow outdoors: Apr 11 to May 2
Sow outdoors: Apr 18 to May 16Plant for fall: Aug 2 to Aug 16
Sow outdoors: Apr 18 to May 9Plant for fall: Aug 16 to Sep 6
Sow outdoors: May 9 to May 30Plant for fall: Jul 26 to Aug 9
Sow outdoors: May 9 to May 23
Transplant outside: May 16 to Jun 6
Plant for fall: Sep 27 to Nov 1
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Essex Junction, VT
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | May 16 – May 30 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | May 16 – May 30 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | May 9 – May 23 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | Apr 4 – May 9 | Aug 16 – Sep 13 |
| Kale | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | Aug 2 – Aug 23 |
| Broccoli | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | Apr 18 – May 2 | — | Jul 5 – Jul 26 |
| Cabbage | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | — | Jul 5 – Jul 26 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | Apr 18 – May 2 | — | Jul 5 – Jul 26 |
| Okra | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | May 23 – Jun 6 | May 23 – Jun 6 | — |
| Basil | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | May 9 – May 23 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 21 – Apr 11 | Jul 19 – Aug 9 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 21 – Apr 11 | Aug 16 – Sep 6 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 28 – May 9 | Aug 30 – Sep 20 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 4 – Apr 11 | May 16 – May 23 | May 9 – May 23 | Jul 26 – Aug 9 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 4 – Apr 11 | — | May 9 – May 23 | Aug 2 – Aug 16 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 4 – Apr 11 | — | May 9 – May 23 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 4 – Apr 11 | May 16 – May 30 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 11 – May 9 | Jul 19 – Aug 2 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 11 – May 9 | Aug 2 – Aug 16 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 11 – May 2 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 18 – May 16 | Aug 2 – Aug 16 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 18 – May 9 | Aug 16 – Sep 6 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 9 – May 30 | Jul 26 – Aug 9 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 9 – May 23 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 16 – Jun 6 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 27 – Nov 1 |
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 Essex Junction 1 N, VT weather station, 2 km away (elevation 341 ft (104 m)).
ZIP codes in Essex Junction: 05452 05453
Frost dates near Essex Junction
- Essex May 2 · Oct 11
- Burlington Apr 29 · Oct 15
- Colchester May 2 · Oct 11
- South Burlington Apr 29 · Oct 15
- Williston Apr 29 · Oct 15
- Winooski Apr 29 · Oct 15
- Jericho May 23 · Sep 30
- Underhill May 23 · Sep 30
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Essex Junction, VT?
The median last spring frost in Essex Junction, VT is May 2. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 17, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Essex Junction, VT?
The median first fall frost is October 11, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 30.
How long is the growing season in Essex Junction, VT?
About 162 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Essex Junction, VT?
Essex Junction, VT is in USDA hardiness zone 5a.