Frost dates for 06796West Cornwall, CT
The average last spring frost in West Cornwall is May 3 and the average first fall frost is October 11, giving a typical growing season of about 161 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 3
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 11
- Growing season
- 161 days
Safer after May 17 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 1 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 183 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) | May 2 · May 15 · May 28 | Sep 20 · Oct 2 · Oct 14 | 139 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 21 · May 3 · May 17 | Oct 1 · Oct 11 · Oct 28 | 161 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 7 · Apr 20 · May 6 | Oct 9 · Oct 25 · Nov 8 | 187 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for West Cornwall
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 | Apr 2 – Jun 8 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 19 – Jun 21 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 2 – May 3 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 2 – Jul 3 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 19 – May 18 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 2 – Jul 3 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 2 – Jul 1 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 19 – Jul 3 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 2 – Jul 3 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 19 – Jul 24 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 19 – Jun 21 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 2 – Jul 3 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 26 – Jun 18 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – May 18 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – Jun 2 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 19 – Mar 18 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 19 – May 18 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 15 – Apr 18 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 19 – May 18 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 11 – Jun 21 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Jul 22 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 2 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – May 3 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 1 – Jul 1 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Aug 1 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – Jun 18 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Aug 17 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – May 9 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Aug 22 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – May 23 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Sep 1 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 19 – May 9 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 24 – Aug 1 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 3 – Jun 18 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 1 – Jul 17 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 1 – Nov 1 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 06796 is matched to the NOAA station Norfolk 2 Sw, CT, 14.7 km away, at 1,340 ft elevation (251 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Norfolk 2 Sw, CT (used) | 1,340 ft | May 3 | Oct 11 |
| Falls Village, CT | 550 ft | May 11 | Oct 4 |
| Bakersville, CT | 686 ft | May 8 | Oct 5 |
| Barkhamsted, CT | 710 ft | Apr 30 | Oct 17 |
Frost dates near West Cornwall
- Cornwall, CT 06753 · last May 11, first Oct 4
- Cornwall Bridge, CT 06754 · last May 11, first Oct 4
- Goshen, CT 06756 · last May 3, first Oct 11
- Falls Village, CT 06031 · last May 11, first Oct 4
- Sharon, CT 06069 · last May 11, first Oct 4
- Lakeville, CT 06039 · last May 11, first Oct 4
- Winchester Center, CT 06094 · last May 3, first Oct 11
- Salisbury, CT 06068 · last May 11, first Oct 4
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in West Cornwall, CT?
- For ZIP code 06796, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 3, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Norfolk 2 Sw, CT weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 17.
- When is the first frost in West Cornwall, CT?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 11. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 1, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 06796?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 161 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.