Planting zone for 05833 — East Charleston, VT
ZIP code 05833 (East Charleston, Orleans County) is in USDA zone 4a: the coldest winter night averages −30 to −25 °F. The median last spring frost is May 19 and the first fall frost September 29.
Where ZIP 05833 is
Outlined: the ZIP code area · tap the map for the zone at any spot · scroll or pinch to zoomNot 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.
Was 3b 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 4a means →
Frost forecast — next 7 nights
live from the National Weather ServiceLoading the forecast for East Charleston, 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 East Charleston, VT
A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 5 and returns around October 9.
From the NOAA station Island Pond, VT — 4 miles away, elevation 1,201 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 05833
Counted from the median last spring frost (May 19) and first fall frost (Sep 29) 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 05833 came on Apr 26 — 4 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 30).
Apr 302026
Apr 26
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 4a in Vermont
379 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Vermont, and rated by the USDA to survive −30 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 4a. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.
Trees 46
Shrubs 67
Wildflowers & perennials 133
Grasses 120
Vines 4
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 East Charleston, VT.
Soil in East Charleston, VT
The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 05833 is Tunbridge — moderately decomposed plant material, well drained.
Map unit: Tunbridge-Peru complex, 8 to 15 percent slopes, very stony.
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 05833; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.
Climate in East Charleston, VT
Average high and low, by month
Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall
NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Island Pond, VT (4 mi away); precipitation: Island Pond, VT (4 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.
Nearby ZIP codes
3 of the 8 nearest ZIP codes are in a different zone — elevation and distance from water change winter lows quickly.
Questions about 05833
What planting zone is ZIP code 05833?
ZIP code 05833 (East Charleston, VT) is in USDA hardiness zone 4a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −30 to −25 °F (−34.4 to −31.7 °C).
When is the last frost in East Charleston, VT?
The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 05833 is May 19; after June 3 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Island Pond station.
When is the first frost in East Charleston, VT?
The median first fall frost near 05833 is September 29, giving a median frost-free growing season of 129 days.
When should I plant tomatoes in 05833?
Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 24 – Apr 7 and set transplants outside around May 26 – Jun 9, one to three weeks after the median last frost.
How much rain and snow does 05833 get?
About 44.9 inches of precipitation a year and 115 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Island Pond station).
How hot do summers get in East Charleston, VT?
The average high peaks at 76 °F in July, with about 1 days a year at 90 °F or more.
What kind of soil does 05833 have?
The USDA soil survey maps Tunbridge at the center of ZIP 05833: moderately decomposed plant material, well drained, pH about 3.5 (strongly acidic).
Did spring come early in East Charleston, VT in 2026?
Spring leaf-out near 05833 came on Apr 26 in 2026, 4 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 30), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.
What kind of onions grow in East Charleston, VT?
Long-day onions: the longest day near 05833 is 15 h 36 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).
Did the zone for 05833 change?
Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 05833 in zone 3b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 4a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.