Fall in zone 5aPhoto: Dietmar Rabich, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Frost dates for ZIP 05664 (Washington County, VT)
Average last spring and first fall frost dates with 10%, 50% and 90% odds, from NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the nearest weather station, Northfield, VT (0 miles away).
- Average last spring frostMay 1850% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostSep 2850% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)133 daysmedian, 32°F threshold
- USDA hardiness zone5a-20 to -15°F avg. coldest night
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This week in your yard
As of Oct 18, 2026, from your frost dates, zone and soil temperature. Lawn timing · Vegetables · Pruning · Plants
Soil temperature now
2-inch depth
48°F Below 50°F
24-hour average · latest 46°F, as of Oct 18, 2:00 AM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Mount Mansfield (27 mi), Hubbard Brook (48 mi).
4-inch depth
48°F Below 50°F
24-hour average · latest 47°F, as of Oct 18, 2:00 AM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Hubbard Brook (48 mi).
Fall: Texas A&M AgriLife times fall pre-emergent (for winter weeds such as annual bluegrass) to soil cooling to about 70°F for several days. The 50–55°F band is the spring trigger. Always read and follow the product label.
7-day forecast and frost risk
The latest National Weather Service 7-day forecast and any Frost Advisory or Freeze Warning for 05664 load here. You can also open the NWS forecast for this ZIP.
Pre-emergent
Soil is 48°F at 4 inches (estimated soil temperature, not a station reading). Fall pre-emergent window is mostly past. Next: spring, when soil reaches 50°F (typically mid-April to early May).
Fertilizer window
Lawn region: North (cool-season). Timing only; always follow the product label.
- Kentucky bluegrass (cool-season): Early fall: Around Labor Day (late August–September); Late fall: Late October–November, before the ground freezes; Late spring: Optional around Memorial Day. Avoid: Early-spring and midsummer feeding (pushes top growth, favors crabgrass).
Plant now
No vegetable planting windows are open this week.
Prune now
No frost-timed pruning windows are open this week.
Spring-flowering shrubs are pruned right after their flowers fade, not by date. See the pruning guide.
Last spring frost odds
| Chance of a 32°F freeze after this date | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early: most years still freeze after this) | May 2 |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | May 18 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | May 30 |
Most gardeners plant frost-tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, basil) after the 50% date, and closer to the 10% date for less risk.
First fall frost odds
| Chance the first 32°F freeze has happened by this date | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early: 1 year in 10 freezes this soon) | Sep 13 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Sep 28 |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Oct 10 |
Light frost, freeze and hard freeze
| Threshold | Last spring (50%) | First fall (50%) |
|---|---|---|
| 36°F (light frost possible on clear, calm nights) | May 29 | Sep 17 |
| 32°F (freeze) | May 18 | Sep 28 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | May 4 | Oct 7 |
n/a means NOAA did not publish a date at that threshold for this station (usually because it rarely gets that cold).
Vegetable planting calendar for 05664
Dates count from your average last spring frost (May 18) and first fall frost (Sep 28). Half of years have a frost after the spring date, so give tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, squash) some slack.
| Crop | Start indoors | Spring planting | Fall planting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Mar 23–Apr 6 | May 25–Jun 8 (transplant) | – |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Mar 9–23 | Jun 1–15 (transplant) | – |
| Eggplant | Mar 9–23 | Jun 1–15 (transplant) | – |
| Tomatillo | Mar 23–Apr 6 | May 25–Jun 8 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Mar 23–Apr 6 | Apr 27–May 18 (transplant) Apr 20–Jun 1 (sow outdoors) | Aug 3–24 (transplant) Jul 20–Aug 17 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Apr 6–27 (sow outdoors) | Aug 3–24 (sowing) |
| Kale | Mar 23–Apr 6 | Apr 20–May 4 (transplant) Apr 20–May 4 (sow outdoors) | Jul 6–Aug 3 (transplant) Jun 22–Jul 20 (sowing) |
| Collards | Mar 23–Apr 6 | Apr 20–May 18 (transplant) Apr 20–May 18 (sow outdoors) | Jul 6–Aug 3 (transplant) Jun 22–Jul 20 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Mar 9–23 | Apr 20–May 4 (transplant) | Jun 22–Jul 20 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Mar 9–23 | Apr 20–May 4 (transplant) | Jun 22–Jul 20 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Mar 9–23 | May 4–18 (transplant) | Jun 22–Jul 20 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Feb 23–Mar 9 | Apr 20–May 4 (transplant) | Jun 8–29 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Mar 23–Apr 6 | Apr 20–May 4 (transplant) Apr 20–May 4 (sow outdoors) | Jul 20–Aug 3 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | Apr 20–May 4 (sow outdoors) | Aug 3–17 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | Apr 20–May 18 (sow outdoors) | Aug 3–31 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | Apr 20–May 11 (sow outdoors) | Aug 3–17 