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When to Plant Zucchini in Bennington County, VT

Zucchini is an incredibly prolific summer squash that can produce an abundance of fruit from just a few plants. It is versatile in the kitchen from grilling to baking.

Bennington County, Vermont is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 12 and the first fall frost is October 5, giving you a growing season of approximately 146 days.

At an elevation of 1,063 feet, Bennington County receives approximately 44.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 87ยฐF, providing good warmth for Zucchini during the growing season.

Bennington County, VT (Zone 5a) Short season
146 days
Last Spring Frost May 12
146 growing days
First Fall Frost October 5

Bennington County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5-6.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (28 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 1 Transplant: May 20 🍅 Harvest: Jul 8 – Sep 2
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (27 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 7 Transplant: May 26 🍅 Harvest: Jul 14 – Sep 8
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (28 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 21 Transplant: Jun 9 🍅 Harvest: Jul 28 – Sep 22

Percentages indicate frost risk at transplant. The 70% safe window means there is a 30% chance of frost after transplant — suitable for cold-hardy crops or gardeners with frost protection. The 90% safe window is best for tender plants.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
1.3″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Zucchini needs ~801 GDD — county provides 2,226 GDD Excellent fit

Zucchini Planting Timeline โ€” Bennington County, VT

Zucchini Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors April 7 Apr 7 โ€“ Apr 21
Transplant Outdoors May 26 May 26 โ€“ Jun 9
Direct Sow May 19 May 19 โ€“ Jun 9
Harvest July 14 Jul 14 โ€“ Sep 8

Plant 1" deep ยท 30" apart ยท Rows 42" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April Start Indoors
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
July Harvest
August Harvest
September Harvest
October โ€”
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

Days to Maturity

45โ€“60 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 7.5

USDA Zone

Zone 5a

Growing Season

146 days

Growing Tips for Bennington County

Direct sow after last frost. Harvest when fruits are 6-8 inches long for best flavor and texture. Check plants daily in summer as fruits can double in size overnight.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Potatoes

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Zucchini in Bennington County, VT?

Bennington County is in Zone 5a with an average last frost of May 12. Plan your Zucchini planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Bennington County, VT?

Bennington County, Vermont is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 12 and first fall frost is October 5.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Bennington County gardeners in Zone 5a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Bennington County, VT. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.