Data: 2023 USDA zones (PRISM/OSU) · NOAA 1991–2020 normals · updated Oct 30, 2026

Planting zone for 05862 — Peacham, VT

ZIP code 05862 (Peacham, Caledonia County) is in USDA zone 4b: the coldest winter night averages −25 to −20 °F. The median last spring frost is May 25 and the first fall frost September 22.

Where ZIP 05862 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 25

First frostSep 22

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 Peacham, 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 Peacham, VT

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free

Last spring frostMay 25median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsJune 7only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostSeptember 22median — 10% chance by Sep 9

Growing season119 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 11 and returns around October 2.

From the NOAA station Plainfield, VT — 11 miles away, elevation 801 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 05862

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Apr 13 – Apr 27

SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 13 – May 4

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 16 – Mar 30

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · May 4 – May 18

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 27 – May 11

PotatoesPlant outdoors · May 4 – May 18

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 27 – May 11

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · May 4 – May 18

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 30 – Apr 13

TomatoesTransplant · Jun 1 – Jun 15

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 16 – Mar 30

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Jun 8 – Jun 22

BeansSow outdoors · Jun 1 – Jun 15

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Jun 1 – Jun 15

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Jun 1 – Jun 15

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Jul 28 – Aug 11

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 8 – Oct 13

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 25) and first fall frost (Sep 22) 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 05862 came on Apr 19 — 9 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 28).

average
Apr 282026
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 Peacham, VT.

Soil in Peacham, VT

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 05862 is Peru — moderately decomposed plant material, moderately well drained.

TextureModerately decomposed plant materialtop layer

pH4.9strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageModerately well drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter80%high

Hydrologic groupC/Dslow when drained; wet otherwise

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Peru fine sandy loam, 15 to 35 percent slopes, extremely bouldery.

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 05862; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Peacham, VT

Summer high80 °Faverage high, July

Winter low3 °Faverage low, January

Hot days7days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights183nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days1,743base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 32 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day8 h 51 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation41 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: Plainfield, VT (11 mi away); precipitation: Plainfield, VT (11 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 4b.

058214b

Barnet, VT · 5 mi

058734b

West Danville, VT · 6 mi

050464b

Groton, VT · 6 mi

050424b

East Ryegate, VT · 7 mi

056474b

Cabot, VT · 7 mi

056584b

Marshfield, VT · 8 mi

050504b

Mc Indoe Falls, VT · 8 mi

058284b

Danville, VT · 9 mi

Vermont planting zones →

Questions about 05862

What planting zone is ZIP code 05862?

ZIP code 05862 (Peacham, 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 Peacham, VT?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 05862 is May 25; after June 7 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Plainfield station.

When is the first frost in Peacham, VT?

The median first fall frost near 05862 is September 22, giving a median frost-free growing season of 119 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 05862?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 30 – Apr 13 and set transplants outside around Jun 1 – Jun 15, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 05862 get?

About 41 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Plainfield station).

How hot do summers get in Peacham, 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 05862 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Peru at the center of ZIP 05862: moderately decomposed plant material, moderately well drained, pH about 4.9 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Peacham, VT in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 05862 came on Apr 19 in 2026, 9 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 28), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Peacham, VT?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 05862 is 15 h 32 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 05862 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 05862 in zone 4a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 4b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.