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

Planting zone for 05083 — West Fairlee, VT

ZIP code 05083 (West 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 05083 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 West 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 West 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 — 7 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 05083

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 05083 came on Apr 16 — 9 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 25).

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 West Fairlee, VT

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 05083 is Tunbridge — fine sandy loam, well drained.

TextureFine sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH4.8strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter5%high
Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Tunbridge-Woodstock complex, 25 to 50 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 05083; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in West 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 (7 mi away); precipitation: Corinth, VT (7 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 5a.

050585a
Post Mills, VT · 3 mi
050795a
Vershire, VT · 4 mi
050455a
Fairlee, VT · 4 mi
050755a
Thetford Center, VT · 5 mi
050705a
South Strafford, VT · 6 mi
050725a
Strafford, VT · 6 mi
050545a
North Thetford, VT · 7 mi
050335a
Bradford, VT · 7 mi

Vermont planting zones →

Questions about 05083

What planting zone is ZIP code 05083?

ZIP code 05083 (West 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 West Fairlee, VT?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 05083 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 West Fairlee, VT?

The median first fall frost near 05083 is September 29, giving a median frost-free growing season of 136 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 05083?

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 05083 get?

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

How hot do summers get in West 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 05083 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Tunbridge at the center of ZIP 05083: fine sandy loam, well drained, pH about 4.8 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in West Fairlee, VT in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 05083 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 West Fairlee, VT?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 05083 is 15 h 29 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 05083 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 05083 in zone 4b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 5a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.