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

Planting zone for 05043 — East Thetford, VT

ZIP code 05043 (East Thetford, Orange County) is in USDA zone 5a: the coldest winter night averages −20 to −15 °F. The median last spring frost is May 9 and the first fall frost October 2.

Where ZIP 05043 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 9
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 East Thetford, 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 East Thetford, VT

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 9median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 22only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 2median — 10% chance by Sep 20
Growing season145 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 30 and returns around October 12.

From the NOAA station Union Village Dam, VT — 2 miles away, elevation 459 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 05043

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 28 – Apr 11
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 28 – Apr 18
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 28 – Mar 14
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 18 – May 2
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 11 – Apr 25
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 18 – May 2
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 11 – Apr 25
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 18 – May 2
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 14 – Mar 28
TomatoesTransplant · May 16 – May 30
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 28 – Mar 14
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 23 – Jun 6
BeansSow outdoors · May 16 – May 30
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 16 – May 30
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 16 – May 30
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 9) 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 05043 came on Apr 16 — 5 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 21).

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 East Thetford, VT

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 05043 is Buckland — slightly decomposed plant material, moderately well drained.

TextureSlightly decomposed plant materialtop layer
DrainageModerately well drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter85%high
Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Buckland loam, 8 to 25 percent slopes, very stony.

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 05043; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in East Thetford, VT

Summer high82 °Faverage high, July
Winter low6 °Faverage low, January
Hot days9days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights178nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,186base 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)
Precipitation39.9 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

0°10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°32 °FJanuary: average high 29 °F, low 6 °F 29°6° JanFebruary: average high 32 °F, low 8 °F 32°8° FebMarch: average high 41 °F, low 18 °F 41°18° MarApril: average high 55 °F, low 29 °F 55°29° AprMay: average high 68 °F, low 42 °F 68°42° MayJune: average high 77 °F, low 52 °F 77°52° JunJuly: average high 82 °F, low 57 °F 82°57° JulAugust: average high 81 °F, low 55 °F 81°55° AugSeptember: average high 73 °F, low 47 °F 73°47° SepOctober: average high 59 °F, low 36 °F 59°36° OctNovember: average high 46 °F, low 26 °F 46°26° NovDecember: average high 34 °F, low 16 °F 34°16° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 2.65 in precipitation 2.6 JanFebruary: 2.25 in precipitation 2.3 FebMarch: 2.68 in precipitation 2.7 MarApril: 2.87 in precipitation 2.9 AprMay: 3.55 in precipitation 3.5 MayJune: 4.06 in precipitation 4.1 JunJuly: 4.27 in precipitation 4.3 JulAugust: 3.67 in precipitation 3.7 AugSeptember: 3.42 in precipitation 3.4 SepOctober: 4.32 in precipitation 4.3 OctNovember: 3.07 in precipitation 3.1 NovDecember: 3.05 in precipitation 3.0 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Union Village Dam, VT (2 mi away); precipitation: Union Village Dam, VT (2 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 5a.

050545a
North Thetford, VT · 3 mi
050755a
Thetford Center, VT · 5 mi
037695a
Lyme Center, NH · 5 mi
050555a
Norwich, VT · 6 mi
037685a
Lyme, NH · 6 mi
037505a
Etna, NH · 6 mi
050585a
Post Mills, VT · 6 mi
037555a
Hanover, NH · 6 mi

Vermont planting zones →

Questions about 05043

What planting zone is ZIP code 05043?

ZIP code 05043 (East Thetford, 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 East Thetford, VT?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 05043 is May 9; after May 22 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Union Village Dam station.

When is the first frost in East Thetford, VT?

The median first fall frost near 05043 is October 2, giving a median frost-free growing season of 145 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 05043?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 14 – Mar 28 and set transplants outside around May 16 – May 30, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 05043 get?

About 39.9 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Union Village Dam station).

How hot do summers get in East Thetford, VT?

The average high peaks at 82 °F in July, with about 9 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 05043 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Buckland at the center of ZIP 05043: slightly decomposed plant material, moderately well drained.

Did spring come early in East Thetford, VT in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 05043 came on Apr 16 in 2026, 5 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 21), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in East Thetford, VT?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 05043 is 15 h 28 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 05043 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 05043 in zone 4b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 5a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.