Frost dates for 06615Stratford, CT
The average last spring frost in Stratford is April 5 and the average first fall frost is November 6, giving a typical growing season of about 216 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 5
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 6
- Growing season
- 216 days
Safer after Apr 17 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 25 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 5 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 6 · Apr 16 · Apr 29 | Oct 11 · Oct 26 · Nov 8 | 194 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 25 · Apr 5 · Apr 17 | Oct 25 · Nov 6 · Nov 20 | 216 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 11 · Mar 26 · Apr 6 | Nov 6 · Nov 19 · Dec 5 | 238 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Stratford
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 5 – May 11 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 21 – Jul 17 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 5 – Apr 5 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 5 – Jun 5 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 22 – Apr 20 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 5 – Jun 5 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 5 – Jul 27 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 21 – Jun 5 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 5 – Jun 5 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 21 – Aug 19 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 21 – Jul 17 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 5 – Jun 5 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 28 – May 21 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 20 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – May 5 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 22 – Feb 18 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – Apr 20 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 15 – Mar 21 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – Apr 20 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 7 – Jul 17 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 6 – Aug 17 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 5 – Mar 5 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 5 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 27 – Jul 27 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 27 – Aug 27 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – May 21 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 27 – Sep 12 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 26 – Apr 11 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 13 – Sep 17 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 25 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 27 – Sep 27 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – Apr 11 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 20 – Aug 27 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – May 21 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 27 – Aug 12 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 27 – Nov 27 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 06615 is matched to the NOAA station Bridgeport Sikorsky Mem Ap, CT, 2.1 km away, at 5 ft elevation (5 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bridgeport Sikorsky Mem Ap, CT (used) | 5 ft | Apr 5 | Nov 6 |
| Ansonia 1 Ne, CT | 136 ft | Apr 25 | Oct 17 |
| New Haven Tweed Ap, CT | 3 ft | Apr 17 | Oct 27 |
| Setauket Strong, NY | 40 ft | Apr 15 | Nov 10 |
Frost dates near Stratford
- Bridgeport, CT 06607 · last Apr 5, first Nov 6
- Stratford, CT 06614 · last Apr 5, first Nov 6
- Milford, CT 06460 · last Apr 5, first Nov 6
- Fairfield, CT 06828 · last Apr 5, first Nov 6
- Trumbull, CT 06611 · last Apr 5, first Nov 6
- Southport, CT 06890 · last Apr 5, first Nov 6
- Shelton, CT 06484 · last Apr 20, first Oct 20
- Orange, CT 06477 · last Apr 17, first Oct 27
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Stratford, CT?
- For ZIP code 06615, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 5, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Bridgeport Sikorsky Mem Ap, CT weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 17.
- When is the first frost in Stratford, CT?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 6. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 25, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 06615?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 216 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.