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

Planting zone for 05641 — Barre, VT

ZIP code 05641 (Barre, Washington County) is in USDA zone 5a: the coldest winter night averages −20 to −15 °F. The median last spring frost is May 16 and the first fall frost September 29.

Where ZIP 05641 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 16

First frostSep 29

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 Barre, 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 Barre, 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 — 6 miles away, 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 05641

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 05641 came on Apr 16 — 9 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 25).

average
Apr 252026
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).

Soil in Barre, VT

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 05641 is Cabot — slightly decomposed plant material, poorly drained.

TextureSlightly decomposed plant materialtop layer

pH4.3strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainagePoorly drainedconsider raised beds

Organic matter85%high

Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Cabot silt loam, 0 to 8 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 05641; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Barre, 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

Precipitation by month inches

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Barre Montpelier Airport, VT (6 mi away); precipitation: Barre Montpelier Airport, VT (6 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

056785a

Websterville, VT · 2 mi

056545a

Graniteville, VT · 4 mi

056495a

East Barre, VT · 5 mi

056014b

Montpelier, VT · 5 mi

056795a

Williamstown, VT · 7 mi

056514b

East Montpelier, VT · 7 mi

056675a

Plainfield, VT · 7 mi

056755a

Washington, VT · 8 mi

Vermont planting zones →

Questions about 05641

What planting zone is ZIP code 05641?

ZIP code 05641 (Barre, 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 Barre, VT?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 05641 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 Barre, VT?

The median first fall frost near 05641 is September 29, giving a median frost-free growing season of 136 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 05641?

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 05641 get?

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

How hot do summers get in Barre, 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 05641 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Cabot at the center of ZIP 05641: slightly decomposed plant material, poorly drained, pH about 4.3 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Barre, VT in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 05641 came on Apr 16 in 2026, 9 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 25), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Barre, VT?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 05641 is 15 h 31 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 05641 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 05641 in zone 4b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 5a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.