When to Plant Sweet Cherry Tree in Vermont

🌱

Direct Sow Outdoors

Sunday, March 29, 2026

Based on White River Junction · Zone 5a

Last frost: Sunday, May 10, 2026

State

Vermont

USDA Zones

4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a

Avg Last Frost

Sunday, May 10, 2026

Cities Covered

285

Vermont Planting Schedule by Zone

Vermont spans 5 zones — find yours below for the most accurate dates.

Zone	Last Frost	Direct Sow	Example Cities
4a	Friday, May 15, 2026	Friday, April 3, 2026	Derby, Derby Line, East Charleston
4b	Tuesday, May 5, 2026	Tuesday, March 24, 2026	East Ryegate, Groton, Mc Indoe Falls
5a	Sunday, May 10, 2026	Sunday, March 29, 2026	White River Junction, Barnard, Bethel
5b	Saturday, April 25, 2026	Saturday, March 14, 2026	Ascutney, Plymouth, Reading
6a	Monday, April 20, 2026	Monday, March 9, 2026	Brattleboro

Dates based on average last frost. Check your local forecast before planting.

🌿 About Sweet Cherry Tree

Scientific Name Prunus avium

Days to Maturity 2190 days

Plant Type Deciduous Tree

Sun Full Sun (6-8 hours)

Water Moderate (1 inch/week)

Spacing 360" apart

🤝 Companion Plants for Sweet Cherry Tree

Good Companions

ComfreyNasturtiumChive

Avoid Planting Near

WalnutFennelTomato

See the full companion planting guide for Sweet Cherry Tree →

Growing Sweet Cherry Tree in Vermont: Complete Guide

Sweet Cherry Tree (Prunus avium) is a crop that grows best when sown directly in the garden. In Vermont, the right time to direct sow is around Sunday, March 29, 2026, once soil temperatures are consistently warm enough for germination.

Because Vermont stretches across 5 USDA hardiness zones (4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a), planting windows can shift by as much as six to eight weeks from one end of the state to the other. Gardeners in the warmer southern zones can start earlier, while those in cooler northern zones should wait until the zone table above shows their last frost has passed.

With 2190 days to maturity, Sweet Cherry Tree fits comfortably within Vermont's growing season in most zones. In the warmest parts of the state, a second planting later in the season may be possible.

Sweet Cherry Tree requires full sun (6-8 hours) and moderate (1 inch/week) moisture. Most of Vermont receives adequate sunlight during the growing season, though gardeners in humid eastern regions should watch for fungal issues and ensure good air circulation.

For the most precise planting dates tailored to your exact location, enter your ZIP code on our planting calendar or use the zone table above to find the schedule for your area of Vermont.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Sweet Cherry Tree in Vermont?

In Vermont, direct sow Sweet Cherry Tree outdoors around Sunday, March 29, 2026. Vermont spans zones 4a–6a, so gardeners in warmer zones can plant earlier.

What is the last frost date in Vermont?

Vermont spans 5 USDA zones (4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a), so last frost dates vary by region. Derby, Derby Line, East Charleston (4a) sees frost until around Friday, May 15, 2026, while Brattleboro (6a) is frost-free much earlier.

How long does Sweet Cherry Tree take to grow in Vermont?

Sweet Cherry Tree takes about 2190 days from transplant (or direct sow) to harvest. In Vermont's longer-season zones, a second planting in late summer may be possible.

What USDA zones does Vermont cover for Sweet Cherry Tree?

Vermont includes zones 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a. Sweet Cherry Tree grows well across all of these zones with adjusted timing — use the zone table above to find the right dates for your part of the state.

Find Precise Dates for Your City

Select a city for exact planting dates based on local frost records.

Adamant 5a Albany 4b Alburg 5a Arlington 5a Ascutney 5b Averill 4a Bakersfield 4b Barnard 5a Barnet 4b Barre 5a Barton 4b Beebe Plain 4b Beecher Falls 4a Bellows Falls 5b Belmont 5a Belvidere Center 5a Bennington 5b Benson 5a Bethel 5a Bomoseen 5a Bondville 5a Bradford 5a Brandon 5a Brattleboro 5b Bridgewater 5a Bridgewater Corners 5a Bridport 5a Bristol 5a Brookfield 5a Brownsville 5a Burlington 5b Cabot 4b Calais 5a Cambridge 5a Cambridgeport 5b Canaan 4a Castleton 5a Cavendish 5b Center Rutland 5a Charlotte 5a Chelsea 5a Chester 5b Chittenden 5a Colchester 5a Concord 4b Corinth 5a Coventry 4b Craftsbury 4b Craftsbury Common 4b Cuttingsville 5b Danby 5a Danville 4b Derby 4a Derby Line 4a Dorset 5a East Arlington 5a East Barre 5a East Berkshire 4b East Burke 4b East Calais 4b +225 more cities

Other Plants for Vermont

Blackberry Blueberry Raspberry Strawberry Basil Chamomile Chives Cilantro Dill Lavender Lemon Balm Marjoram Mint Oregano Parsley Rosemary Sage Tarragon Thyme Acorn Squash Artichoke Arugula Asparagus Beefsteak Tomato Beet Bell Pepper Bok Choy Broccoli Brussels Sprout Butternut Squash Cabbage Cantaloupe Carrot Cauliflower Cayenne Pepper Celery Cherry Tomato Chili Pepper Collard Green Common Bean Cucumber Eggplant Endive Fennel Garlic Grape Tomato Green Bean Habanero Pepper Head Lettuce Heirloom Tomato Honeydew Melon Jalapeño Pepper Kale Kohlrabi Leaf Lettuce Leek Lima Bean Mustard Okra Onion Parsnip Pea Poblano Pepper Pole Pea Potato Pumpkin Radicchio Radish Rhubarb Roma Tomato Rutabaga Serrano Pepper Shallot Snap Pea Snow Pea Spaghetti Squash Spinach Squash Sweet Corn Sweet Potato Swiss Chard Tomato Turnip Watermelon Zucchini Sunflower Marigold Zinnia Nasturtium Cosmos Echinacea (Coneflower) Petunia Black-eyed Susan Apple Tree Pear Tree Peach Tree Plum Tree Lemon Tree Borage Lemongrass Ginger Stevia Tomatillo Edamame Fava Bean Mâche Mizuna Sorrel Shishito Pepper Banana Pepper Watermelon Radish Napa Cabbage Popcorn Broccoli Raab Catnip Valerian Lemon Verbena Bee Balm Anise Lovage Chervil Summer Savory Dahlia Snapdragon Pansy Sweet Pea Morning Glory Hollyhock Larkspur Bachelor Button Columbine Impatiens Salvia (Annual) Sweet Alyssum Celosia Lupine Verbena Elderberry Grape Vine Red Currant Gooseberry Serviceberry Fig Tree Avocado Tree Persimmon Tree Olive Tree