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

Planting zone for 05056 — Plymouth, VT

ZIP code 05056 (Plymouth, Windsor County) is in USDA zone 5b: the coldest winter night averages −15 to −10 °F. The median last spring frost is May 16 and the first fall frost September 29.

Where ZIP 05056 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.

Zone5b−15 to −10 °F

Coldest night−26.1 to −23.3 °C

Last frostMay 16

First frostSep 29

2012 zone5b

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 5b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Plymouth, 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 Plymouth, VT

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMay 16median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 31only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostSeptember 29median — 10% chance by Sep 16

Growing season136 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 2 and returns around October 7.

From the NOAA station Cavendish, VT — 10 miles away, elevation 843 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 05056

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Apr 4 – Apr 18

SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 4 – Apr 25

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 7 – Mar 21

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 25 – May 9

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 18 – May 2

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 25 – May 9

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 18 – May 2

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 25 – May 9

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 21 – Apr 4

TomatoesTransplant · May 23 – Jun 6

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 7 – Mar 21

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 30 – Jun 13

BeansSow outdoors · May 23 – Jun 6

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 23 – Jun 6

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 23 – Jun 6

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 16) 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 05056 came on Apr 16 — 5 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 21).

average
Apr 212026
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 5b in Vermont

470 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Vermont, and rated by the USDA to survive −15 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 5b. 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 Plymouth, VT.

Soil in Plymouth, VT

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 05056 is Becket — slightly decomposed plant material, well drained.

TextureSlightly decomposed plant materialtop layer

pH4.9strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter80%high

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Becket fine sandy loam association, 15 to 35 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 05056; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Plymouth, VT

Summer high82 °Faverage high, July

Winter low8 °Faverage low, January

Hot days8days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights183nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,114base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 25 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day8 h 57 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation48.6 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall91 inper year

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Cavendish, VT (10 mi away); precipitation: Ludlow, VT (8 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

2 of the 8 nearest ZIP codes are in a different zone — elevation and distance from water change winter lows quickly.

051535b

Proctorsville, VT · 6 mi

050625b

Reading, VT · 6 mi

057585b

Mount Holly, VT · 6 mi

050345a

Bridgewater, VT · 7 mi

050355a

Bridgewater Corners, VT · 7 mi

051495b

Ludlow, VT · 7 mi

050715b

South Woodstock, VT · 7 mi

057385b

Cuttingsville, VT · 8 mi

Vermont planting zones →

Questions about 05056

What planting zone is ZIP code 05056?

ZIP code 05056 (Plymouth, VT) is in USDA hardiness zone 5b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −15 to −10 °F (−26.1 to −23.3 °C).

When is the last frost in Plymouth, VT?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 05056 is May 16; after May 31 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Cavendish station.

When is the first frost in Plymouth, VT?

The median first fall frost near 05056 is September 29, giving a median frost-free growing season of 136 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 05056?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 21 – Apr 4 and set transplants outside around May 23 – Jun 6, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 05056 get?

About 48.6 inches of precipitation a year and 91 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Ludlow station).

How hot do summers get in Plymouth, VT?

The average high peaks at 82 °F in July, with about 8 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 05056 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Becket at the center of ZIP 05056: slightly decomposed plant material, well drained, pH about 4.9 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Plymouth, VT in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 05056 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 Plymouth, VT?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 05056 is 15 h 25 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).