Frost dates for 06896Redding, CT
The average last spring frost in Redding is May 1 and the average first fall frost is October 14, giving a typical growing season of about 166 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 1
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 14
- Growing season
- 166 days
Safer after May 16 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 1 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 181 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 30 · May 12 · May 27 | Sep 21 · Oct 2 · Oct 16 | 143 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 18 · May 1 · May 16 | Oct 1 · Oct 14 · Oct 29 | 166 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 3 · Apr 18 · May 4 | Oct 11 · Oct 27 · Nov 8 | 191 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Redding
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 31 – Jun 6 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 17 – Jun 24 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 31 – May 1 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 31 – Jul 1 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 17 – May 16 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 31 – Jul 1 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 31 – Jul 4 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 17 – Jul 1 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 31 – Jul 1 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 17 – Jul 27 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 17 – Jun 24 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 31 – Jul 1 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 24 – Jun 16 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – May 16 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – May 31 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 17 – Mar 16 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 17 – May 16 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 13 – Apr 16 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 17 – May 16 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 14 – Jun 24 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Jul 25 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 3 – Mar 31 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – May 1 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 4 – Jul 4 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Aug 4 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – Jun 16 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Aug 20 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – May 7 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 21 – Aug 25 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – May 21 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Sep 4 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 17 – May 7 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 27 – Aug 4 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 1 – Jun 16 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 4 – Jul 20 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 4 – Nov 4 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 06896 is matched to the NOAA station Danbury Muni Ap, CT, 13.8 km away, at 457 ft elevation (104 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Danbury Muni Ap, CT (used) | 457 ft | May 1 | Oct 14 |
| Danbury, CT | 405 ft | Apr 20 | Oct 20 |
| Stamford 5 N, CT | 190 ft | Apr 17 | Oct 23 |
| Bridgeport Sikorsky Mem Ap, CT | 5 ft | Apr 5 | Nov 6 |
Frost dates near Redding
- Georgetown, CT 06829 · last May 1, first Oct 14
- Danbury, CT 06814 · last Apr 20, first Oct 20
- Norwalk, CT 06852 · last Apr 20, first Oct 20
- Redding Center, CT 06875 · last Apr 20, first Oct 20
- Westport, CT 06888 · last Apr 20, first Oct 20
- Redding Ridge, CT 06876 · last May 1, first Oct 14
- Weston, CT 06883 · last Apr 17, first Oct 23
- Easton, CT 06612 · last Apr 20, first Oct 20
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Redding, CT?
- For ZIP code 06896, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 1, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Danbury Muni Ap, CT weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 16.
- When is the first frost in Redding, CT?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 14. 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 06896?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 166 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.