Frost dates for 06256North Windham, CT
The average last spring frost in North Windham is April 28 and the average first fall frost is October 13, giving a typical growing season of about 167 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 28
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 13
- Growing season
- 167 days
Safer after May 11 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 2 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 179 days
Frost risk by date
NOAA reports frost dates as probabilities. The middle date is the average (a 50% chance). For spring, the 10% date is a safer planting date: frost after it happens in about 1 year in 10. Light frost (36°F) can damage tender plants; a hard freeze (28°F) kills most annuals.
| Temperature | Last spring: 90% / 50% / 10% chance | First fall: 10% / 50% / 90% chance | Growing season (50%) | Years with at least one |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light frost (36°F) | Apr 27 · May 9 · May 22 | Sep 23 · Oct 3 · Oct 16 | 146 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 17 · Apr 28 · May 11 | Oct 2 · Oct 13 · Oct 29 | 167 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 2 · Apr 14 · Apr 29 | Oct 10 · Oct 25 · Nov 7 | 193 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for North Windham
Planting windows from the University of Maryland Extension calendar, shifted to your average frost dates. Use them as a starting point and adjust for seed packet instructions and local conditions.
| Crop | Task | Window |
|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Start seeds indoors | Mar 28 – Jun 3 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 14 – Jun 23 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 28 – Apr 28 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 28 – Jun 28 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 14 – May 13 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 28 – Jun 28 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 28 – Jul 3 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 14 – Jun 28 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 28 – Jun 28 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 14 – Jul 26 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 14 – Jun 23 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 28 – Jun 28 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 21 – Jun 13 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – May 13 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – May 28 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 14 – Mar 13 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 14 – May 13 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 10 – Apr 13 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 14 – May 13 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 13 – Jun 23 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Jul 24 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 28 – Mar 28 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – Apr 28 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 3 – Jul 3 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Aug 3 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – Jun 13 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Aug 19 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 21 – May 4 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 20 – Aug 24 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – May 18 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Sep 3 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 14 – May 4 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 26 – Aug 3 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 28 – Jun 13 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 3 – Jul 19 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 3 – Nov 3 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 06256 is matched to the NOAA station Willimantic Windham Ap, CT, 2 km away, at 247 ft elevation (12 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Willimantic Windham Ap, CT (used) | 247 ft | Apr 28 | Oct 13 |
| Storrs, CT | 665 ft | Apr 19 | Oct 22 |
| Hampton, CT | 490 ft | Apr 30 | Oct 15 |
| Norwich Public Utility Plt, CT | 20 ft | Apr 14 | Oct 24 |
Frost dates near North Windham
- Mansfield Center, CT 06250 · last Apr 28, first Oct 13
- Windham, CT 06280 · last Apr 28, first Oct 13
- Willimantic, CT 06226 · last Apr 28, first Oct 13
- Chaplin, CT 06235 · last Apr 28, first Oct 13
- Hampton, CT 06247 · last Apr 30, first Oct 15
- Scotland, CT 06264 · last Apr 28, first Oct 13
- South Windham, CT 06266 · last Apr 28, first Oct 13
- Storrs Mansfield, CT 06268 · last Apr 19, first Oct 22
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in North Windham, CT?
- For ZIP code 06256, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 28, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Willimantic Windham Ap, CT weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 11.
- When is the first frost in North Windham, CT?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 13. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 2, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 06256?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 167 days long.
- Are these frost dates a forecast?
- No. They are 30-year averages and probabilities from NOAA weather station records. Use them to plan, then watch your local forecast before planting tender crops or leaving them uncovered.