Last frost date in South Burlington, VT

Average last frost
April 29

Expect the last frost in South Burlington around April 29. Frost after May 11 happens in only one year out of ten. 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
Next 7 nights in South Burlington

Frost likely tonight, low 29°F

National Weather Service forecast, updated Oct 22, 12:57 UTC

  1. ThuOct 2229°frost
  2. FriOct 2327°hard freeze
  3. SatOct 2430°frost
  4. SunOct 2537°
  5. MonOct 2635°possible frost
  6. TueOct 2732°frost
  7. WedOct 2836°possible frost
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecLast frost Apr 29First frost Oct 15169 frost-free daysBlue: chance of 32°F frost. Green: average frost-free season.JFMAMJJASOND169 frost-free days
Frost risk through the year at Burlington International Airport, 2.7 miles from South Burlington.

Planting calendar for South Burlington

Windows count forward or back from the average frost dates above. Click a crop for dates across Vermont.

Start indoorsPlant outSow outdoorsFall plantingAverage last and first frost
Warm-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
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
Cool-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
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
Fall bulbs and garlic
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Tulip bulbsOct 1–Nov 5
GarlicSep 24–Oct 29
Daffodil bulbsSep 17–Oct 29
Perennials
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
StrawberriesApr 1–Apr 15
AsparagusApr 1–Apr 15

Frost probabilities

ThresholdSpring, 90% chance laterSpring, 50%Spring, 10%Fall, 10% chance earlierFall, 50%Fall, 90%
Light frost, 32°FApr 17Apr 29May 11Oct 2Oct 15Nov 1
Hard freeze, 28°FApr 5Apr 18Apr 30Oct 12Oct 28Nov 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 2.7 miles from the center of South 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 South Burlington, VT?

The average last frost date in South 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 South 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 South Burlington?

About 169 days between the average last and first frost.

When should I plant tomatoes in South Burlington?

Plant tomato seedlings outside from May 6 to May 20. Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks earlier.

Nearby in Vermont

All 2 cities in Vermont