Frost Dates for Ludlow, VT 05149
Last spring frost May 27 · First fall frost September 19 · 115 frost-free days · USDA Zone 5b
ZIP 05149 has about 2,240 people.
Short season: 115 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans May 11–June 12 (32 days). Fall frost risk spans September 7–October 1 (24 days).
Frost probability for 05149
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | June 12 | May 27 | May 11 |
| Fall (first frost) | September 7 | September 19 | October 1 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at CAVENDISH (8.7 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 115-day season in Ludlow
In Ludlow (115 frost-free days, a short season), 32 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 15 get two plantings, 8 need an indoor start, 1 crop is perennial.
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant out / sow | Days you have | Verdict | Last sow date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Apr 22 | Jun 10–Jun 17 | 73 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 10, the outdoor season is about 7 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Pepper | Apr 15 | Jun 10–Jun 17 | 73 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 10, the outdoor season is about 2 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Lettuce | Apr 1 | Apr 29–May 6 | 150 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 29 and again by Jul 29; both mature before Sep 26. | Jul 29 |
| Carrots | — | May 6–May 13 | 157 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 157 available after May 6. | Jul 18 |
| Cucumber | May 6 | Jun 10–Jun 17 | 87 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 87 available after Jun 10. | Jun 23 |
| Beans | — | Jun 3–Jun 17 | 101 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 101 available after Jun 3. | Jun 30 |
| Peas | — | Apr 1–Jun 10 | 178 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 178 available after Apr 1. | Jul 9 |
| Zucchini | May 13 | Jun 10–Jun 17 | 87 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 87 available after Jun 10. | Jun 28 |
| Onion | Mar 4 | Apr 29–May 13 | 150 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 150 available after Apr 29. | — |
| Spinach | — | Apr 1–May 20 | 192 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 1 and again by Aug 17; both mature before Oct 10. | Aug 17 |
| Kale | Mar 18 | Apr 29–May 13 | 164 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 29 and again by Aug 2; both mature before Oct 10. | Aug 2 |
| Broccoli | Apr 1 | Apr 29–May 13 | 150 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 150 available after Apr 29. | Jun 24 |
| Cabbage | Apr 1 | Apr 29–May 13 | 164 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 164 available after Apr 29. | Jul 18 |
| Radish | — | Apr 1–Jun 24 | 178 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 1 and again by Aug 18; both mature before Sep 26. | Aug 18 |
| Beets | — | Apr 1–Jun 24 | 178 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 1 and again by Jul 19; both mature before Sep 26. | Jul 19 |
| Potatoes | — | May 13–May 20 | 136 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 136 available after May 13. | — |
| Garlic | — | Sep 19 | 220 | overwinter: Plant Sep 19 to Oct 10; harvest the following summer. | Oct 10 |
| Strawberry | — | Apr 22–Jun 17 | 171 | perennial: A perennial: plant Apr 22; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Apr 29 | Jun 3–Jun 10 | 87 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 87 available after Jun 3. | — |
| Pumpkin | May 13 | Jun 10–Jun 10 | 80 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 10, the outdoor season is about 20 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Cauliflower | Apr 15 | May 20–Jun 3 | 129 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 129 available after May 20. | Jun 29 |
| Swiss Chard | Apr 1 | May 13–May 13 | 136 | two-plantings: Plant May 13 and again by Jul 19; both mature before Sep 26. | Jul 19 |
| Arugula | — | Apr 1–Jun 24 | 192 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 1 and again by Aug 17; both mature before Oct 10. | Aug 17 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Apr 1 | Apr 29–May 13 | 164 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 164 available after Apr 29. | Jun 18 |
| Butternut Squash | May 13 | Jun 10–Jun 17 | 80 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 10, the outdoor season is about 20 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Eggplant | Apr 8 | Jun 10–Jun 17 | 73 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 73 available after Jun 10. | — |
