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

Planting zone for 05449 — Colchester, VT

ZIP code 05449 (Colchester, Chittenden County) is in USDA zone 5a: the coldest winter night averages −20 to −15 °F. The median last spring frost is May 2 and the first fall frost October 11.

Where ZIP 05449 is

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 2

First frostOct 11

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 Colchester, 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 Colchester, VT

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMay 2median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 17only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 11median — 10% chance by Sep 30

Growing season160 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 23 and returns around October 24.

From the NOAA station Essex Junction 1 N, VT — 3 miles away, elevation 341 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 05449

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 21 – Apr 4

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 21 – Apr 11

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 21 – Mar 7

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 11 – Apr 25

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 4 – Apr 18

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 11 – Apr 25

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 4 – Apr 18

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 11 – Apr 25

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 7 – Mar 21

TomatoesTransplant · May 9 – May 23

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 21 – Mar 7

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 16 – May 30

BeansSow outdoors · May 9 – May 23

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 9 – May 23

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 9 – May 23

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 16 – Aug 30

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 27 – Nov 1

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 2) and first fall frost (Oct 11) 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 05449 came on Apr 16 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Apr 17).

average
Apr 172026
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 Colchester, VT.

Soil in Colchester, VT

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 05449 is Adams — loamy sand, somewhat excessively drained.

TextureLoamy sanddrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

pH4.8strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageSomewhat excessively drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter3.5%moderate

Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast

Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Adams and Windsor loamy sands, 0 to 5 percent slopes.

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 05449; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Colchester, VT

Summer high81 °Faverage high, July

Winter low10 °Faverage low, January

Hot days8days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights158nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,552base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 33 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day8 h 49 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

Snowfall86 inper year; 101 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: Essex Junction 1 N, VT (3 mi away); precipitation: Essex Junction 1 N, VT (3 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

054395a

Colchester, VT · 3 mi

054045a

Winooski, VT · 4 mi

054465b

Colchester, VT · 4 mi

054525a

Essex Junction, VT · 4 mi

054055a

Burlington, VT · 5 mi

054515a

Essex, VT · 5 mi

054015b

Burlington, VT · 6 mi

054085b

Burlington, VT · 7 mi

All 3 ZIP codes in Colchester → · Vermont planting zones →

Questions about 05449

What planting zone is ZIP code 05449?

ZIP code 05449 (Colchester, 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 Colchester, VT?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 05449 is May 2; after May 17 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Essex Junction 1 N station.

When is the first frost in Colchester, VT?

The median first fall frost near 05449 is October 11, giving a median frost-free growing season of 160 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 05449?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 7 – Mar 21 and set transplants outside around May 9 – May 23, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 05449 get?

About 42.3 inches of precipitation a year and 86 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Essex Junction 1 N station).

How hot do summers get in Colchester, VT?

The average high peaks at 81 °F in July, with about 8 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 05449 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Adams at the center of ZIP 05449: loamy sand, somewhat excessively drained, pH about 4.8 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Colchester, VT in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 05449 came on Apr 16 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Apr 17), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Colchester, VT?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 05449 is 15 h 33 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).