Frost Dates for Rutland, VT 05701
Last spring frost May 13 · First fall frost September 28 · 138 frost-free days · USDA Zone 5a
ZIP 05701 has about 20,400 people.
Moderate season: 138 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans May 1–May 28 (27 days). Fall frost risk spans September 16–October 12 (26 days).
Frost probability for 05701
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | May 28 | May 13 | May 1 |
| Fall (first frost) | September 16 | September 28 | October 12 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at RUTLAND (5.3 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 138-day season in Rutland
In Rutland (138 frost-free days, a moderate season), 38 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 17 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant out / sow | Days you have | Verdict | Last sow date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Apr 8 | May 27–Jun 3 | 96 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 96 available after May 27. | May 29 |
| Pepper | Apr 1 | May 27–Jun 3 | 96 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 96 available after May 27. | Jun 3 |
| Lettuce | Mar 18 | Apr 15–Apr 22 | 173 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 15 and again by Aug 7; both mature before Oct 5. | Aug 7 |
| Carrots | — | Apr 22–Apr 29 | 180 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 180 available after Apr 22. | Jul 27 |
| Cucumber | Apr 22 | May 27–Jun 3 | 110 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 110 available after May 27. | Jul 2 |
| Beans | — | May 20–Jun 3 | 124 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 124 available after May 20. | Jul 9 |
| Peas | — | Mar 18–May 27 | 201 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 201 available after Mar 18. | Jul 18 |
| Zucchini | Apr 29 | May 27–Jun 3 | 110 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 110 available after May 27. | Jul 7 |
| Onion | Feb 18 | Apr 15–Apr 29 | 173 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 173 available after Apr 15. | — |
| Spinach | — | Mar 18–May 6 | 215 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 18 and again by Aug 26; both mature before Oct 19. | Aug 26 |
| Kale | Mar 4 | Apr 15–Apr 29 | 187 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 15 and again by Aug 11; both mature before Oct 19. | Aug 11 |
| Broccoli | Mar 18 | Apr 15–Apr 29 | 173 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 173 available after Apr 15. | Jul 3 |
| Cabbage | Mar 18 | Apr 15–Apr 29 | 187 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 187 available after Apr 15. | Jul 27 |
| Radish | — | Mar 18–Jun 10 | 201 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 18 and again by Aug 27; both mature before Oct 5. | Aug 27 |
| Beets | — | Mar 18–Jun 10 | 201 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 18 and again by Jul 28; both mature before Oct 5. | Jul 28 |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 29–May 6 | 159 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 159 available after Apr 29. | — |
| Garlic | — | Sep 28 | 243 | overwinter: Plant Sep 28 to Oct 19; harvest the following summer. | Oct 19 |
| Strawberry | — | Apr 8–Jun 3 | 194 | perennial: A perennial: plant Apr 8; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Apr 15 | May 20–May 27 | 110 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 110 available after May 20. | Jun 10 |
| Pumpkin | Apr 29 | May 27–May 27 | 103 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 103 available after May 27. | — |
| Cauliflower | Apr 1 | May 6–May 20 | 152 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 152 available after May 6. | Jul 8 |
| Swiss Chard | Mar 18 | Apr 29–Apr 29 | 159 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 29 and again by Jul 28; both mature before Oct 5. | Jul 28 |
| Arugula | — | Mar 18–Jun 10 | 215 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 18 and again by Aug 26; both mature before Oct 19. | Aug 26 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Mar 18 | Apr 15–Apr 29 | 187 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 187 available after Apr 15. | Jun 27 |
| Butternut Squash | Apr 29 | May 27–Jun 3 | 103 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 103 available after May 27. | — |
| Eggplant | Mar 25 | May 27–Jun 3 | 96 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 96 available after May 27. | Jun 8 |
| Okra | Apr 15 | May 20–May 27 | 117 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 117 available after May 20. | Jul 7 |
| Basil | Apr 8 | Jun 3–Jun 3 | 103 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 103 available after Jun 3. | Jul 2 |
| Cilantro | — | Apr 15–May 6 | 173 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 15 and again by Aug 2; both mature before Oct 5. | Aug 2 |
| Parsley | Mar 4 | May 20–May 27 | 138 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 138 available after May 20. | Jul 13 |
| Celery | Mar 4 | May 20–Jun 3 | 138 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 138 available after May 20. | May 24 |
| Scallions | Mar 4 | Apr 15–Apr 29 | 187 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 15 and again by Aug 6; both mature before Oct 19. | Aug 6 |
| Turnip | — | Apr 15–Apr 29 | 187 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 15 and again by Aug 16; both mature before Oct 19. | Aug 16 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Apr 1–Apr 15 | 201 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 1 and again by Aug 11; both mature before Oct 19. | Aug 11 |
| Bok Choy | Apr 15 | May 6–May 13 | 152 | two-plantings: Plant May 6 and again by Aug 7; both mature before Oct 5. | Aug 7 |
| Collards | Mar 4 | Apr 15–Apr 29 | 187 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 15 and again by Aug 6; both mature before Oct 19. | Aug 6 |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 29 | May 27–Jun 3 | 96 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 96 available after May 27. | — |
