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

Planting zone for 05476 — Richford, VT

ZIP code 05476 (Richford, Franklin County) is in USDA zone 4b: the coldest winter night averages −25 to −20 °F. The median last spring frost is May 14 and the first fall frost October 1.

Where ZIP 05476 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.

Zone4b−25 to −20 °F

Coldest night−31.7 to −28.9 °C

Last frostMay 14

First frostOct 1

2012 zone4a

Was 4a 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 4b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Richford, 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 Richford, 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 31only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 1median — 10% chance by Sep 19

Growing season138 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 2 and returns around October 9.

From the NOAA station Jay Peak, VT — 7 miles away, elevation 1,841 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 05476

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 6 – Aug 20

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 17 – Oct 22

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 14) and first fall frost (Oct 1) 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 05476 came on Apr 18 — 8 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 26).

average
Apr 262026
Apr 18

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 4b in Vermont

432 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Vermont, and rated by the USDA to survive −25 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 4b. 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 Richford, VT.

Soil in Richford, VT

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 05476 is Woodstock — fine sandy loam, somewhat excessively drained.

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

pH5.8moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageSomewhat excessively drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter7%high

Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Woodstock-Rock outcrop complex, 8 to 15 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 05476; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Richford, VT

Summer high74 °Faverage high, July

Winter low4 °Faverage low, January

Hot days0days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights182nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days1,567base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 37 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day8 h 46 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation40.8 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall83 inper year; 96 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: Jay Peak, VT (7 mi away); precipitation: Enosburg Falls, VT (9 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

054474b

East Berkshire, VT · 3 mi

054704b

Montgomery, VT · 4 mi

054504b

Enosburg Falls, VT · 9 mi

058745a

Westfield, VT · 9 mi

054715a

Montgomery Center, VT · 9 mi

058594b

North Troy, VT · 10 mi

054425a

Belvidere Center, VT · 13 mi

054575a

Franklin, VT · 14 mi

Vermont planting zones →

Questions about 05476

What planting zone is ZIP code 05476?

ZIP code 05476 (Richford, VT) is in USDA hardiness zone 4b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −25 to −20 °F (−31.7 to −28.9 °C).

When is the last frost in Richford, VT?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 05476 is May 14; after May 31 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Jay Peak station.

When is the first frost in Richford, VT?

The median first fall frost near 05476 is October 1, giving a median frost-free growing season of 138 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 05476?

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 05476 get?

About 40.8 inches of precipitation a year and 83 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Enosburg Falls station).

How hot do summers get in Richford, VT?

The average high peaks at 74 °F in July, with about 0 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 05476 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Woodstock at the center of ZIP 05476: fine sandy loam, somewhat excessively drained, pH about 5.8 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Richford, VT in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 05476 came on Apr 18 in 2026, 8 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 26), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Richford, VT?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 05476 is 15 h 37 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 05476 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 05476 in zone 4a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 4b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.