Frost dates for 06710Waterbury, CT
The average last spring frost in Waterbury is April 25 and the average first fall frost is October 18, giving a typical growing season of about 172 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 25
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 18
- Growing season
- 172 days
Safer after May 10 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 4 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 175 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 24 · May 6 · May 22 | Sep 26 · Oct 6 · Oct 20 | 152 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 12 · Apr 25 · May 10 | Oct 4 · Oct 18 · Nov 1 | 172 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 2 · Apr 13 · Apr 29 | Oct 14 · Oct 30 · Nov 14 | 197 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Waterbury
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 25 – May 31 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 11 – Jun 28 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 25 – Apr 25 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 25 – Jun 25 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 11 – May 10 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 25 – Jun 25 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 25 – Jul 8 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 11 – Jun 25 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 25 – Jun 25 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 11 – Jul 31 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 11 – Jun 28 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 25 – Jun 25 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 18 – Jun 10 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 25 – May 10 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 25 – May 25 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 11 – Mar 10 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 11 – May 10 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 7 – Apr 10 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 11 – May 10 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 18 – Jun 28 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Jul 29 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 25 – Mar 25 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 25 – Apr 25 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 8 – Jul 8 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Aug 8 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 25 – Jun 10 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Aug 24 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 18 – May 1 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Aug 29 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 25 – May 15 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Sep 8 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 11 – May 1 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Aug 8 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 25 – Jun 10 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 8 – Jul 24 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 8 – Nov 8 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 06710 is matched to the NOAA station Burlington, CT, 27 km away, at 505 ft elevation (82 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burlington, CT (used) | 505 ft | Apr 25 | Oct 18 |
| Meriden Markham Muni Ap, CT | 103 ft | Apr 26 | Oct 16 |
| Mt Carmel, CT | 180 ft | Apr 18 | Oct 26 |
| Ansonia 1 Ne, CT | 136 ft | Apr 25 | Oct 17 |
Frost dates near Waterbury
- Waterbury, CT 06701 · last Apr 26, first Oct 16
- Oakville, CT 06779 · last Apr 25, first Oct 18
- Wolcott, CT 06716 · last May 8, first Oct 5
- Middlebury, CT 06762 · last May 8, first Oct 5
- Watertown, CT 06795 · last May 8, first Oct 5
- Naugatuck, CT 06770 · last Apr 26, first Oct 16
- Prospect, CT 06712 · last May 8, first Oct 5
- Marion, CT 06444 · last Apr 26, first Oct 16
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Waterbury, CT?
- For ZIP code 06710, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 25, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Burlington, CT weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 10.
- When is the first frost in Waterbury, CT?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 18. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 4, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 06710?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 172 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.