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

Planting zone for 05676 — Waterbury, VT

ZIP code 05676 (Waterbury, Washington County) is in USDA zone 5a: the coldest winter night averages −20 to −15 °F. The median last spring frost is May 11 and the first fall frost October 1.

Where ZIP 05676 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 11

First frostOct 1

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 Waterbury, 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 Waterbury, VT

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMay 11median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 27only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 1median — 10% chance by Sep 18

Growing season142 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 29 and returns around October 13.

From the NOAA station Waitsfield 2 Se, VT — 9 miles away, elevation 1,142 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 05676

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 30 – Apr 13

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 30 – Apr 20

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 2 – Mar 16

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 20 – May 4

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 13 – Apr 27

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 20 – May 4

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 13 – Apr 27

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 20 – May 4

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 16 – Mar 30

TomatoesTransplant · May 18 – Jun 1

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 2 – Mar 16

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 25 – Jun 8

BeansSow outdoors · May 18 – Jun 1

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 18 – Jun 1

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 18 – Jun 1

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 6 – Aug 20

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 17 – Oct 22

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 11) and first fall frost (Oct 1) 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 05676 came on Apr 17 — 12 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 29).

average
Apr 292026
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 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.

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 Waterbury, VT.

Soil in Waterbury, VT

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 05676 is Hogback — slightly decomposed plant material, well drained.

TextureSlightly decomposed plant materialtop layer

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

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter85%high

Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Hogback-Rawsonville complex, 15 to 35 percent slopes, very 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 05676; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Waterbury, VT

Summer high77 °Faverage high, July

Winter low10 °Faverage low, January

Hot days1days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights167nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days1,836base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 32 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)

Precipitation50.7 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: Waitsfield 2 Se, VT (9 mi away); precipitation: Waterbury 3.0 Nw, VT (5 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 5a.

056605a

Moretown, VT · 5 mi

054625a

Huntington, VT · 5 mi

056735a

Waitsfield, VT · 7 mi

054665a

Jonesville, VT · 7 mi

054775a

Richmond, VT · 9 mi

054875a

Starksboro, VT · 9 mi

056775a

Waterbury Center, VT · 10 mi

056025a

Montpelier, VT · 11 mi

Vermont planting zones →

Questions about 05676

What planting zone is ZIP code 05676?

ZIP code 05676 (Waterbury, 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 Waterbury, VT?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 05676 is May 11; after May 27 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Waitsfield 2 Se station.

When is the first frost in Waterbury, VT?

The median first fall frost near 05676 is October 1, giving a median frost-free growing season of 142 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 05676?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 16 – Mar 30 and set transplants outside around May 18 – Jun 1, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 05676 get?

About 50.7 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Waterbury 3.0 Nw station).

How hot do summers get in Waterbury, VT?

The average high peaks at 77 °F in July, with about 1 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 05676 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Hogback at the center of ZIP 05676: slightly decomposed plant material, well drained, pH about 4.3 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Waterbury, VT in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 05676 came on Apr 17 in 2026, 12 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 29), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Waterbury, VT?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 05676 is 15 h 32 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 05676 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 05676 in zone 4b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 5a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.