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Apr 6–20 | May 4–25 (transplant) May 4–Jun 1 (sow outdoors) | Jul 20–Aug 3 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | Apr 20–May 18 (sow outdoors) | Jul 20–Aug 3 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | Apr 27–May 25 (sow outdoors) | Jul 6–20 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Apr 13–May 25 (sow outdoors) | Aug 17–31 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | Apr 20–May 11 (sow outdoors) | Jul 20–Aug 3 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | Apr 27–May 18 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Mar 23–Apr 20 (sow outdoors) | Jul 6–20 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Feb 23–Mar 9 | Apr 6–20 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Apr 6–May 4 (sow outdoors) | Jul 20–Aug 3 (sowing) |
| Leek | Feb 23–Mar 9 | Apr 20–May 4 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Aug 17–Sep 14 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Apr 6–20 (transplant) | Aug 17–Sep 14 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | Apr 20–May 4 (transplant) | Jun 8–22 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | Jun 8–22 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | May 25–Jun 8 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | May 25–Jun 8 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, pole | – | May 25–Jun 8 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | Jun 1–15 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | Jun 8–29 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | Apr 20–27 | May 25–Jun 8 (transplant) May 25–Jun 8 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Summer squash / zucchini | Apr 20–27 | May 25–Jun 8 (transplant) May 25–Jun 8 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Winter squash | Apr 20–27 | May 25–Jun 8 (transplant) May 25–Jun 8 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | May 25–Jun 8 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | Apr 20–27 | Jun 1–15 (transplant) Jun 1–15 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | Apr 20–27 | Jun 1–15 (transplant) Jun 1–15 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Apr 6–20 | Jun 1–15 (transplant) Jun 1–15 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Feb 23–Mar 9 | May 25–Jun 1 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Apr 6–20 | May 25–Jun 8 (transplant) May 25–Jun 8 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | May 4–Jun 1 (sow outdoors) | Aug 3–17 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Mar 9–23 | May 4–18 (transplant) Apr 27–May 18 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | May 18–Jun 1 (sow outdoors) | Aug 3–17 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | May 18–Jun 1 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | Apr 20–May 4 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | Apr 20–May 4 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | Apr 20–May 4 (transplant) | Jul 20–Aug 17 (transplant) |
Typical ranges from university extension planting calendars, adjusted to your frost dates. Probabilities, not guarantees. Fall windows that would overlap spring planting are left out, as are fall crops of frost-tender plants where the frost-free season is under 210 days.
Where these numbers come from
Station: Northfield, VT (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USC00435733), elevation 670 ft, 0.2 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: R (representative, 10+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barre Montpelier AP, VT | 4 mi | May 16 | Sep 29 |
| Montpelier 2, VT | 7 mi | May 5 | Oct 9 |
| Waitsfield 2 SE, VT | 7 mi | May 11 | Oct 1 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 13 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 05664
When is the last frost in 05664?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 05664 is May 18. For a more cautious planting date, use May 30, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 05664?
The average first fall freeze is September 28. In 1 year in 10 it comes by September 13.
What hardiness zone is 05664?
ZIP 05664 is in USDA zone 5a (-20 to -15°F average coldest winter night), per the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map ZIP listing.
What is the soil temperature in 05664 right now?
This page shows the latest 2-inch and 4-inch soil temperature from the nearest public soil station (USDA SCAN, NOAA USCRN or TexMesonet), or a labeled estimate when no station is close, against the 50–55°F spring pre-emergent band.
Nearby ZIP codes
05663 Northfield 05679 Williamstown 05670 South Barre 05654 Graniteville 05660 05678 Websterville 05602 Montpelier 05669
Other ZIP codes in Washington County
05602 05640 05641 05647 05648 05650 05651 05658 05660 05663 05666 05667 05669 05670 05673 05674 05676 05677 05678 05681 05682 All Washington County frost dates · Vermont frost dates
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- Freeze alerts
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Free. One weekly email plus alerts when your ZIP has a frost or a soil-temperature change worth acting on. After you submit, Kit (our email provider) sends a confirmation email: check your email and click the link to confirm. You aren't subscribed until you do. We collect only your email address and ZIP, sent to Kit to deliver The Dial. Unsubscribe anytime.