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

Planting zone for 05826 — Craftsbury, VT

ZIP code 05826 (Craftsbury, Orleans County) is in USDA zone 4b: the coldest winter night averages −25 to −20 °F. The median last spring frost is May 5 and the first fall frost October 8.

Where ZIP 05826 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.

Zone4b−25 to −20 °F

Coldest night−31.7 to −28.9 °C

Last frostMay 5

First frostOct 8

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 Craftsbury, 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 Craftsbury, 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 8median — 10% chance by Sep 28

Growing season155 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 26 and returns around October 19.

From the NOAA station Eden 2 S, VT — 8 miles away, elevation 1,457 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 05826

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 13 – Aug 27

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 24 – Oct 29

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 5) and first fall frost (Oct 8) 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 05826 came on Apr 19 — 8 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 27).

average
Apr 272026
Apr 19

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 Craftsbury, VT.

Soil in Craftsbury, VT

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 05826 is Colton — slightly decomposed plant material, excessively drained.

TextureSlightly decomposed plant materialtop layer

pH4.5strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageExcessively drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter85%high

Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Colton-Duxbury complex, 15 to 25 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 05826; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Craftsbury, VT

Summer high75 °Faverage high, July

Winter low6 °Faverage low, January

Hot days0days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights165nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days1,855base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 34 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day8 h 48 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation47.4 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: Eden 2 S, VT (8 mi away); precipitation: Greensboro 2.1 Nnw, VT (5 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 4b.

058274b

Craftsbury Common, VT · 4 mi

058414b

Greensboro, VT · 6 mi

056534b

Eden Mills, VT · 6 mi

Greensboro Bend, VT · 9 mi

056574b

Lake Elmore, VT · 9 mi

Vermont planting zones →

Questions about 05826

What planting zone is ZIP code 05826?

ZIP code 05826 (Craftsbury, 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 Craftsbury, VT?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 05826 is May 5; after May 20 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Eden 2 S station.

When is the first frost in Craftsbury, VT?

The median first fall frost near 05826 is October 8, giving a median frost-free growing season of 155 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 05826?

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 05826 get?

About 47.4 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Greensboro 2.1 Nnw station).

How hot do summers get in Craftsbury, VT?

The average high peaks at 75 °F in July, with about 0 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 05826 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Colton at the center of ZIP 05826: slightly decomposed plant material, excessively drained, pH about 4.5 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Craftsbury, VT in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 05826 came on Apr 19 in 2026, 8 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 27), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Craftsbury, VT?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 05826 is 15 h 34 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 05826 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 05826 in zone 4a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 4b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.