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

Planting zone for 05745 — Forest Dale, VT

ZIP code 05745 (Forest Dale, Rutland County) is in USDA zone 5a: the coldest winter night averages −20 to −15 °F. The median last spring frost is May 21 and the first fall frost September 26.

Where ZIP 05745 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.

Zone5a−20 to −15 °F

Coldest night−28.9 to −26.1 °C

Last frostMay 21

First frostSep 26

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 Forest Dale, 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 Forest Dale, VT

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMay 21median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsJune 7only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostSeptember 26median — 10% chance by Sep 13

Growing season127 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 7 and returns around October 6.

From the NOAA station Salisbury 2 N, VT — 7 miles away, elevation 420 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 05745

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Apr 9 – Apr 23

SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 9 – Apr 30

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 12 – Mar 26

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 30 – May 14

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 23 – May 7

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 30 – May 14

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 23 – May 7

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 30 – May 14

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 26 – Apr 9

TomatoesTransplant · May 28 – Jun 11

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 12 – Mar 26

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Jun 4 – Jun 18

BeansSow outdoors · May 28 – Jun 11

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 28 – Jun 11

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 28 – Jun 11

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 1 – Aug 15

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 12 – Oct 17

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 21) and first fall frost (Sep 26) 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 05745 came on Apr 16 — 6 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 22).

average
Apr 222026
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 Forest Dale, VT

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 05745 is Hinckley — gravelly loamy fine sand, excessively drained.

TextureGravelly loamy fine sanddrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

pH4.8strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageExcessively drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter4.5%moderate

Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast

Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Hinckley gravelly loamy fine sand, 0 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 05745; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Forest Dale, VT

Summer high84 °Faverage high, July

Winter low9 °Faverage low, January

Hot days11days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights168nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,361base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 28 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day8 h 54 mindaylight on December 21

Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)

Precipitation41.2 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall73 inper year; 91 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Salisbury 2 N, VT (7 mi away); precipitation: Salisbury 2 N, VT (7 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 5a.

Chittenden, VT · 9 mi

East Middlebury, VT · 10 mi

Vermont planting zones →

Questions about 05745

What planting zone is ZIP code 05745?

ZIP code 05745 (Forest Dale, 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 Forest Dale, VT?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 05745 is May 21; after June 7 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Salisbury 2 N station.

When is the first frost in Forest Dale, VT?

The median first fall frost near 05745 is September 26, giving a median frost-free growing season of 127 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 05745?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 26 – Apr 9 and set transplants outside around May 28 – Jun 11, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 05745 get?

About 41.2 inches of precipitation a year and 73 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Salisbury 2 N station).

How hot do summers get in Forest Dale, VT?

The average high peaks at 84 °F in July, with about 11 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 05745 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Hinckley at the center of ZIP 05745: gravelly loamy fine sand, excessively drained, pH about 4.8 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Forest Dale, VT in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 05745 came on Apr 16 in 2026, 6 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 22), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Forest Dale, VT?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 05745 is 15 h 28 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 05745 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 05745 in zone 4b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 5a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.