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

Planting zone for 05301 — Brattleboro, VT

ZIP code 05301 (Brattleboro, Windham County) is in USDA zone 5b: the coldest winter night averages −15 to −10 °F. The median last spring frost is May 14 and the first fall frost October 4.

Where ZIP 05301 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 14
First frostOct 4
2012 zone5b

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 5b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Brattleboro, 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 Brattleboro, 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 26only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 4median — 10% chance by Sep 20
Growing season143 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 1 and returns around October 14.

From the NOAA station Rowe 3ne, MA — 13 miles away, elevation 1,736 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 05301

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 9 – Aug 23
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 20 – Oct 25
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 14) and first fall frost (Oct 4) 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 05301 came on Apr 12 — 11 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 23).

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 5b in Vermont

470 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Vermont, and rated by the USDA to survive −15 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 5b. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

Trees 52

American basswood100 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican beech80 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −44 °FAmerican chestnut115 ft · blooms early summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican elm120 ft · blooms early spring · medium shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican sycamore100 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −34 °Farborvitae50 ft · blooms mid spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °F

Shrubs 94

alderleaf buckthorn3 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −33 °FAllegheny serviceberry35 ft · blooms early spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Falternateleaf dogwood25 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −47 °FAmerican black currant3 ft · blooms early spring · to −46 °FAmerican hazelnut10 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican hornbeam30 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −34 °F

Wildflowers & perennials 166

alpine bistort1 ft · blooms mid spring · high shade tolerance · to −38 °Falpine sweetvetch2 ft · blooms early summer · high shade tolerance · to −62 °FAmerican bur-reed3 ft · blooms indeterminate · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican eelgrass1 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican pokeweed7 ft · blooms mid summer · low shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican speedwell0.8 ft · blooms mid summer · low shade tolerance · to −38 °F

Grasses 140

American beachgrass2.5 ft · blooms spring · high shade tolerance · to −28 °Farctic brome3 ft · blooms early summer · low shade tolerance · to −33 °Fawlfruit sedge4 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °FBailey's sedge2.1 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −33 °FBebb's sedge3 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °FBicknell's sedge3 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °F

Vines 6

American bittersweet15 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Fdevil's darning needles15 ft · blooms mid summer · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °Friverbank grape45 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °Fsummer grape30 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −23 °Ftrumpet honeysuckle16 ft · blooms late summer · low shade tolerance · to −33 °FVirginia creeper1 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −28 °F

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 Brattleboro, VT.

Soil in Brattleboro, VT

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 05301 is Tunbridge — moderately decomposed plant material, well drained.

TextureModerately decomposed plant materialtop layer
pH3.5strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter85%high
Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Tunbridge-Lyman complex, 8 to 15 percent slopes, very 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 05301; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Brattleboro, VT

Summer high75 °Faverage high, July
Winter low11 °Faverage low, January
Hot days1days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights162nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days1,751base 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)
Precipitation49.1 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

0°10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°32 °FJanuary: average high 29 °F, low 11 °F 29°11° JanFebruary: average high 31 °F, low 13 °F 31°13° FebMarch: average high 39 °F, low 20 °F 39°20° MarApril: average high 51 °F, low 32 °F 51°32° AprMay: average high 63 °F, low 42 °F 63°42° MayJune: average high 70 °F, low 52 °F 70°52° JunJuly: average high 75 °F, low 57 °F 75°57° JulAugust: average high 75 °F, low 55 °F 75°55° AugSeptember: average high 68 °F, low 48 °F 68°48° SepOctober: average high 56 °F, low 36 °F 56°36° OctNovember: average high 44 °F, low 28 °F 44°28° NovDecember: average high 34 °F, low 19 °F 34°19° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 3.52 in precipitation 3.5 JanFebruary: 3.17 in precipitation 3.2 FebMarch: 3.62 in precipitation 3.6 MarApril: 3.98 in precipitation 4.0 AprMay: 3.82 in precipitation 3.8 MayJune: 4.88 in precipitation 4.9 JunJuly: 4.32 in precipitation 4.3 JulAugust: 4.21 in precipitation 4.2 AugSeptember: 4.73 in precipitation 4.7 SepOctober: 4.81 in precipitation 4.8 OctNovember: 3.51 in precipitation 3.5 NovDecember: 4.53 in precipitation 4.5 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Rowe 3ne, MA (13 mi away); precipitation: West Chesterfield 0.3 Wnw, NH (8 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.

053445b
Marlboro, VT · 4 mi
053026a
Brattleboro, VT · 5 mi
053036a
Brattleboro, VT · 5 mi
053045b
Brattleboro, VT · 5 mi
053585b
West Halifax, VT · 6 mi
053575b
West Dummerston, VT · 6 mi
053625b
Williamsville, VT · 7 mi
053515b
South Newfane, VT · 7 mi

All 4 ZIP codes in Brattleboro → · Vermont planting zones →

Questions about 05301

What planting zone is ZIP code 05301?

ZIP code 05301 (Brattleboro, 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 Brattleboro, VT?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 05301 is May 14; after May 26 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Rowe 3ne station.

When is the first frost in Brattleboro, VT?

The median first fall frost near 05301 is October 4, giving a median frost-free growing season of 143 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 05301?

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 05301 get?

About 49.1 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, West Chesterfield 0.3 Wnw station).

How hot do summers get in Brattleboro, VT?

The average high peaks at 75 °F in July, with about 1 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 05301 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Tunbridge at the center of ZIP 05301: moderately decomposed plant material, well drained, pH about 3.5 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Brattleboro, VT in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 05301 came on Apr 12 in 2026, 11 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 23), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Brattleboro, VT?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 05301 is 15 h 21 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).