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

Planting zone for 05871 — West Burke, VT

ZIP code 05871 (West Burke, Caledonia County) is in USDA zone 4b: the coldest winter night averages −25 to −20 °F. The median last spring frost is June 1 and the first fall frost September 13.

Where ZIP 05871 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 frostJun 1

First frostSep 13

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 West Burke, 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 West Burke, VT

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostJune 1median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsJune 15only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostSeptember 13median — 10% chance by Aug 30

Growing season103 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 21 and returns around September 27.

From the NOAA station Sutton 2ne, VT — 4 miles away, elevation 1,001 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 05871

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Apr 20 – May 4

SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 20 – May 11

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 23 – Apr 6

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · May 11 – May 25

Onion setsPlant outdoors · May 4 – May 18

PotatoesPlant outdoors · May 11 – May 25

LettuceSow outdoors · May 4 – May 18

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · May 11 – May 25

TomatoesStart indoors · Apr 6 – Apr 20

TomatoesTransplant · Jun 8 – Jun 22

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 23 – Apr 6

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Jun 15 – Jun 29

BeansSow outdoors · Jun 8 – Jun 22

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Jun 8 – Jun 22

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Jun 8 – Jun 22

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Jul 19 – Aug 2

GarlicPlant cloves · Aug 30 – Oct 4

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Jun 1) and first fall frost (Sep 13) 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 05871 came on Apr 26 — 4 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 30).

average
Apr 302026
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.

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 West Burke, VT.

Soil in West Burke, VT

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 05871 is Vershire — very fine sandy loam, well drained.

TextureVery fine sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

pH5.2strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter5%high

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Vershire-Lombard complex, 8 to 15 percent slopes, rocky.

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 05871; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in West Burke, VT

Summer high77 °Faverage high, July

Winter low−1 °Faverage low, January

Hot days3days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights209nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days1,414base 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)

Precipitation46 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall114 inper year; 133 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Sutton 2ne, VT (4 mi away); precipitation: Sutton 2ne, VT (4 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

058674b

Sutton, VT · 4 mi

058324b

East Burke, VT · 7 mi

058374b

East Haven, VT · 7 mi

058664b

Sheffield, VT · 8 mi

058504b

Lyndon Center, VT · 9 mi

058514b

Lyndonville, VT · 11 mi

058334a

East Charleston, VT · 11 mi

058464a

Island Pond, VT · 11 mi

Vermont planting zones →

Questions about 05871

What planting zone is ZIP code 05871?

ZIP code 05871 (West Burke, 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 West Burke, VT?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 05871 is June 1; after June 15 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Sutton 2ne station.

When is the first frost in West Burke, VT?

The median first fall frost near 05871 is September 13, giving a median frost-free growing season of 103 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 05871?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Apr 6 – Apr 20 and set transplants outside around Jun 8 – Jun 22, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 05871 get?

About 46 inches of precipitation a year and 114 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Sutton 2ne station).

How hot do summers get in West Burke, VT?

The average high peaks at 77 °F in July, with about 3 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 05871 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Vershire at the center of ZIP 05871: very fine sandy loam, well drained, pH about 5.2 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in West Burke, VT in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 05871 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 West Burke, VT?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 05871 is 15 h 34 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 05871 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 05871 in zone 4a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 4b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.