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

Planting zone for 05443 — Bristol, VT

ZIP code 05443 (Bristol, Addison County) is in USDA zone 5a: the coldest winter night averages −20 to −15 °F. The median last spring frost is May 21 and the first fall frost September 25.

Where ZIP 05443 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 21

First frostSep 25

2012 zone4b

Was 4b 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 5a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Bristol, 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 Bristol, VT

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMay 21median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsJune 6only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostSeptember 25median — 10% chance by Sep 8

Growing season124 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 8 and returns around October 5.

From the NOAA station S Lincoln, VT — 6 miles away, elevation 1,342 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 05443

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Apr 9 – Apr 23

SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 9 – Apr 30

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 12 – Mar 26

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 30 – May 14

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 23 – May 7

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 30 – May 14

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 23 – May 7

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 30 – May 14

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 26 – Apr 9

TomatoesTransplant · May 28 – Jun 11

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 12 – Mar 26

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Jun 4 – Jun 18

BeansSow outdoors · May 28 – Jun 11

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 28 – Jun 11

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 28 – Jun 11

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Jul 31 – Aug 14

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 11 – Oct 16

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 21) and first fall frost (Sep 25) 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 05443 came on Apr 16 — 8 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 24).

average
Apr 242026
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 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 Bristol, VT.

Soil in Bristol, VT

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 05443 is Berkshire — slightly decomposed plant material, well drained.

TextureSlightly decomposed plant materialtop layer

pH3.5strongly 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: Berkshire and Marlow soils, 20 to 50 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 05443; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Bristol, VT

Summer high76 °Faverage high, July

Winter low6 °Faverage low, January

Hot days1days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights178nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days1,588base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 30 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day8 h 52 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation49.4 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall113 inper year; 114 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: S Lincoln, VT (6 mi away); precipitation: S Lincoln, VT (6 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 5a.

054875a

Starksboro, VT · 5 mi

North Ferrisburgh, VT · 10 mi

056735a

Waitsfield, VT · 11 mi

057665a

Ripton, VT · 11 mi

054625a

Huntington, VT · 12 mi

Vermont planting zones →

Questions about 05443

What planting zone is ZIP code 05443?

ZIP code 05443 (Bristol, 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 Bristol, VT?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 05443 is May 21; after June 6 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, S Lincoln station.

When is the first frost in Bristol, VT?

The median first fall frost near 05443 is September 25, giving a median frost-free growing season of 124 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 05443?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 26 – Apr 9 and set transplants outside around May 28 – Jun 11, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 05443 get?

About 49.4 inches of precipitation a year and 113 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, S Lincoln station).

How hot do summers get in Bristol, VT?

The average high peaks at 76 °F in July, with about 1 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 05443 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Berkshire at the center of ZIP 05443: slightly decomposed plant material, well drained, pH about 3.5 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Bristol, VT in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 05443 came on Apr 16 in 2026, 8 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 24), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Bristol, VT?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 05443 is 15 h 30 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 05443 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 05443 in zone 4b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 5a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.