| Okra | Apr 29 | Jun 3–Jun 10 | 94 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 94 available after Jun 3. | Jun 28 |
| Basil | Apr 22 | Jun 17–Jun 17 | 80 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 80 available after Jun 17. | Jun 23 |
| Cilantro | — | Apr 29–May 20 | 150 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 29 and again by Jul 24; both mature before Sep 26. | Jul 24 |
| Parsley | Mar 18 | Jun 3–Jun 10 | 115 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 115 available after Jun 3. | Jul 4 |
| Celery | Mar 18 | Jun 3–Jun 17 | 115 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 3, the outdoor season is about 5 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Scallions | Mar 18 | Apr 29–May 13 | 164 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 29 and again by Jul 28; both mature before Oct 10. | Jul 28 |
| Turnip | — | Apr 29–May 13 | 164 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 29 and again by Aug 7; both mature before Oct 10. | Aug 7 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Apr 15–Apr 29 | 178 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 15 and again by Aug 2; both mature before Oct 10. | Aug 2 |
| Bok Choy | Apr 29 | May 20–May 27 | 129 | two-plantings: Plant May 20 and again by Jul 29; both mature before Sep 26. | Jul 29 |
| Collards | Mar 18 | Apr 29–May 13 | 164 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 29 and again by Jul 28; both mature before Oct 10. | Jul 28 |
| Cantaloupe | May 13 | Jun 10–Jun 17 | 73 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 10, the outdoor season is about 12 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Chives | Mar 4 | Jun 3–Jun 10 | 129 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 129 available after Jun 3. | — |
| Dill | — | Apr 1–Jun 24 | 178 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 1 and again by Jul 19; both mature before Sep 26. | Jul 19 |
| Oregano | Mar 18 | Jun 3–Jun 10 | 129 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 129 available after Jun 3. | — |
| Rosemary | Mar 4 | Jun 3–Jun 10 | 115 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 115 available after Jun 3. | — |
| Sage | Apr 1 | Jun 3–Jun 10 | 129 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 129 available after Jun 3. | — |
| Thyme | Mar 18 | Jun 3–Jun 10 | 129 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 129 available after Jun 3. | — |
| Calendula | Apr 15 | May 13–May 27 | 136 | two-plantings: Plant May 13 and again by Jul 24; both mature before Sep 26. | Jul 24 |
| Cosmos | Apr 29 | May 27–Jun 10 | 101 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 101 available after May 27. | Jun 23 |
| Lavender | Mar 4 | May 27–Jun 10 | 136 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 136 available after May 27. | — |
| Marigolds | Apr 15 | May 27–Jun 3 | 101 | fits: 50 days to maturity, 101 available after May 27. | Jul 3 |
| Melons | May 13 | Jun 10–Jun 17 | 73 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 10, the outdoor season is about 12 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Mint | — | May 27–Jun 10 | 136 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 136 available after May 27. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Apr 29 | May 27–Jun 3 | 101 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 101 available after May 27. | Jun 28 |
| Pole Beans | — | Jun 3–Jun 17 | 94 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 94 available after Jun 3. | Jun 18 |
| Spaghetti Squash | May 13 | Jun 10–Jun 17 | 80 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 10, the outdoor season is about 10 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Sunflowers | — | May 27–Jun 10 | 101 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 101 available after May 27. | Jun 13 |
| Tomatillos | Apr 1 | Jun 3–Jun 10 | 80 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 80 available after Jun 3. | — |
| Watermelon | May 13 | Jun 3–Jun 10 | 80 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 80 available after Jun 3. | — |
| Yellow Squash | May 13 | Jun 10–Jun 17 | 87 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 87 available after Jun 10. | Jun 28 |
| Zinnias | Apr 29 | May 27–Jun 10 | 101 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 101 available after May 27. | Jun 23 |
Month by month in Ludlow
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Plan your garden layout and order seeds. Research varieties suited to your frost dates. |
