United States regional guide · VT

Permaculture in Vermont

Vermont’s Green Mountains and narrow valleys bring cold snowy winters, short seasons, abundant rainfall, and many acidic soils. Slope aspect, cold-air drainage, and winter protection strongly influence perennial crops.

USDA span

3b–6a

Census region

Northeast

Climate starting point

USDA hardiness zones in Vermont

Vermont includes USDA zones 3b–6a. Hardiness zones describe typical annual extreme minimum temperatures; within-state elevation, wind, water, soil, and urban heat can change what succeeds on a particular site.

Zone 3bZone 4aZone 4bZone 5aZone 5bZone 6a

Regional plant starting points

Plants to explore for a Vermont design

These plants are useful starting points for researching a design in Vermont. Confirm each choice against your exact zone, site conditions, local ecology, and management goals.

01Zones 2–8

Lowbush Blueberry

Vaccinium angustifolium

Layer: Groundcover
Type: Perennial

02Zones 3–7

Cranberry

Vaccinium macrocarpon

Layer: Groundcover
Type: Perennial

03Zones 3–7

Lingonberry

Vaccinium vitis-idaea

Layer: Groundcover
Type: Perennial

04Zones 4–8

Red Raspberry

Rubus idaeus

Layer: Shrub
Type: Perennial

05Zones 4–6

American Gooseberry

Ribes hirtellum

Layer: Shrub
Type: Perennial

06Zones 2–6

Chokecherry

Prunus virginiana

Layer: Sub-Canopy
Type: Deciduous Tree

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