Data: 2023 USDA zones (PRISM/OSU) · NOAA 1991–2020 normals · updated Oct 29, 2026

Planting zone for 05032 — Bethel, VT

ZIP code 05032 (Bethel, Windsor County) is in USDA zone 5a: the coldest winter night averages −20 to −15 °F. The median last spring frost is May 13 and the first fall frost October 2.

Where ZIP 05032 is

Outlined: the ZIP code area · tap the map for the zone at any spot · scroll or pinch to zoom

Not the official USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Zones come from the 2023 USDA hardiness-zone data by the PRISM Group, Oregon State University; we re-mapped and recolored them. The official map is at planthardiness.ars.usda.gov.

Zone5a−20 to −15 °F

Coldest night−28.9 to −26.1 °C

Last frostMay 13

First frostOct 2

2012 zone4b

Was 4b on the 2012 map — half a zone warmer now. The zone is the one at the center of the ZIP code; hilly ZIPs can span two zones. What zone 5a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Bethel, VT…

Forecast data: National Weather Service (api.weather.gov), public domain. This is not a warning service — for official frost and freeze warnings see weather.gov.

Frost dates in Bethel, VT

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free

Last spring frostMay 13median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 29only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 2median — 10% chance by Sep 19

Growing season141 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 30 and returns around October 13.

From the NOAA station Rochester, VT — 8 miles away, elevation 830 ft. NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, 32 °F threshold. Low spots and valleys can freeze later in spring than the station.

When to plant vegetables in 05032

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Apr 1 – Apr 15

SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 1 – Apr 22

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 4 – Mar 18

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 22 – May 6

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 15 – Apr 29

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 22 – May 6

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 15 – Apr 29

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 22 – May 6

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 18 – Apr 1

TomatoesTransplant · May 20 – Jun 3

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 4 – Mar 18

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 27 – Jun 10

BeansSow outdoors · May 20 – Jun 3

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 20 – Jun 3

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 20 – Jun 3

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 7 – Aug 21

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 18 – Oct 23

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 13) and first fall frost (Oct 2) with the rules of thumb U.S. extension services publish. Cool-season crops take a light frost; warm-season crops do best once the soil is above about 60 °F.

When spring arrived in 2026

In 2026, spring leaf-out near 05032 came on Apr 16 — 8 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 24).

average
Apr 242026
Apr 16

JanFebMarAprMayJun

The Spring Index marks the day when accumulated warmth is enough for lilac and honeysuckle to leaf out — a widely used signal that the growing season has started. Source: USA National Phenology Network, www.usanpn.org — Spring Indices, first leaf, 2026 (data as of 2026-09-08) and 30-year average 1991–2020 (CC BY 4.0).

Soil in Bethel, VT

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 05032 is Tunbridge — moderately decomposed plant material, well drained.

TextureModerately decomposed plant materialtop layer

pH3.5strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter85%high

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Tunbridge-Lyman complex, 8 to 15 percent slopes, very rocky.

Soil Survey Staff, Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA. Soil Survey Geographic (SSURGO) Database, via Soil Data Access, accessed 2026-10-29. The soil at the center point of ZIP 05032; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Bethel, VT

Summer high79 °Faverage high, July

Winter low9 °Faverage low, January

Hot days3days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights177nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days1,963base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 28 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day8 h 54 mindaylight on December 21

Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)

Precipitation43.7 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall81 inper year; 122 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Rochester, VT (8 mi away); precipitation: Bethel 4 N, VT (6 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 5a.

057725a

Stockbridge, VT · 5 mi

050685a

South Royalton, VT · 6 mi

Pittsfield, VT · 9 mi

050615a

Randolph Center, VT · 10 mi

050675a

South Pomfret, VT · 10 mi

057675a

Rochester, VT · 10 mi

Vermont planting zones →

Questions about 05032

What planting zone is ZIP code 05032?

ZIP code 05032 (Bethel, VT) is in USDA hardiness zone 5a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −20 to −15 °F (−28.9 to −26.1 °C).

When is the last frost in Bethel, VT?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 05032 is May 13; after May 29 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Rochester station.

When is the first frost in Bethel, VT?

The median first fall frost near 05032 is October 2, giving a median frost-free growing season of 141 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 05032?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 18 – Apr 1 and set transplants outside around May 20 – Jun 3, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 05032 get?

About 43.7 inches of precipitation a year and 81 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Bethel 4 N station).

How hot do summers get in Bethel, VT?

The average high peaks at 79 °F in July, with about 3 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 05032 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Tunbridge at the center of ZIP 05032: moderately decomposed plant material, well drained, pH about 3.5 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Bethel, VT in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 05032 came on Apr 16 in 2026, 8 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 24), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Bethel, VT?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 05032 is 15 h 28 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 05032 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 05032 in zone 4b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 5a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.