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

Planting zone for 05602 — Montpelier, VT

ZIP code 05602 (Montpelier, Washington County) is in USDA zone 5a: the coldest winter night averages −20 to −15 °F. The median last spring frost is May 5 and the first fall frost October 9.

Where ZIP 05602 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.

Zone5a−20 to −15 °F
Coldest night−28.9 to −26.1 °C
Last frostMay 5
First frostOct 9
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 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 5median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 21only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 9median — 10% chance by Sep 28
Growing season157 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 24 and returns around October 21.

From the NOAA station Montpelier 2, VT — 3 miles away, elevation 532 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 05602

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 24 – Apr 7
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 24 – Apr 14
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 24 – Mar 10
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 14 – Apr 28
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 7 – Apr 21
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 14 – Apr 28
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 7 – Apr 21
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 14 – Apr 28
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 10 – Mar 24
TomatoesTransplant · May 12 – May 26
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 24 – Mar 10
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 19 – Jun 2
BeansSow outdoors · May 12 – May 26
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 12 – May 26
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 12 – May 26
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 14 – Aug 28
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 25 – Oct 30
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 5) and first fall frost (Oct 9) 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 05602 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 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.

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 92

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 162

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 139

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 6

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 °Fsummer grape30 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −23 °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 05602 is Peru — moderately decomposed plant material, moderately well drained.

TextureModerately decomposed plant materialtop layer
pH4.9strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageModerately well drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter80%high
Hydrologic groupC/Dslow when drained; wet otherwise
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Peru fine sandy loam, 15 to 35 percent slopes, very stony.

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 05602; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Montpelier, VT

Summer high82 °Faverage high, July
Winter low7 °Faverage low, January
Hot days13days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights168nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,349base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 31 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day8 h 51 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation41.4 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 28 °F, low 7 °F 28°7° JanFebruary: average high 31 °F, low 9 °F 31°9° FebMarch: average high 40 °F, low 18 °F 40°18° MarApril: average high 53 °F, low 32 °F 53°32° AprMay: average high 67 °F, low 44 °F 67°44° MayJune: average high 77 °F, low 54 °F 77°54° JunJuly: average high 82 °F, low 59 °F 82°59° JulAugust: average high 80 °F, low 57 °F 80°57° AugSeptember: average high 73 °F, low 50 °F 73°50° SepOctober: average high 58 °F, low 38 °F 58°38° OctNovember: average high 45 °F, low 28 °F 45°28° NovDecember: average high 33 °F, low 17 °F 33°17° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 2.76 in precipitation 2.8 JanFebruary: 2.43 in precipitation 2.4 FebMarch: 2.60 in precipitation 2.6 MarApril: 3.30 in precipitation 3.3 AprMay: 4.41 in precipitation 4.4 MayJune: 4.39 in precipitation 4.4 JunJuly: 4.64 in precipitation 4.6 JulAugust: 3.86 in precipitation 3.9 AugSeptember: 3.09 in precipitation 3.1 SepOctober: 3.67 in precipitation 3.7 OctNovember: 2.93 in precipitation 2.9 NovDecember: 3.27 in precipitation 3.3 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Montpelier 2, VT (3 mi away); precipitation: Montpelier 2, VT (3 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

056044b
Montpelier, VT · 3 mi
056094b
Montpelier, VT · 3 mi
056204b
Montpelier, VT · 3 mi
056334b
Montpelier, VT · 3 mi
056034b
Montpelier, VT · 3 mi
056514b
East Montpelier, VT · 7 mi
056405a
Adamant, VT · 7 mi
056014b
Montpelier, VT · 7 mi

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

Questions about 05602

What planting zone is ZIP code 05602?

ZIP code 05602 (Montpelier, 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 Montpelier, VT?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 05602 is May 5; after May 21 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Montpelier 2 station.

When is the first frost in Montpelier, VT?

The median first fall frost near 05602 is October 9, giving a median frost-free growing season of 157 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 05602?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 10 – Mar 24 and set transplants outside around May 12 – May 26, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 05602 get?

About 41.4 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Montpelier 2 station).

How hot do summers get in Montpelier, VT?

The average high peaks at 82 °F in July, with about 13 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 05602 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Peru at the center of ZIP 05602: moderately decomposed plant material, moderately well drained, pH about 4.9 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Montpelier, VT in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 05602 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 05602 is 15 h 31 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 05602 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 05602 in zone 4b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 5a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.