When to plant in Rutland, VT
USDA Zone 5aRutland, Vermont frost dates, USDA zone, and a full-year planting calendar, drawn from the nearest NOAA station and tuned to the local season.
Zone 5a means Rutland sees real winter cold, but a good range of perennials survive; the frost dates above govern when annual vegetables go out.
Frost probability
RUTLAND · 1991–2020The date the last spring and first fall frost occur, by threshold and probability. A 90% date is later in spring — and earlier in fall — than a 10% date; the 50% · 32°F row is what most gardeners plan around. These are Rutland’s own odds, recorded at RUTLAND.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | Jun 10 | May 29 | May 13 | Sep 4 | Sep 16 | Sep 29 |
| 32°F | May 31 | May 15 | May 1 | Sep 13 | Sep 27 | Oct 8 |
| 28°F | May 16 | May 2 | Apr 22 | Sep 23 | Oct 5 | Oct 21 |
Download this table as CSV ↓ — every threshold and probability, plus this city’s planting-window dates.
What to plant now
TODAY · JULY 19Full-year planting calendar
Each bar is the exact window to take a planting action in Rutland, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 35 km · complete 32°F normalsWhen stations disagree by more than a few days, that spread is real microclimate variation — elevation, water, urban heat. Judge which station best matches your own yard.
Rutland planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Rutland, VT?
Plan for the last spring frost in Rutland around May 15 (the date it has a 50% chance of a 32°F freeze). Anything frost-sensitive should go out after it.
When is the first fall frost in Rutland, VT?
The first fall frost in Rutland typically arrives around September 27 (50% probability at 32°F). Harvest or protect frost-sensitive crops before then.
What hardiness zone is Rutland in?
Rutland is in USDA hardiness zone 5a. In zone 5a, winters are cold — pick cold-hardy varieties and protect tender crops.
How long is the growing season in Rutland?
There are roughly 135 frost-free days in Rutland (a short growing season), running from the average last frost around May 15 to the first fall frost near September 27.
When should I plant tomatoes in Rutland?
In Rutland, start tomato seeds indoors around March 20–April 3, then transplant seedlings outdoors around May 22 once the danger of frost has passed.
Never miss a window in Rutland
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Rutland’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- Claremont · 58 km
- Lebanon · 58 km
- Glens Falls · 63 km
- West Glens Falls · 67 km
- Saratoga Springs · 88 km
- Keene · 91 km
- South Burlington · 93 km
- Essex Junction · 99 km
Frost dates recorded at RUTLAND, 2 km from the city center · 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals · zone from the USDA/PRISM 2023 map. How we compute this.
BlissGarden. "When to Plant in Rutland, VT — Frost Dates & Zone 5a." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USC00436995. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/vermont/rutland.