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

Planting zone for 05352 — Stamford, VT

ZIP code 05352 (Stamford, Bennington County) is in USDA zone 5b: the coldest winter night averages −15 to −10 °F. The median last spring frost is May 7 and the first fall frost October 8.

Where ZIP 05352 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 7

First frostOct 8

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 Stamford, 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 Stamford, VT

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMay 7median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 22only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 8median — 10% chance by Sep 26

Growing season154 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 25 and returns around October 21.

From the NOAA station Pownal 1 Ne, VT — 7 miles away, elevation 1,109 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 05352

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 26 – Apr 9

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 26 – Apr 16

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 26 – Mar 12

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 16 – Apr 30

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 9 – Apr 23

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 16 – Apr 30

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 9 – Apr 23

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 16 – Apr 30

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 12 – Mar 26

TomatoesTransplant · May 14 – May 28

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 26 – Mar 12

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 21 – Jun 4

BeansSow outdoors · May 14 – May 28

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 14 – May 28

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 14 – May 28

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 13 – Aug 27

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 24 – Oct 29

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 7) and first fall frost (Oct 8) 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 05352 came on Apr 16 — 7 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 23).

average
Apr 232026
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).

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.

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 Stamford, VT.

Soil in Stamford, VT

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 05352 is Rawsonville — 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 groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Rawsonville-Houghtonville complex, 15 to 25 percent slopes, 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 05352; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Stamford, VT

Summer high81 °Faverage high, July

Winter low12 °Faverage low, January

Hot days3days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights157nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,199base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 20 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)

Precipitation42.3 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: Pownal 1 Ne, VT (7 mi away); precipitation: North Adams Harriman Airport, MA (9 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.

052015b

Bennington, VT · 5 mi

053505b

Readsboro, VT · 5 mi

013505b

Monroe Bridge, MA · 7 mi

052615b

Pownal, VT · 7 mi

012475b

North Adams, MA · 8 mi

052605b

North Pownal, VT · 9 mi

053635a

Wilmington, VT · 10 mi

053615b

Whitingham, VT · 10 mi

Vermont planting zones →

Questions about 05352

What planting zone is ZIP code 05352?

ZIP code 05352 (Stamford, 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 Stamford, VT?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 05352 is May 7; after May 22 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Pownal 1 Ne station.

When is the first frost in Stamford, VT?

The median first fall frost near 05352 is October 8, giving a median frost-free growing season of 154 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 05352?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 12 – Mar 26 and set transplants outside around May 14 – May 28, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 05352 get?

About 42.3 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, North Adams Harriman Airport station).

How hot do summers get in Stamford, 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 05352 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Rawsonville at the center of ZIP 05352: moderately decomposed plant material, well drained, pH about 4.3 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Stamford, VT in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 05352 came on Apr 16 in 2026, 7 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 23), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Stamford, VT?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 05352 is 15 h 20 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 05352 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 05352 in zone 5a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 5b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.