Montpelier, VT Frost Dates & Growing Season

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

Last spring frost
May 5
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Oct 9
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
157 days
frost-free stretch
USDA zone
4b
2023 hardiness map
Risky (1 year in 10)MedianSafe (9 years in 10)
Last spring frost Apr 23 May 5 May 21
First fall frost Oct 24 Oct 9 Sep 28
Hard freeze (28°F), median last Apr 24 · first Oct 21

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the Montpelier 2 station (2 km from central Montpelier). "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 Montpelier

Computed from Montpelier's own frost dates. Click any crop for the full zone-4 growing guide — varieties, spacing, fall plantings, and more.

CropStart seeds indoorsTransplantDirect sow
🍅 Tomatoes Mar 10 – Mar 24 May 12 – May 19
🫑 Peppers Feb 24 – Mar 10 May 19 – May 26
🥬 Lettuce Mar 24 – Apr 7 Apr 7 – Apr 21 Apr 7 – May 5
🫛 Peas Mar 24 – Apr 7
🥕 Carrots Apr 14 – May 5
🥦 Broccoli Mar 17 – Mar 31 Apr 14 – Apr 28
🥬 Kale Mar 24 – Apr 7 Apr 7 – Apr 21 Apr 7 – Apr 21
🥒 Cucumbers Apr 7 – Apr 14 May 12 – May 19 May 12 – May 19
🥒 Zucchini Apr 7 – Apr 14 May 12 – May 19 May 12 – May 19
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) May 12 – May 19
🌽 Sweet Corn May 12 – May 19
🌿 Basil Mar 24 – Apr 7 May 12 – May 19 May 19 – May 26
🧄 Garlic Fall: Aug 28 – Sep 25

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 Montpelier's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in Montpelier

Roughly 157 frost-free days gives Montpelier gardeners room for nearly every common vegetable. Warm-season crops go out after May 5; a fall garden sown in late summer matures comfortably before the Oct 9 frost.

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Montpelier, VT?

The average last spring frost in Montpelier is around May 5, 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 Montpelier, VT?

The average first fall frost in Montpelier arrives around Oct 9. 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 Montpelier?

About 157 frost-free days on average, from May 5 to Oct 9. That fits nearly all common vegetables, though the longest-season melons and sweet potatoes benefit from transplants.

What USDA zone is Montpelier in?

USDA zone 4b 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.