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

Planting zone for 05055 — Norwich, VT

ZIP code 05055 (Norwich, Windsor 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 05055 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 zone5a

Same zone as on the 2012 map. 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 Norwich, 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 Norwich, 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 — 4 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 05055

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 05055 came on Apr 16 — 10 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 26).

average
Apr 262026
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).

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.

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 Norwich, VT.

Soil in Norwich, VT

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 05055 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, 35 to 60 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 05055; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Norwich, 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 55 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

Precipitation by month inches

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Union Village Dam, VT (4 mi away); precipitation: Union Village Dam, VT (4 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 5a.

050655a

Sharon, VT · 5 mi

050755a

Thetford Center, VT · 5 mi

050705a

South Strafford, VT · 5 mi

050435a

East Thetford, VT · 6 mi

050015a

White River Junction, VT · 7 mi

050885a

Wilder, VT · 7 mi

050845a

West Hartford, VT · 7 mi

050475a

Hartford, VT · 7 mi

Vermont planting zones →

Questions about 05055

What planting zone is ZIP code 05055?

ZIP code 05055 (Norwich, 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 Norwich, VT?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 05055 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 Norwich, VT?

The median first fall frost near 05055 is October 2, giving a median frost-free growing season of 145 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 05055?

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 05055 get?

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

How hot do summers get in Norwich, 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 05055 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Buckland at the center of ZIP 05055: slightly decomposed plant material, moderately well drained.

Did spring come early in Norwich, VT in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 05055 came on Apr 16 in 2026, 10 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 26), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Norwich, VT?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 05055 is 15 h 28 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).