Frost Dates for New Britain, CT

In New Britain, CT, the average last spring frost is around Apr 17 and the average first fall frost around Oct 26, for a growing season of about 191 days. For frost-tender plants, wait until May 1, when the chance of frost drops to 10%.

Average last frostApr 1750% chance of frost after this date
Safe to plantMay 1only a 10% chance of frost after
Average first frostOct 2650% chance of frost before this date
Growing season191 daysfrost-free in an average year

Based on NOAA 1991–2020 records from the Hartford Brainard Fld, CT weather station, 8 miles away, elevation 19 ft. Frost can come earlier in low spots and valleys and later near cities and large lakes.

Frost probability by date

Chance of a 32°F frost after the spring date, or before the fall date.

ChanceLast spring frostFirst fall frost
10%May 1Oct 12
20%Apr 27Oct 16
30%Apr 23Oct 20
40%Apr 20Oct 23
50%Apr 17Oct 26
60%Apr 14Oct 29
70%Apr 11Nov 1
80%Apr 6Nov 3
90%Apr 1Nov 7

Light frost vs. hard freeze

Average (50%) dates for each temperature. Tender plants are damaged at 36°F; most hardy crops survive until 28°F.

TemperatureLast in springFirst in fall
Light frost (36°F)Apr 30Oct 14
Frost / freeze (32°F)Apr 17Oct 26
Hard freeze (28°F)Apr 3Nov 5

Planting calendar for New Britain

Start indoors Plant outside Fall planting
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Tomatoes
Indoors Feb 20 – Mar 6
Transplant Apr 24 – May 8
Peppers
Indoors Feb 6 – Feb 20
Transplant May 1 – May 15
Eggplant
Indoors Feb 6 – Feb 20
Transplant May 1 – May 15
Basil
Indoors Mar 6 – Mar 20
Transplant Apr 24 – May 8
Cucumbers
Indoors Mar 20 – Mar 27
Sow or transplant Apr 24 – May 8
Zucchini and summer squash
Indoors Mar 20 – Mar 27
Sow or transplant Apr 24 – May 8
Pumpkins and winter squash
Sow Apr 24 – May 8
Watermelons and melons
Indoors Mar 20 – Mar 27
Sow or transplant May 1 – May 15
Green beans
Sow Apr 24 – May 8
Sweet corn
Sow Apr 24 – May 8
Lettuce
Indoors Mar 6 – Mar 20
Sow or transplant Mar 20 – Apr 3
Fall sowing Aug 31 – Sep 28
Spinach
Sow Mar 6 – Mar 27
Fall sowing Aug 31 – Sep 21
Peas
Sow Mar 6 – Mar 20
Fall sowing Aug 17 – Aug 31
Kale
Indoors Feb 20 – Mar 6
Sow or transplant Mar 20 – Apr 3
Fall sowing Aug 17 – Sep 14
Broccoli
Indoors Feb 20 – Mar 6
Transplant Apr 3 – Apr 17
Fall sowing Aug 3 – Aug 17
Cabbage
Indoors Feb 20 – Mar 6
Transplant Mar 27 – Apr 10
Fall sowing Aug 3 – Aug 17
Carrots
Sow Mar 27 – Apr 17
Fall sowing Aug 3 – Aug 17
Radishes
Sow Mar 13 – Apr 3
Fall sowing Sep 14 – