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

Planting zone for 05088 — Wilder, VT

ZIP code 05088 (Wilder, Windsor County) is in USDA zone 5a: the coldest winter night averages −20 to −15 °F. The median last spring frost is May 1 and the first fall frost October 13.

Where ZIP 05088 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 1

First frostOct 13

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 Wilder, 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 Wilder, VT

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMay 1median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 15only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 13median — 10% chance by Oct 1

Growing season162 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 19 and returns around October 24.

From the NOAA station Hanover, NH — 2 miles away, elevation 584 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 05088

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 20 – Apr 3

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 20 – Apr 10

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 20 – Mar 6

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 10 – Apr 24

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 3 – Apr 17

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 10 – Apr 24

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 3 – Apr 17

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 10 – Apr 24

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 6 – Mar 20

TomatoesTransplant · May 8 – May 22

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 20 – Mar 6

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 15 – May 29

BeansSow outdoors · May 8 – May 22

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 8 – May 22

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 8 – May 22

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 18 – Sep 1

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 29 – Nov 3

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 1) and first fall frost (Oct 13) 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 05088 came on Apr 15 — 5 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 20).

average
Apr 202026
Apr 15

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 Wilder, VT.

Soil in Wilder, VT

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 05088 is Agawam — fine sandy loam, well drained. Much of the area is built over (urban land); this is the natural soil underneath.

TextureFine sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

pH5.4strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter5.5%high

Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Urban land-Windsor-Agawam complex, 0 to 8 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 05088; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Wilder, VT

Summer high83 °Faverage high, July

Winter low13 °Faverage low, January

Hot days9days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights152nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,696base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 27 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)

Precipitation40.1 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall61 inper year; 95 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Hanover, NH (2 mi away); precipitation: Hanover, NH (2 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 5a.

050475a

Hartford, VT · 2 mi

037845a

West Lebanon, NH · 3 mi

050095a

White River Junction, VT · 3 mi

050015a

White River Junction, VT · 4 mi

037665a

Lebanon, NH · 5 mi

050525a

North Hartland, VT · 6 mi

Vermont planting zones →

Questions about 05088

What planting zone is ZIP code 05088?

ZIP code 05088 (Wilder, 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 Wilder, VT?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 05088 is May 1; after May 15 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Hanover station.

When is the first frost in Wilder, VT?

The median first fall frost near 05088 is October 13, giving a median frost-free growing season of 162 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 05088?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 6 – Mar 20 and set transplants outside around May 8 – May 22, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 05088 get?

About 40.1 inches of precipitation a year and 61 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Hanover station).

How hot do summers get in Wilder, VT?

The average high peaks at 83 °F in July, with about 9 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 05088 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Agawam at the center of ZIP 05088: fine sandy loam, well drained, pH about 5.4 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Wilder, VT in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 05088 came on Apr 15 in 2026, 5 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 20), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Wilder, VT?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 05088 is 15 h 27 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).