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

Planting zone for 05451 — Essex, VT

ZIP code 05451 (Essex, 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 05451 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 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 Essex, 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 Essex, 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 05451

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 05451 came on Apr 16 — 4 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 20).

average
Apr 202026
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 Essex, VT.

Soil in Essex, VT

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 05451 is Duane — fine sandy loam, moderately well drained.

TextureFine sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

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

DrainageModerately well drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter5.5%high

Hydrologic groupA/Ddrains fast once dried out; wet otherwise

Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Duane and Deerfield soils, 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 05451; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Essex, 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

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 5a.

054525a

Essex Junction, VT · 1 mi

054025a

Burlington, VT · 5 mi

054065a

Burlington, VT · 5 mi

054075a

South Burlington, VT · 5 mi

054535a

Essex Junction, VT · 5 mi

054495a

Colchester, VT · 5 mi

054395a

Colchester, VT · 6 mi

054955a

Williston, VT · 6 mi

Vermont planting zones →

Questions about 05451

What planting zone is ZIP code 05451?

ZIP code 05451 (Essex, 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 Essex, VT?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 05451 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 Essex, VT?

The median first fall frost near 05451 is October 11, giving a median frost-free growing season of 160 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 05451?

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 05451 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 Essex, 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 05451 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Duane at the center of ZIP 05451: fine sandy loam, moderately well drained, pH about 4.8 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Essex, VT in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 05451 came on Apr 16 in 2026, 4 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 20), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Essex, VT?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 05451 is 15 h 33 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 05451 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 05451 in zone 4b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 5a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.