When to Plant Tomatoes in Vermont
In Vermont, the time to transplant tomatoes outside runs from May 6 – May 20 in Burlington to May 23 – Jun 6 in Barre. In Burlington, it's May 6 – May 20. The average last spring frost differs by about 2 weeks across the state (Apr 29 in Burlington, May 16 in Barre), so use the dates for the town nearest you.
Tomatoes are killed by frost and sulk in cold soil. Wait until nights stay above 50°F, usually one to three weeks after the average last frost.
- Start indoors: 6–8 weeks before the last frost.
- Transplant outside: 1–3 weeks after the last frost.
Tomatoes planting dates in Vermont by city
| City | Zone | Start indoors | Transplant outside |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barre | 5a | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | May 23 – Jun 6 |
| Burlington | 5b | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | May 6 – May 20 |
| Essex Junction | 5a | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | May 9 – May 23 |
| Montpelier | 5a | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | May 12 – May 26 |
| Rutland | 5a | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | May 22 – Jun 5 |
| South Burlington | 5a | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | May 6 – May 20 |
| St. Albans | 5a | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | May 8 – May 22 |
| Winooski | 5a | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | May 6 – May 20 |
Calculated from each town's average (50%) frost dates, from the nearest NOAA station (1991–2020). Typical dates for the 2027 planting season, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 averages. They are long-term odds, not a forecast: always check your local forecast before planting. Zones: 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (USDA-ARS and Oregon State University). Not the official map; see planthardiness.ars.usda.gov.
See all frost dates in Vermont, or the general guide to when to plant tomatoes.
Getting beds ready? Work out how much raised bed soil, compost or mulch you need with our sister site, Yard Coverage.