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

Planting zone for 05076 — Topsham, VT

ZIP code 05076 (Topsham, 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 05076 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 Topsham, 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 Topsham, 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 — 11 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 05076

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 05076 came on Apr 17 — 10 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 27).

average
Apr 272026
Apr 17

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 Topsham, VT.

Soil in Topsham, VT

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 05076 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 05076; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Topsham, 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 30 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day8 h 52 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation38.1 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall66 inper year

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Corinth, VT (11 mi away); precipitation: South Newbury, VT (10 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.

050694b

South Ryegate, VT · 4 mi

050865a

West Topsham, VT · 5 mi

050405a

East Corinth, VT · 5 mi

050464b

Groton, VT · 6 mi

050815a

Wells River, VT · 7 mi

East Barre, VT · 7 mi

Vermont planting zones →

Questions about 05076

What planting zone is ZIP code 05076?

ZIP code 05076 (Topsham, 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 Topsham, VT?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 05076 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 Topsham, VT?

The median first fall frost near 05076 is September 29, giving a median frost-free growing season of 136 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 05076?

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 05076 get?

About 38.1 inches of precipitation a year and 66 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, South Newbury station).

How hot do summers get in Topsham, 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 05076 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Colrain at the center of ZIP 05076: fine sandy loam, well drained, pH about 6.2 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in Topsham, VT in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 05076 came on Apr 17 in 2026, 10 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 27), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Topsham, VT?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 05076 is 15 h 30 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 05076 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 05076 in zone 4b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 5a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.