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

Planting zone for 05857 — Newport Center, VT

ZIP code 05857 (Newport Center, Orleans County) is in USDA zone 4b: the coldest winter night averages −25 to −20 °F. The median last spring frost is May 14 and the first fall frost September 30.

Where ZIP 05857 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 14
First frostSep 30
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 Newport Center, 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 Newport Center, VT

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 14median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 28only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostSeptember 30median — 10% chance by Sep 17
Growing season138 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 1 and returns around October 10.

From the NOAA station Newport, VT — 6 miles away, elevation 791 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 05857

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Apr 2 – Apr 16
SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 2 – Apr 23
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 5 – Mar 19
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 23 – May 7
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 16 – Apr 30
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 23 – May 7
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 16 – Apr 30
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 23 – May 7
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 19 – Apr 2
TomatoesTransplant · May 21 – Jun 4
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 5 – Mar 19
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 28 – Jun 11
BeansSow outdoors · May 21 – Jun 4
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 21 – Jun 4
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 21 – Jun 4
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 5 – Aug 19
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 16 – Oct 21
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 14) and first fall frost (Sep 30) 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 05857 came on Apr 19 — 7 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 Newport Center, VT.

Soil in Newport Center, VT

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 05857 is Colonel — highly decomposed plant material, somewhat poorly drained.

TextureHighly decomposed plant materialtop layer
pH5.0strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageSomewhat poorly drainedconsider raised beds
Organic matter85%high
Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Colonel-Cabot complex, 3 to 8 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 05857; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Newport Center, VT

Summer high78 °Faverage high, July
Winter low4 °Faverage low, January
Hot days3days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights171nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days1,880base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 36 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day8 h 46 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation43.8 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall99 inper year; 119 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

−10°0°10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°32 °FJanuary: average high 23 °F, low 4 °F 23°4° JanFebruary: average high 27 °F, low 5 °F 27°5° FebMarch: average high 37 °F, low 15 °F 37°15° MarApril: average high 51 °F, low 29 °F 51°29° AprMay: average high 65 °F, low 42 °F 65°42° MayJune: average high 73 °F, low 52 °F 73°52° JunJuly: average high 78 °F, low 57 °F 78°57° JulAugust: average high 76 °F, low 55 °F 76°55° AugSeptember: average high 69 °F, low 47 °F 69°47° SepOctober: average high 55 °F, low 36 °F 55°36° OctNovember: average high 41 °F, low 25 °F 41°25° NovDecember: average high 29 °F, low 14 °F 29°14° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 2.83 in precipitation, 21.5 in snowfall 2.8❄22 JanFebruary: 2.44 in precipitation, 20.2 in snowfall 2.4❄20 FebMarch: 2.83 in precipitation, 19.4 in snowfall 2.8❄19 MarApril: 3.34 in precipitation, 4.5 in snowfall 3.3❄5 AprMay: 3.94 in precipitation 3.9 MayJune: 4.52 in precipitation 4.5 JunJuly: 4.54 in precipitation 4.5 JulAugust: 4.42 in precipitation 4.4 AugSeptember: 3.93 in precipitation 3.9 SepOctober: 4.29 in precipitation, 0.8 in snowfall 4.3❄1 OctNovember: 3.35 in precipitation, 7 in snowfall 3.4❄7 NovDecember: 3.40 in precipitation, 25.2 in snowfall 3.4❄25 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Newport, VT (6 mi away); precipitation: Newport, VT (6 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

1 of the 8 nearest ZIP codes are in a different zone — elevation and distance from water change winter lows quickly.

058684b
Troy, VT · 2 mi
058254b
Coventry, VT · 6 mi
058554b
Newport, VT · 6 mi
058594b
North Troy, VT · 6 mi
058454b
Irasburg, VT · 9 mi
058745a
Westfield, VT · 9 mi
058234b
Beebe Plain, VT · 10 mi
058474b
Lowell, VT · 12 mi

Vermont planting zones →

Questions about 05857

What planting zone is ZIP code 05857?

ZIP code 05857 (Newport Center, 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 Newport Center, VT?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 05857 is May 14; after May 28 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Newport station.

When is the first frost in Newport Center, VT?

The median first fall frost near 05857 is September 30, giving a median frost-free growing season of 138 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 05857?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 19 – Apr 2 and set transplants outside around May 21 – Jun 4, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 05857 get?

About 43.8 inches of precipitation a year and 99 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Newport station).

How hot do summers get in Newport Center, VT?

The average high peaks at 78 °F in July, with about 3 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 05857 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Colonel at the center of ZIP 05857: highly decomposed plant material, somewhat poorly drained, pH about 5.0 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Newport Center, VT in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 05857 came on Apr 19 in 2026, 7 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 26), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Newport Center, VT?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 05857 is 15 h 36 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 05857 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 05857 in zone 4a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 4b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.