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

Planting zone for 05601 — Montpelier, VT

ZIP code 05601 (Montpelier, Washington County) is in USDA zone 4b: the coldest winter night averages −25 to −20 °F. The median last spring frost is May 16 and the first fall frost September 29.

Where ZIP 05601 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.

Zone4b−25 to −20 °F
Coldest night−31.7 to −28.9 °C
Last frostMay 16
First frostSep 29
2012 zone4b

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 4b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Montpelier, 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 Montpelier, VT

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 16median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 30only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostSeptember 29median — 10% chance by Sep 16
Growing season136 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 3 and returns around October 9.

From the NOAA station Barre Montpelier Airport, VT — within 1 mile, elevation 1,125 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 05601

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Apr 4 – Apr 18
SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 4 – Apr 25
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 7 – Mar 21
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 25 – May 9
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 18 – May 2
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 25 – May 9
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 18 – May 2
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 25 – May 9
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 21 – Apr 4
TomatoesTransplant · May 23 – Jun 6
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 7 – Mar 21
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 30 – Jun 13
BeansSow outdoors · May 23 – Jun 6
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 23 – Jun 6
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 23 – Jun 6
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 4 – Aug 18
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 15 – Oct 20
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 16) and first fall frost (Sep 29) 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 05601 came on Apr 16 — 8 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 24).

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.

Trees 49

American basswood100 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican beech80 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −44 °FAmerican chestnut115 ft · blooms early summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican elm120 ft · blooms early spring · medium shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican sycamore100 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −34 °Farborvitae50 ft · blooms mid spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °F

Shrubs 83

alderleaf buckthorn3 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −33 °FAllegheny serviceberry35 ft · blooms early spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Falternateleaf dogwood25 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −47 °FAmerican black currant3 ft · blooms early spring · to −46 °FAmerican hazelnut10 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican hornbeam30 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −34 °F

Wildflowers & perennials 151

alpine bistort1 ft · blooms mid spring · high shade tolerance · to −38 °Falpine sweetvetch2 ft · blooms early summer · high shade tolerance · to −62 °FAmerican bur-reed3 ft · blooms indeterminate · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican eelgrass1 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican pokeweed7 ft · blooms mid summer · low shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican speedwell0.8 ft · blooms mid summer · low shade tolerance · to −38 °F

Grasses 133

American beachgrass2.5 ft · blooms spring · high shade tolerance · to −28 °Farctic brome3 ft · blooms early summer · low shade tolerance · to −33 °Fawlfruit sedge4 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °FBailey's sedge2.1 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −33 °FBebb's sedge3 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °FBicknell's sedge3 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °F

Vines 5

American bittersweet15 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Fdevil's darning needles15 ft · blooms mid summer · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °Friverbank grape45 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °Ftrumpet honeysuckle16 ft · blooms late summer · low shade tolerance · to −33 °FVirginia creeper1 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −28 °F

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 Montpelier, VT.

Soil in Montpelier, VT

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 05601 is Vershire — very fine sandy loam, well drained.

TextureVery fine sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH5.5moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter2.5%moderate
Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly
Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Vershire-Dummerston complex, 3 to 8 percent slopes, rocky.

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 05601; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Montpelier, VT

Summer high78 °Faverage high, July
Winter low7 °Faverage low, January
Hot days2days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights169nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days1,821base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 31 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)
Precipitation38.7 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

0°10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°32 °FJanuary: average high 26 °F, low 7 °F 26°7° JanFebruary: average high 29 °F, low 9 °F 29°9° FebMarch: average high 38 °F, low 18 °F 38°18° MarApril: average high 52 °F, low 30 °F 52°30° AprMay: average high 65 °F, low 42 °F 65°42° MayJune: average high 73 °F, low 51 °F 73°51° JunJuly: average high 78 °F, low 56 °F 78°56° JulAugust: average high 76 °F, low 54 °F 76°54° AugSeptember: average high 69 °F, low 46 °F 69°46° SepOctober: average high 55 °F, low 36 °F 55°36° OctNovember: average high 43 °F, low 26 °F 43°26° NovDecember: average high 31 °F, low 15 °F 31°15° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 2.32 in precipitation 2.3 JanFebruary: 2.06 in precipitation 2.1 FebMarch: 2.49 in precipitation 2.5 MarApril: 3.04 in precipitation 3.0 AprMay: 3.52 in precipitation 3.5 MayJune: 4.21 in precipitation 4.2 JunJuly: 4.27 in precipitation 4.3 JulAugust: 3.81 in precipitation 3.8 AugSeptember: 3.33 in precipitation 3.3 SepOctober: 3.87 in precipitation 3.9 OctNovember: 2.85 in precipitation 2.9 NovDecember: 2.93 in precipitation 2.9 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Barre Montpelier Airport, VT (within 1 mile); precipitation: Barre Montpelier Airport, VT (within 1 mile). 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.

056034b
Montpelier, VT · 4 mi
056044b
Montpelier, VT · 4 mi
056094b
Montpelier, VT · 4 mi
056204b
Montpelier, VT · 4 mi
056334b
Montpelier, VT · 4 mi
056785a
Websterville, VT · 5 mi
056645a
Northfield Falls, VT · 5 mi
056415a
Barre, VT · 5 mi

All 7 ZIP codes in Montpelier → · Vermont planting zones →

Questions about 05601

What planting zone is ZIP code 05601?

ZIP code 05601 (Montpelier, 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 Montpelier, VT?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 05601 is May 16; after May 30 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Barre Montpelier Airport station.

When is the first frost in Montpelier, VT?

The median first fall frost near 05601 is September 29, giving a median frost-free growing season of 136 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 05601?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 21 – Apr 4 and set transplants outside around May 23 – Jun 6, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 05601 get?

About 38.7 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Barre Montpelier Airport station).

How hot do summers get in Montpelier, VT?

The average high peaks at 78 °F in July, with about 2 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 05601 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Vershire at the center of ZIP 05601: very fine sandy loam, well drained, pH about 5.5 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Montpelier, VT in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 05601 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 Montpelier, VT?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 05601 is 15 h 31 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).