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

Planting zone for 05657 — Lake Elmore, VT

ZIP code 05657 (Lake Elmore, Lamoille County) is in USDA zone 4b: the coldest winter night averages −25 to −20 °F. The median last spring frost is May 20 and the first fall frost September 28.

Where ZIP 05657 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 20

First frostSep 28

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 Lake Elmore, 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 Lake Elmore, VT

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMay 20median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsJune 4only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostSeptember 28median — 10% chance by Sep 14

Growing season129 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 7 and returns around October 7.

From the NOAA station Morrisville Stowe State Airport, VT — 4 miles away, elevation 732 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 05657

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Apr 8 – Apr 22

SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 8 – Apr 29

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 11 – Mar 25

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 29 – May 13

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 22 – May 6

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 29 – May 13

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 22 – May 6

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 29 – May 13

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 25 – Apr 8

TomatoesTransplant · May 27 – Jun 10

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 11 – Mar 25

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Jun 3 – Jun 17

BeansSow outdoors · May 27 – Jun 10

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 27 – Jun 10

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 27 – Jun 10

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 3 – Aug 17

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 14 – Oct 19

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 20) and first fall frost (Sep 28) 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 05657 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 Lake Elmore, VT.

Soil in Lake Elmore, VT

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 05657 is Berkshire — fine sandy loam, well drained.

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

pH6.0slightly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter5.5%high

Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately

Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Berkshire fine sandy loam, 3 to 8 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 05657; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Lake Elmore, VT

Summer high79 °Faverage high, July

Winter low5 °Faverage low, January

Hot days4days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights172nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days1,849base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 33 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)

Precipitation35.5 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: Morrisville Stowe State Airport, VT (4 mi away); precipitation: Morrisville Stowe State Airport, VT (4 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

056804b

Wolcott, VT · 3 mi

056614b

Morrisville, VT · 5 mi

056554b

Hyde Park, VT · 6 mi

058264b

Craftsbury, VT · 9 mi

North Hyde Park, VT · 10 mi

056725a

Stowe, VT · 10 mi

Vermont planting zones →

Questions about 05657

What planting zone is ZIP code 05657?

ZIP code 05657 (Lake Elmore, 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 Lake Elmore, VT?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 05657 is May 20; after June 4 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Morrisville Stowe State Airport station.

When is the first frost in Lake Elmore, VT?

The median first fall frost near 05657 is September 28, giving a median frost-free growing season of 129 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 05657?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 25 – Apr 8 and set transplants outside around May 27 – Jun 10, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 05657 get?

About 35.5 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Morrisville Stowe State Airport station).

How hot do summers get in Lake Elmore, VT?

The average high peaks at 79 °F in July, with about 4 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 05657 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Berkshire at the center of ZIP 05657: fine sandy loam, well drained, pH about 6.0 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in Lake Elmore, VT in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 05657 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 Lake Elmore, VT?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 05657 is 15 h 33 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 05657 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 05657 in zone 4a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 4b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.