Burlington, VT Frost Dates & Growing Season

The two dates every Burlington garden is planned around, plus ready-computed planting windows for the most popular crops.

Last spring frost
Apr 29
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Oct 15
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
169 days
frost-free stretch
USDA zone
5a
2023 hardiness map
Risky (1 year in 10)MedianSafe (9 years in 10)
Last spring frost Apr 17 Apr 29 May 11
First fall frost Nov 1 Oct 15 Oct 2
Hard freeze (28°F), median last Apr 18 · first Oct 28

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the Burlington International Airport station (5 km from central Burlington). "Safe" means frost past that date happens only about one year in ten. Your exact garden can still run days either way with elevation and terrain — check your own ZIP with the frost date lookup.

Planting windows for Burlington

Computed from Burlington's own frost dates. Click any crop for the full zone-5 growing guide — varieties, spacing, fall plantings, and more.

CropStart seeds indoorsTransplantDirect sow
🍅 Tomatoes Mar 4 – Mar 18 May 6 – May 13
🫑 Peppers Feb 18 – Mar 4 May 13 – May 20
🥬 Lettuce Mar 18 – Apr 1 Apr 1 – Apr 15 Apr 1 – Apr 29
🫛 Peas Mar 18 – Apr 1
🥕 Carrots Apr 8 – Apr 29
🥦 Broccoli Mar 11 – Mar 25 Apr 8 – Apr 22
🥬 Kale Mar 18 – Apr 1 Apr 1 – Apr 15 Apr 1 – Apr 15
🥒 Cucumbers Apr 1 – Apr 8 May 6 – May 13 May 6 – May 13
🥒 Zucchini Apr 1 – Apr 8 May 6 – May 13 May 6 – May 13
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) May 6 – May 13
🌽 Sweet Corn May 6 – May 13
🌿 Basil Mar 18 – Apr 1 May 6 – May 13 May 13 – May 20
🧄 Garlic Fall: Sep 3 – Oct 1

Want this for all 50 crops, or as a printable seed-shelf schedule? Use the planting calendar and the seed starting scheduler — both can use Burlington's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in Burlington

Roughly 169 frost-free days gives Burlington gardeners room for nearly every common vegetable. Warm-season crops go out after Apr 29; a fall garden sown in late summer matures comfortably before the Oct 15 frost.

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Burlington, VT?

The average last spring frost in Burlington is around Apr 29, based on 1991–2020 climate normals. That's a median — about half of years see a later frost, so tender crops are safest going out a week or two after this date.

When is the first frost in Burlington, VT?

The average first fall frost in Burlington arrives around Oct 15. Crops still in the garden need to mature before then, and frost-tender plants need harvesting or protection as the date approaches.

How long is the growing season in Burlington?

About 169 frost-free days on average, from Apr 29 to Oct 15. That fits nearly all common vegetables, though the longest-season melons and sweet potatoes benefit from transplants.

What USDA zone is Burlington in?

USDA zone 5a on the 2023 Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Note that zones describe winter cold, not frost timing — these frost dates are the numbers to plan plantings around.