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

Planting zone for 05486 — South Hero, VT

ZIP code 05486 (South Hero, Grand Isle County) is in USDA zone 5b: the coldest winter night averages −15 to −10 °F. The median last spring frost is April 28 and the first fall frost October 20.

Where ZIP 05486 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 frostApr 28

First frostOct 20

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 South Hero, 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 South Hero, VT

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 28median — 50% chance of a later frost

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

First fall frostOctober 20median — 10% chance by Oct 4

Growing season174 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 18 and returns around November 1.

From the NOAA station S Hero, VT — within 1 mile, elevation 112 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 05486

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 17 – Mar 31

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 17 – Apr 7

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 17 – Mar 3

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 7 – Apr 21

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 31 – Apr 14

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 7 – Apr 21

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 31 – Apr 14

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 7 – Apr 21

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 3 – Mar 17

TomatoesTransplant · May 5 – May 19

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 17 – Mar 3

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 12 – May 26

BeansSow outdoors · May 5 – May 19

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 5 – May 19

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 5 – May 19

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 25 – Sep 8

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 6 – Nov 10

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 28) and first fall frost (Oct 20) 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 05486 came on Apr 17 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Apr 18).

average
Apr 182026
Apr 17

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 South Hero, VT.

Soil in South Hero, VT

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 05486 is Covington — silty clay loam, poorly drained.

TextureSilty clay loamholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up

pH6.5neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainagePoorly drainedconsider raised beds

Organic matter10%high

Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly

Farmland classFarmland of statewide importance, if drainedUSDA classification

Map unit: Covington silty clay loam, 0 to 3 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 05486; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in South Hero, VT

Summer high82 °Faverage high, July

Winter low11 °Faverage low, January

Hot days6days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights141nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,576base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 34 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)

Precipitation35 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall50 inper year; 81 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 Hero, VT (within 1 mile); precipitation: S Hero, VT (within 1 mile). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

054585a

Grand Isle, VT · 6 mi

054465b

Colchester, VT · 7 mi

054685a

Milton, VT · 7 mi

129035a

Plattsburgh, NY · 8 mi

054085b

Burlington, VT · 9 mi

129755a

Port Kent, NY · 9 mi

054495a

Colchester, VT · 10 mi

129015a

Plattsburgh, NY · 10 mi

Vermont planting zones →

Questions about 05486

What planting zone is ZIP code 05486?

ZIP code 05486 (South Hero, 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 South Hero, VT?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 05486 is April 28; after May 10 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, S Hero station.

When is the first frost in South Hero, VT?

The median first fall frost near 05486 is October 20, giving a median frost-free growing season of 174 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 05486?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 3 – Mar 17 and set transplants outside around May 5 – May 19, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 05486 get?

About 35 inches of precipitation a year and 50 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, S Hero station).

How hot do summers get in South Hero, VT?

The average high peaks at 82 °F in July, with about 6 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 05486 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Covington at the center of ZIP 05486: silty clay loam, poorly drained, pH about 6.5 (neutral).

Did spring come early in South Hero, VT in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 05486 came on Apr 17 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Apr 18), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in South Hero, VT?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 05486 is 15 h 34 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 05486 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 05486 in zone 5a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 5b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.