Frost dates for 06724Waterbury, CT
The average last spring frost in Waterbury is April 26 and the average first fall frost is October 16, giving a typical growing season of about 175 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 26
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 16
- Growing season
- 175 days
Safer after May 9 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 4 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 176 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 7 · May 21 | Sep 26 · Oct 6 · Oct 19 | 152 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 11 · Apr 26 · May 9 | Oct 4 · Oct 16 · Nov 1 | 175 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 30 · Apr 10 · Apr 28 | Oct 14 · Oct 30 · Nov 12 | 198 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 26 – Jun 1 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 12 – Jun 26 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 26 – Apr 26 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 26 – Jun 26 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 12 – May 11 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 26 – Jun 26 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 26 – Jul 6 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 12 – Jun 26 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 26 – Jun 26 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 12 – Jul 29 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 12 – Jun 26 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 26 – Jun 26 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 19 – Jun 11 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – May 11 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – May 26 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 12 – Mar 11 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – May 11 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 8 – Apr 11 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – May 11 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 16 – Jun 26 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Jul 27 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 26 – Mar 26 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – Apr 26 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 6 – Jul 6 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 6 – Aug 6 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – Jun 11 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 6 – Aug 22 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 19 – May 2 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 23 – Aug 27 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – May 16 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 6 – Sep 6 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – May 2 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Aug 6 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 26 – Jun 11 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 6 – Jul 22 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 6 – Nov 6 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 06724 is matched to the NOAA station Meriden Markham Muni Ap, CT, 19.4 km away, at 103 ft elevation (169 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meriden Markham Muni Ap, CT (used) | 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 |
| Burlington, CT | 505 ft | Apr 25 | Oct 18 |
Frost dates near Waterbury
- Waterbury, CT 06701 · last Apr 26, first Oct 16
- Oakville, CT 06779 · last Apr 25, first Oct 18
- Middlebury, CT 06762 · last May 8, first Oct 5
- Wolcott, CT 06716 · last May 8, first Oct 5
- Naugatuck, CT 06770 · last Apr 26, first Oct 16
- Watertown, CT 06795 · last May 8, first Oct 5
- 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 06724, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 26, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Meriden Markham Muni Ap, CT weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 9.
- When is the first frost in Waterbury, CT?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 16. 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 06724?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 175 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.