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

Planting zone for 05253 — East Dorset, VT

ZIP code 05253 (East Dorset, Bennington County) is in USDA zone 5a: the coldest winter night averages −20 to −15 °F. The median last spring frost is May 16 and the first fall frost October 2.

Where ZIP 05253 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 16

First frostOct 2

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 East Dorset, 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 East Dorset, VT

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMay 16median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 31only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 2median — 10% chance by Sep 20

Growing season140 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 3 and returns around October 13.

From the NOAA station Peru, VT — 4 miles away, elevation 1,700 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 05253

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Apr 4 – Apr 18

SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 4 – Apr 25

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 7 – Mar 21

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 25 – May 9

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 18 – May 2

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 25 – May 9

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 18 – May 2

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 25 – May 9

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 21 – Apr 4

TomatoesTransplant · May 23 – Jun 6

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 7 – Mar 21

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 30 – Jun 13

BeansSow outdoors · May 23 – Jun 6

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 23 – Jun 6

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 23 – Jun 6

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 16) 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 05253 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).

Soil in East Dorset, VT

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 05253 is Pittsfield — 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 groupAwater soaks in fast

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Pittsfield fine sandy loam, 15 to 25 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 05253; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in East Dorset, VT

Summer high75 °Faverage high, July

Winter low8 °Faverage low, January

Hot days0days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights175nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days1,702base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 24 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day8 h 58 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation51 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: Peru, VT (4 mi away); precipitation: Peru, VT (4 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

1 of the 8 nearest ZIP codes are in a different zone — elevation and distance from water change winter lows quickly.

Manchester, VT · 8 mi

052555a

Manchester Center, VT · 9 mi

057615a

Pawlet, VT · 9 mi

051485a

Londonderry, VT · 10 mi

Vermont planting zones →

Questions about 05253

What planting zone is ZIP code 05253?

ZIP code 05253 (East Dorset, 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 East Dorset, VT?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 05253 is May 16; after May 31 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Peru station.

When is the first frost in East Dorset, VT?

The median first fall frost near 05253 is October 2, giving a median frost-free growing season of 140 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 05253?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 21 – Apr 4 and set transplants outside around May 23 – Jun 6, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 05253 get?

About 51 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Peru station).

How hot do summers get in East Dorset, VT?

The average high peaks at 75 °F in July, with about 0 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 05253 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Pittsfield at the center of ZIP 05253: moderately decomposed plant material, well drained, pH about 4.3 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in East Dorset, VT in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 05253 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 East Dorset, VT?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 05253 is 15 h 24 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).