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

Planting zone for 05760 — Orwell, VT

ZIP code 05760 (Orwell, Addison 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 3.

Where ZIP 05760 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 3
2012 zone5a

Same zone as on the 2012 map. 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 Orwell, 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 Orwell, 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 20only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 3median — 10% chance by Sep 21
Growing season151 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 26 and returns around October 16.

From the NOAA station Cornwall, VT — 12 miles away, elevation 345 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 05760

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 8 – Aug 22
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 19 – Oct 24
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 5) and first fall frost (Oct 3) 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 05760 came on Apr 16 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (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 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 Orwell, VT.

Soil in Orwell, VT

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 05760 is Vergennes — clay, moderately well drained.

TextureClayholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up
pH5.9moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageModerately well drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter4%moderate
Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly
Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Vergennes clay, 2 to 6 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 05760; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Orwell, VT

Summer high80 °Faverage high, July
Winter low9 °Faverage low, January
Hot days7days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights155nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,295base 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)
Precipitation38.7 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall59 inper year; 78 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

0°10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°32 °FJanuary: average high 27 °F, low 9 °F 27°9° JanFebruary: average high 30 °F, low 10 °F 30°10° FebMarch: average high 40 °F, low 20 °F 40°20° MarApril: average high 54 °F, low 33 °F 54°33° AprMay: average high 67 °F, low 45 °F 67°45° MayJune: average high 76 °F, low 55 °F 76°55° JunJuly: average high 80 °F, low 60 °F 80°60° JulAugust: average high 79 °F, low 57 °F 79°57° AugSeptember: average high 71 °F, low 49 °F 71°49° SepOctober: average high 57 °F, low 38 °F 57°38° OctNovember: average high 44 °F, low 28 °F 44°28° NovDecember: average high 33 °F, low 18 °F 33°18° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 2.55 in precipitation, 13.3 in snowfall 2.5❄13 JanFebruary: 2.07 in precipitation, 13.3 in snowfall 2.1❄13 FebMarch: 2.42 in precipitation, 11.9 in snowfall 2.4❄12 MarApril: 3.35 in precipitation, 2.6 in snowfall 3.4❄3 AprMay: 3.37 in precipitation 3.4 MayJune: 4.21 in precipitation 4.2 JunJuly: 4.09 in precipitation 4.1 JulAugust: 3.53 in precipitation 3.5 AugSeptember: 3.25 in precipitation 3.3 SepOctober: 3.96 in precipitation, 0.3 in snowfall 4.0 OctNovember: 2.85 in precipitation, 3.8 in snowfall 2.9❄4 NovDecember: 3.02 in precipitation, 13.4 in snowfall 3.0❄13 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Cornwall, VT (12 mi away); precipitation: Cornwall, VT (12 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 5a.

057315a
Benson, VT · 3 mi
057785a
Whiting, VT · 6 mi
057705a
Shoreham, VT · 7 mi
128615a
Putnam Station, NY · 7 mi
057435a
Fair Haven, VT · 9 mi
057335a
Brandon, VT · 10 mi
057325a
Bomoseen, VT · 11 mi
057455a
Forest Dale, VT · 12 mi

Vermont planting zones →

Questions about 05760

What planting zone is ZIP code 05760?

ZIP code 05760 (Orwell, 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 Orwell, VT?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 05760 is May 5; after May 20 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Cornwall station.

When is the first frost in Orwell, VT?

The median first fall frost near 05760 is October 3, giving a median frost-free growing season of 151 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 05760?

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 05760 get?

About 38.7 inches of precipitation a year and 59 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Cornwall station).

How hot do summers get in Orwell, VT?

The average high peaks at 80 °F in July, with about 7 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 05760 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Vergennes at the center of ZIP 05760: clay, moderately well drained, pH about 5.9 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Orwell, VT in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 05760 came on Apr 16 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Apr 18), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Orwell, VT?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 05760 is 15 h 28 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).