| Chives | Feb 18 | May 20–May 27 | 152 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 152 available after May 20. | — |
| Dill | — | Mar 18–Jun 10 | 201 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 18 and again by Jul 28; both mature before Oct 5. | Jul 28 |
| Oregano | Mar 4 | May 20–May 27 | 152 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 152 available after May 20. | — |
| Rosemary | Feb 18 | May 20–May 27 | 138 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 138 available after May 20. | — |
| Sage | Mar 18 | May 20–May 27 | 152 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 152 available after May 20. | — |
| Thyme | Mar 4 | May 20–May 27 | 152 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 152 available after May 20. | — |
| Calendula | Apr 1 | Apr 29–May 13 | 159 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 29 and again by Aug 2; both mature before Oct 5. | Aug 2 |
| Cosmos | Apr 15 | May 13–May 27 | 124 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 124 available after May 13. | Jul 2 |
| Lavender | Feb 18 | May 13–May 27 | 159 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 159 available after May 13. | — |
| Marigolds | Apr 1 | May 13–May 20 | 124 | two-plantings: Plant May 13 and again by Jul 12; both mature before Sep 14. | Jul 12 |
| Melons | Apr 29 | May 27–Jun 3 | 96 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 96 available after May 27. | — |
| Mint | — | May 13–May 27 | 159 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 159 available after May 13. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Apr 15 | May 13–May 20 | 124 | two-plantings: Plant May 13 and again by Jul 7; both mature before Sep 14. | Jul 7 |
| Pole Beans | — | May 20–Jun 3 | 117 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 117 available after May 20. | Jun 27 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Apr 29 | May 27–Jun 3 | 103 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 103 available after May 27. | — |
| Sunflowers | — | May 13–May 27 | 124 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 124 available after May 13. | Jun 22 |
| Tomatillos | Mar 18 | May 20–May 27 | 103 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 103 available after May 20. | Jun 3 |
| Watermelon | Apr 29 | May 20–May 27 | 103 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 103 available after May 20. | May 29 |
| Yellow Squash | Apr 29 | May 27–Jun 3 | 110 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 110 available after May 27. | Jul 7 |
| Zinnias | Apr 15 | May 13–May 27 | 124 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 124 available after May 13. | Jul 2 |
Month by month in Rutland
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Plan your garden layout and order seeds. Research varieties suited to your frost dates. |
| February | Start indoors: Chives (Feb 18), Lavender (Feb 18), Onion (Feb 18), Rosemary (Feb 18). |
| March | Start indoors: Celery (Mar 4), Collards (Mar 4), Kale (Mar 4), Oregano (Mar 4), Parsley (Mar 4), Scallions (Mar 4), +9 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Mar 18), Beets (Mar 18), Dill (Mar 18), Peas (Mar 18), Radish (Mar 18), Spinach (Mar 18). |
| April | Start indoors: Calendula (Apr 1), Cauliflower (Apr 1), Marigolds (Apr 1), Pepper (Apr 1), Basil (Apr 8), Tomato (Apr 8), +15 more. Direct sow from: Kohlrabi (Apr 1), Cilantro (Apr 15), Turnip (Apr 15), Carrots (Apr 22), Potatoes (Apr 29). Transplant from: Broccoli (Apr 15), Brussel Sprouts (Apr 15), Cabbage (Apr 15), Collards (Apr 15), Kale (Apr 15), Lettuce (Apr 15), +4 more. Plant: Strawberry (Apr 8). |
| May | Direct sow from: Sunflowers (May 13), Beans (May 20), Pole Beans (May 20). Transplant from: Bok Choy (May 6), Cauliflower (May 6), Cosmos (May 13), Lavender (May 13), Marigolds (May 13), Mint (May 13), +24 more. Last frost around May 13. Last sowing dates: Celery (May 24), Tomato (May 29), Watermelon (May 29). |
| June | Transplant from: Basil (Jun 3). Last sowing dates: Pepper (Jun 3), Tomatillos (Jun 3), Eggplant (Jun 8), Corn (Jun 10), Sunflowers (Jun 22), Brussel Sprouts (Jun 27), +1 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Basil (Jul 2), Cosmos (Jul 2), Cucumber (Jul 2), Zinnias (Jul 2), Broccoli (Jul 3), Nasturtiums (Jul 7), +13 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Calendula (Aug 2), Cilantro (Aug 2), Collards (Aug 6), Scallions (Aug 6), Bok Choy (Aug 7), Lettuce (Aug 7), +6 more. |
| September | Direct sow from: Garlic (Sep 28). First frost around September 28. |
| October | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Oct 19). |
| 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 Rutland, VT (ZIP 05701)?
The median last spring frost date for Rutland, VT (ZIP code 05701) is around May 13. 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 1; one in ten it runs past May 28.
What is the first fall frost date in Rutland, VT?
The median first fall frost date for Rutland, VT is around September 28. 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 16 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Rutland, VT?
The frost-free growing season in Rutland is about 138 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 Rutland (138 frost-free days, a moderate season), 38 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 17 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is Rutland, VT?
Rutland, VT is in USDA hardiness zone 5a (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 Rutland, VT?
Start tomatoes indoors Apr 8 and plant out May 27 in Rutland. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Rutland?
Two: plant Apr 15 and again by Aug 7; both mature before Oct 5.
When do I plant garlic in Rutland?
Sep 28 to Oct 19; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
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