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

Planting zone for 05838 — East Saint Johnsbury, VT

ZIP code 05838 (East Saint Johnsbury, Caledonia County) is in USDA zone 4b: the coldest winter night averages −25 to −20 °F. The median last spring frost is May 13 and the first fall frost October 3.

Where ZIP 05838 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.

Zone4b−25 to −20 °F
Coldest night−31.7 to −28.9 °C
Last frostMay 13
First frostOct 3
2012 zone4b

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 4b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for East Saint Johnsbury, 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 Saint Johnsbury, VT

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 13median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 25only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 3median — 10% chance by Sep 21
Growing season143 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 1 and returns around October 13.

From the NOAA station Saint Johnsbury, VT — 4 miles away, elevation 699 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 05838

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Apr 1 – Apr 15
SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 1 – Apr 22
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 4 – Mar 18
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 22 – May 6
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 15 – Apr 29
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 22 – May 6
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 15 – Apr 29
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 22 – May 6
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 18 – Apr 1
TomatoesTransplant · May 20 – Jun 3
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 4 – Mar 18
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 27 – Jun 10
BeansSow outdoors · May 20 – Jun 3
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 20 – Jun 3
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 20 – Jun 3
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 13) 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 05838 came on Apr 18 — 8 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 26).

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.

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 83

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 151

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 133

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 5

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 °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 East Saint Johnsbury, VT.

Soil in East Saint Johnsbury, VT

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 05838 is Dummerston — very fine sandy loam, well drained.

TextureVery fine sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH6.2slightly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter4%moderate
Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately
Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Dummerston very fine sandy loam, 8 to 15 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 05838; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in East Saint Johnsbury, VT

Summer high81 °Faverage high, July
Winter low9 °Faverage low, January
Hot days6days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights162nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,343base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 33 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day8 h 50 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation40.3 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall87 inper year; 109 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 28 °F, low 9 °F 28°9° JanFebruary: average high 33 °F, low 10 °F 33°10° FebMarch: average high 42 °F, low 20 °F 42°20° MarApril: average high 57 °F, low 32 °F 57°32° AprMay: average high 70 °F, low 44 °F 70°44° MayJune: average high 78 °F, low 53 °F 78°53° JunJuly: average high 81 °F, low 58 °F 81°58° JulAugust: average high 79 °F, low 57 °F 79°57° AugSeptember: average high 72 °F, low 49 °F 72°49° SepOctober: average high 59 °F, low 38 °F 59°38° OctNovember: average high 45 °F, low 28 °F 45°28° NovDecember: average high 33 °F, low 17 °F 33°17° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 2.66 in precipitation, 19.9 in snowfall 2.7❄20 JanFebruary: 2.21 in precipitation, 19.9 in snowfall 2.2❄20 FebMarch: 2.47 in precipitation, 15.8 in snowfall 2.5❄16 MarApril: 3.15 in precipitation, 4.7 in snowfall 3.1❄5 AprMay: 3.76 in precipitation, 0.1 in snowfall 3.8 MayJune: 4.06 in precipitation 4.1 JunJuly: 4.53 in precipitation 4.5 JulAugust: 3.94 in precipitation 3.9 AugSeptember: 3.37 in precipitation 3.4 SepOctober: 3.95 in precipitation, 0.5 in snowfall 4.0❄1 OctNovember: 3.02 in precipitation, 5.9 in snowfall 3.0❄6 NovDecember: 3.18 in precipitation, 20.4 in snowfall 3.2❄20 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Saint Johnsbury, VT (4 mi away); precipitation: Saint Johnsbury, VT (4 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 4b.

058194b
Saint Johnsbury, VT · 3 mi
058634b
Saint Johnsbury Center, VT · 4 mi
058494b
Lyndon, VT · 4 mi
058484b
Lower Waterford, VT · 4 mi
058614b
Passumpsic, VT · 6 mi
058244b
Concord, VT · 6 mi
058284b
Danville, VT · 9 mi
058514b
Lyndonville, VT · 9 mi

Vermont planting zones →

Questions about 05838

What planting zone is ZIP code 05838?

ZIP code 05838 (East Saint Johnsbury, 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 East Saint Johnsbury, VT?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 05838 is May 13; after May 25 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Saint Johnsbury station.

When is the first frost in East Saint Johnsbury, VT?

The median first fall frost near 05838 is October 3, giving a median frost-free growing season of 143 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 05838?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 18 – Apr 1 and set transplants outside around May 20 – Jun 3, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 05838 get?

About 40.3 inches of precipitation a year and 87 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Saint Johnsbury station).

How hot do summers get in East Saint Johnsbury, VT?

The average high peaks at 81 °F in July, with about 6 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 05838 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Dummerston at the center of ZIP 05838: very fine sandy loam, well drained, pH about 6.2 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in East Saint Johnsbury, VT in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 05838 came on Apr 18 in 2026, 8 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 26), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in East Saint Johnsbury, VT?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 05838 is 15 h 33 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).