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

Planting zone for 05201 — Bennington, VT

ZIP code 05201 (Bennington, Bennington County) is in USDA zone 5b: the coldest winter night averages −15 to −10 °F. The median last spring frost is May 11 and the first fall frost October 2.

Where ZIP 05201 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 11

First frostOct 2

2012 zone5a

Was 5a 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 5b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Bennington, 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 Bennington, VT

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMay 11median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 28only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 2median — 10% chance by Sep 19

Growing season143 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 29 and returns around October 14.

From the NOAA station Bennington Morse St Airport, VT — 6 miles away, elevation 827 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 05201

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 30 – Apr 13

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 30 – Apr 20

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 2 – Mar 16

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 20 – May 4

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 13 – Apr 27

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 20 – May 4

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 13 – Apr 27

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 20 – May 4

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 16 – Mar 30

TomatoesTransplant · May 18 – Jun 1

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 2 – Mar 16

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 25 – Jun 8

BeansSow outdoors · May 18 – Jun 1

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 18 – Jun 1

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 18 – Jun 1

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 11) 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 05201 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).

Soil in Bennington, VT

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 05201 is Houghtonville — 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 groupBwater soaks in moderately

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Houghtonville-Rawsonville association, hilly, rocky.

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 05201; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Bennington, VT

Summer high81 °Faverage high, July

Winter low13 °Faverage low, January

Hot days3days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights152nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,257base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 21 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 01 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation38.6 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: Bennington Morse St Airport, VT (6 mi away); precipitation: Bennington Morse St Airport, VT (6 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.

053525b

Stamford, VT · 5 mi

052625a

Shaftsbury, VT · 8 mi

052605b

North Pownal, VT · 8 mi

052615b

Pownal, VT · 8 mi

053505b

Readsboro, VT · 10 mi

120895b

Hoosick, NY · 10 mi

052575b

North Bennington, VT · 10 mi

053635a

Wilmington, VT · 11 mi

Vermont planting zones →

Questions about 05201

What planting zone is ZIP code 05201?

ZIP code 05201 (Bennington, 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 Bennington, VT?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 05201 is May 11; after May 28 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Bennington Morse St Airport station.

When is the first frost in Bennington, VT?

The median first fall frost near 05201 is October 2, giving a median frost-free growing season of 143 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 05201?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 16 – Mar 30 and set transplants outside around May 18 – Jun 1, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 05201 get?

About 38.6 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Bennington Morse St Airport station).

How hot do summers get in Bennington, VT?

The average high peaks at 81 °F in July, with about 3 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 05201 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Houghtonville at the center of ZIP 05201: moderately decomposed plant material, well drained, pH about 4.3 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Bennington, VT in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 05201 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 Bennington, VT?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 05201 is 15 h 21 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 05201 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 05201 in zone 5a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 5b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.