When should I plant cotton in Vermont?

In Vermont, cotton is typically planted between May 29 and June 19 (earliest May 22, latest July 10). Wait for soil temperature at 2-inch depth to reach 65°F.

What USDA hardiness zone is Vermont?

Vermont has a dominant USDA hardiness zone of 5a, with a range from 3b to 5b. Last frost date averages around May 15 and first fall frost around September 25, giving a typical 130-day growing season.

What soil temperature does cotton need to germinate?

Cotton requires a minimum soil temperature of 65°F at 2-inch depth for reliable germination. Optimal germination occurs at 68–95°F.

State × crop calendar

Cotton planting in Vermont.

Trial / unusualZone 5a130-day seasonLast frost May 15Row CropFrost Sensitive

Cotton planting in Vermont is shaped by the state's 5a dominant hardiness zone, last frost date around May 15, and a 130-day growing season. Cotton is at the edge of viable range in Vermont — short-season varieties, season extension, or specialty/trial-only production.

Planting dates on this page are climatological estimates from USDA frost-date norms and zone-typical planting offsets. Verify against UVM Extension for variety- and county-specific guidance.

Planting calendar — 2026

Cotton · Vermont · planting calendar

Ideal windowEarliest / latest tailsFrost zone

Planting windows shift earlier in southern parts of the state and later in northern parts. Use last frost date in your specific county as the reference.

Planting windows

Spring planting

Cotton

Earliest

May 22

Ideal start

May 29

Ideal end

June 19

Latest

July 10

Soil-temp triggerWait for 65°F minimum soil temp at 2-inch depth, sustained for 3-5 days. Cotton emerges very slowly below this threshold.

Harvest window

Typical start

October 26

Typical end

November 25

Harvest timing varies with planting date and seasonal weather — these dates are typical for the ideal planting window.

Growing notes

Cotton is at the edge of viable range in Vermont. Specialty varieties, greenhouse or high-tunnel production, or container growing may be required.

Cotton is at the edge of viable range in Vermont — short-season varieties, season extension, or specialty/trial-only production.

Agronomy reference

Soil-temp minimum

65°F

Soil-temp optimum

68–95°F

Days to maturity

150–180

Water (in/wk)

0.8–1.5"

Soil pH

5.8–7

Nitrogen demand

moderate

Growing-degree-day requirement: 2200 GDD (base 60°F) from planting to maturity.

Cotton requires a long, warm growing season — generally limited to USDA zones 7 and warmer with adequate growing season length.

Common pests to watch

Bollworm
Lygus bug
Spider mites

Pest pressure varies by region and year. Confirm current outbreaks with UVM Extension.

Common diseases

Verticillium wilt
Fusarium wilt
Cotton root rot

Resistance varieties shift each year. Check the current variety trial report for your state.

Variety selection

Cotton varieties for Vermont live with your extension service.

Variety performance is micro-regional and changes with each year’s trial cycle. We don’t republish variety lists — instead, we point directly at the source.

UVM Extension →

Search the extension site for “cottonvariety trial” or “recommended cotton varieties” to find the current report.

Yield varies significantly by variety, soil, fertility, and management. Consult your state extension service for variety performance trials in your region.

Cotton timing. Live alerts.

Bield: Farm ties weather and soil-temperature stations in your county to crop planting thresholds — get notified the day soil temp clears your target window.

Download Bield: Farm

All Vermont crops →Cotton in all states →Full crop calendar directory →