| February | Start the slowest-growing crops indoors: onions, leeks, and celery (10–12 weeks before last frost). |
| March | Start indoors: Chives (Mar 4), Lavender (Mar 4), Onion (Mar 4), Rosemary (Mar 4), Celery (Mar 18), Collards (Mar 18), +5 more. |
| April | Start indoors: Broccoli (Apr 1), Brussel Sprouts (Apr 1), Cabbage (Apr 1), Lettuce (Apr 1), Sage (Apr 1), Swiss Chard (Apr 1), +14 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Apr 1), Beets (Apr 1), Dill (Apr 1), Peas (Apr 1), Radish (Apr 1), Spinach (Apr 1), +3 more. Transplant from: Broccoli (Apr 29), Brussel Sprouts (Apr 29), Cabbage (Apr 29), Collards (Apr 29), Kale (Apr 29), Lettuce (Apr 29), +2 more. Plant: Strawberry (Apr 22). |
| May | Start indoors: Cucumber (May 6), Butternut Squash (May 13), Cantaloupe (May 13), Melons (May 13), Pumpkin (May 13), Spaghetti Squash (May 13), +3 more. Direct sow from: Carrots (May 6), Potatoes (May 13), Sunflowers (May 27). Transplant from: Calendula (May 13), Swiss Chard (May 13), Bok Choy (May 20), Cauliflower (May 20), Cosmos (May 27), Lavender (May 27), +4 more. Last frost around May 27. |
| June | Direct sow from: Beans (Jun 3), Pole Beans (Jun 3). Transplant from: Celery (Jun 3), Chives (Jun 3), Corn (Jun 3), Okra (Jun 3), Oregano (Jun 3), Parsley (Jun 3), +17 more. Last sowing dates: Sunflowers (Jun 13), Brussel Sprouts (Jun 18), Pole Beans (Jun 18), Basil (Jun 23), Cosmos (Jun 23), Cucumber (Jun 23), +8 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Marigolds (Jul 3), Parsley (Jul 4), Peas (Jul 9), Cabbage (Jul 18), Carrots (Jul 18), Beets (Jul 19), +8 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Kale (Aug 2), Kohlrabi (Aug 2), Turnip (Aug 7), Arugula (Aug 17), Spinach (Aug 17), Radish (Aug 18). |
| September | Direct sow from: Garlic (Sep 19). First frost around September 19. |
| October | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Oct 10). |
| November | Clean up spent plants. Add compost to beds. Rest, review, and plan next year's garden. |
| December | Clean up spent plants. Add compost to beds. Rest, review, and plan next year's garden. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last frost date for Ludlow, VT (ZIP 05149)?
The median last spring frost date for Ludlow, VT (ZIP code 05149) is around May 27. This is the 50th-percentile date — meaning half of all years see frost end before this date. Use the 10% and 90% dates to understand the full range of risk in your area. One year in ten frost ends before May 11; one in ten it runs past June 12.
What is the first fall frost date in Ludlow, VT?
The median first fall frost date for Ludlow, VT is around September 19. Plan to harvest or protect frost-sensitive crops like tomatoes and peppers at least a week before this date to avoid losses. The first frost arrives around September 7 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Ludlow, VT?
The frost-free growing season in Ludlow is about 115 days. This window — from your last spring frost to your first fall frost — is when warm-season vegetables thrive. Cold-hardy crops like kale, spinach, and peas can extend your season by weeks on either side. In Ludlow (115 frost-free days, a short season), 32 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 15 get two plantings, 8 need an indoor start, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is Ludlow, VT?
Ludlow, VT is in USDA hardiness zone 5b (2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map). Zones come from the average coldest winter temperature, so they tell you which perennials survive the winter; the frost dates on this page tell you when to plant.
When should I start tomatoes indoors in Ludlow, VT?
Start tomatoes indoors Apr 22 and plant out Jun 10 in Ludlow. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Ludlow?
Two: plant Apr 29 and again by Jul 29; both mature before Sep 26.
When do I plant garlic in Ludlow?
Sep 19 to Oct 10; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I grow Celery in Ludlow?
Yes, with help. Even planted out Jun 3, the outdoor season is about 5 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Rutland (ZIP 05701) has 138 frost-free days, 23 more than Ludlow (ZIP 05149). See Rutland ZIP 05701 frost dates
Nearby and related
- Frost dates for Rutland, VT 05701 (19.1 mi)
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- Frost dates for Lebanon, NH 03766 (28.2 mi)
- Frost dates for Hanover, NH 03755 (33.7 mi)
- Frost dates for Keene, NH 03431 (36.3 mi)
- When to plant in VT
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- When to plant Carrots in VT
- When to plant Kale in VT
- Look up another ZIP