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

Planting zone for 05045 — Fairlee, VT

ZIP code 05045 (Fairlee, Orange County) is in USDA zone 5a: the coldest winter night averages −20 to −15 °F. The median last spring frost is May 14 and the first fall frost September 29.

Where ZIP 05045 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 14
First frostSep 29
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 Fairlee, 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 Fairlee, VT

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 14median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 29only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostSeptember 29median — 10% chance by Sep 14
Growing season136 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 1 and returns around October 9.

From the NOAA station Corinth, VT — 9 miles away, elevation 1,181 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 05045

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Apr 2 – Apr 16
SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 2 – Apr 23
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 5 – Mar 19
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 23 – May 7
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 16 – Apr 30
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 23 – May 7
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 16 – Apr 30
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 23 – May 7
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 19 – Apr 2
TomatoesTransplant · May 21 – Jun 4
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 5 – Mar 19
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 28 – Jun 11
BeansSow outdoors · May 21 – Jun 4
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 21 – Jun 4
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 21 – Jun 4
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 4 – Aug 18
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 15 – Oct 20
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 14) and first fall frost (Sep 29) 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 05045 came on Apr 16 — 8 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 24).

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).

Native plants for zone 5a in Vermont

459 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Vermont, and rated by the USDA to survive −20 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 5a. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

Trees 49

American basswood100 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican beech80 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −44 °FAmerican chestnut115 ft · blooms early summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican elm120 ft · blooms early spring · medium shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican sycamore100 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −34 °Farborvitae50 ft · blooms mid spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °F

Shrubs 92

alderleaf buckthorn3 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −33 °FAllegheny serviceberry35 ft · blooms early spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Falternateleaf dogwood25 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −47 °FAmerican black currant3 ft · blooms early spring · to −46 °FAmerican hazelnut10 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican hornbeam30 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −34 °F

Wildflowers & perennials 162

alpine bistort1 ft · blooms mid spring · high shade tolerance · to −38 °Falpine sweetvetch2 ft · blooms early summer · high shade tolerance · to −62 °FAmerican bur-reed3 ft · blooms indeterminate · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican eelgrass1 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican pokeweed7 ft · blooms mid summer · low shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican speedwell0.8 ft · blooms mid summer · low shade tolerance · to −38 °F

Grasses 139

American beachgrass2.5 ft · blooms spring · high shade tolerance · to −28 °Farctic brome3 ft · blooms early summer · low shade tolerance · to −33 °Fawlfruit sedge4 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °FBailey's sedge2.1 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −33 °FBebb's sedge3 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °FBicknell's sedge3 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °F

Vines 6

American bittersweet15 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Fdevil's darning needles15 ft · blooms mid summer · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °Friverbank grape45 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °Fsummer grape30 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −23 °Ftrumpet honeysuckle16 ft · blooms late summer · low shade tolerance · to −33 °FVirginia creeper1 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −28 °F

Source: USDA, NRCS. 2026. The PLANTS Database (plants.usda.gov), National Plant Data Team — state distribution, native status and the “Temperature, Minimum” characteristic. Check light, moisture and soil needs before buying; local nurseries and your state native plant society can confirm what thrives in Fairlee, VT.

Soil in Fairlee, VT

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 05045 is Colrain — fine sandy loam, well drained.

TextureFine sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH6.2slightly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter5%high
Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Colrain very stony fine sandy loam, 8 to 25 percent slopes.

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 05045; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Fairlee, VT

Summer high77 °Faverage high, July
Winter low4 °Faverage low, January
Hot days0days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights183nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days1,642base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 29 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)
Precipitation43.1 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

−10°0°10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°32 °FJanuary: average high 25 °F, low 4 °F 25°4° JanFebruary: average high 28 °F, low 6 °F 28°6° FebMarch: average high 37 °F, low 16 °F 37°16° MarApril: average high 51 °F, low 29 °F 51°29° AprMay: average high 63 °F, low 41 °F 63°41° MayJune: average high 72 °F, low 50 °F 72°50° JunJuly: average high 77 °F, low 56 °F 77°56° JulAugust: average high 74 °F, low 52 °F 74°52° AugSeptember: average high 67 °F, low 45 °F 67°45° SepOctober: average high 55 °F, low 34 °F 55°34° OctNovember: average high 42 °F, low 25 °F 42°25° NovDecember: average high 31 °F, low 14 °F 31°14° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 3.01 in precipitation 3.0 JanFebruary: 2.48 in precipitation 2.5 FebMarch: 2.93 in precipitation 2.9 MarApril: 3.40 in precipitation 3.4 AprMay: 3.77 in precipitation 3.8 MayJune: 4.39 in precipitation 4.4 JunJuly: 4.30 in precipitation 4.3 JulAugust: 3.93 in precipitation 3.9 AugSeptember: 3.53 in precipitation 3.5 SepOctober: 4.53 in precipitation 4.5 OctNovember: 3.24 in precipitation 3.2 NovDecember: 3.64 in precipitation 3.6 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Corinth, VT (9 mi away); precipitation: Corinth, VT (9 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 5a.

050835a
West Fairlee, VT · 4 mi
050545a
North Thetford, VT · 5 mi
050585a
Post Mills, VT · 5 mi
050335a
Bradford, VT · 5 mi
050755a
Thetford Center, VT · 7 mi
037775a
Orford, NH · 8 mi
050795a
Vershire, VT · 8 mi
050435a
East Thetford, VT · 8 mi

Vermont planting zones →

Questions about 05045

What planting zone is ZIP code 05045?

ZIP code 05045 (Fairlee, 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 Fairlee, VT?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 05045 is May 14; after May 29 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Corinth station.

When is the first frost in Fairlee, VT?

The median first fall frost near 05045 is September 29, giving a median frost-free growing season of 136 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 05045?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 19 – Apr 2 and set transplants outside around May 21 – Jun 4, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 05045 get?

About 43.1 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Corinth station).

How hot do summers get in Fairlee, VT?

The average high peaks at 77 °F in July, with about 0 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 05045 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Colrain at the center of ZIP 05045: fine sandy loam, well drained, pH about 6.2 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in Fairlee, VT in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 05045 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 Fairlee, VT?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 05045 is 15 h 29 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 05045 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 05045 in zone 4b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 5a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.