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

Planting zone for 05065 — Sharon, VT

ZIP code 05065 (Sharon, 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 05065 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 Sharon, 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 Sharon, 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 — 8 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 05065

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 05065 came on Apr 16 — 9 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 25).

average
Apr 252026
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 Sharon, VT

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 05065 is Shelburne — moderately decomposed plant material, well drained.

TextureModerately decomposed plant materialtop layer

pH4.3strongly 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: Shelburne fine sandy loam, 8 to 15 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 05065; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Sharon, 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)

Precipitation44.3 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 (8 mi away); precipitation: Pomfret 2.6 N, VT (6 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 5a.

050845a

West Hartford, VT · 5 mi

050555a

Norwich, VT · 5 mi

050705a

South Strafford, VT · 6 mi

050535a

North Pomfret, VT · 6 mi

050725a

Strafford, VT · 7 mi

050685a

South Royalton, VT · 7 mi

050755a

Thetford Center, VT · 8 mi

050015a

White River Junction, VT · 8 mi

Vermont planting zones →

Questions about 05065

What planting zone is ZIP code 05065?

ZIP code 05065 (Sharon, 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 Sharon, VT?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 05065 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 Sharon, VT?

The median first fall frost near 05065 is October 2, giving a median frost-free growing season of 145 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 05065?

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 05065 get?

About 44.3 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Pomfret 2.6 N station).

How hot do summers get in Sharon, 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 05065 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Shelburne at the center of ZIP 05065: moderately decomposed plant material, well drained, pH about 4.3 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Sharon, VT in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 05065 came on Apr 16 in 2026, 9 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 25), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Sharon, VT?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 05065 is 15 h 28 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 05065 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 05065 in zone 4b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 5a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.