Last frost date in Burlington, VT
The average last frost in Burlington is April 29. By May 11 the chance of another 32°F night drops to 1 in 10. The first fall frost usually arrives about October 15, which leaves 169 frost-free days. An early freeze before October 2 happens one year in ten.
- Safe after (10% risk)
- May 11
- Average first frost
- Oct 15
- Frost-free season
- 169 days
- Hard freeze (28°F) ends
- Apr 18
Frost likely tonight, low 32°F
National Weather Service forecast, updated Oct 22, 12:57 UTC
- ThuOct 2232°frost
- FriOct 2330°frost
- SatOct 2433°possible frost
- SunOct 2539°
- MonOct 2638°
- TueOct 2734°possible frost
- WedOct 2838°
Planting calendar for Burlington
Windows count forward or back from the average frost dates above. Click a crop for dates across Vermont.
TomatoesMay 6–May 20
PumpkinsMay 13–May 27
SunflowersApr 29–May 20
CucumbersMay 13–May 20
CornMay 6–May 20
Sweet potatoesMay 20–Jun 3
WatermelonMay 13–May 27
Green beansMay 6–May 27
ZucchiniMay 6–May 20
OkraMay 20–Jun 3
PeppersMay 13–May 27
BasilMay 6–May 20
Butternut squashMay 6–May 20
CantaloupeMay 13–May 27
EggplantMay 13–May 27
PotatoesApr 1–Apr 15
OnionsMar 18–Apr 8
CarrotsApr 8–May 13
LettuceApr 15–May 6
BroccoliApr 1–Apr 15
BeetsApr 1–May 13
PeasMar 18–Apr 1
CabbageApr 1–Apr 15
RadishesMar 25–May 6
Brussels sproutsApr 15–Apr 29
SpinachMar 18–Apr 8
CilantroApr 15–May 6
KaleApr 1–Apr 15
Collard greensApr 1–Apr 15
TurnipsApr 1–Apr 15
DillApr 29–May 13
CeleryMay 6–May 13
CauliflowerApr 15–Apr 29
LeeksApr 15–Apr 29
Swiss chardApr 15–May 13
ParsleyApr 15–May 6
Tulip bulbsOct 1–Nov 5
GarlicSep 24–Oct 29
Daffodil bulbsSep 17–Oct 29
StrawberriesApr 1–Apr 15
AsparagusApr 1–Apr 15Frost probabilities
| Threshold | Spring, 90% chance later | Spring, 50% | Spring, 10% | Fall, 10% chance earlier | Fall, 50% | Fall, 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light frost, 32°F | Apr 17 | Apr 29 | May 11 | Oct 2 | Oct 15 | Nov 1 |
| Hard freeze, 28°F | Apr 5 | Apr 18 | Apr 30 | Oct 12 | Oct 28 | Nov 12 |
Read the spring 10% column as the date after which only one year in ten still gets frost. That is the safer date for tomatoes, peppers and basil.
Where these numbers come from
NOAA station Burlington International Airport (USW00014742) sits 4.7 miles from the center of Burlington at 330 feet. Its averages cover 1991 to 2020. Low spots, valleys and open fields can keep getting frost a week or two after the station stops; city centers and lakeshores usually get less of it.
Questions
When is the last frost in Burlington, VT?
The average last frost date in Burlington is April 29, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. There is a 10% chance of frost after May 11.
When is the first frost in Burlington?
The first frost in fall usually comes around October 15. One year in ten it arrives before October 2.
How long is the growing season in Burlington?
About 169 days between the average last and first frost.
When should I plant tomatoes in Burlington?
Plant tomato seedlings outside from May 6 to May 20. Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks earlier.
Nearby in Vermont
- South BurlingtonApr 29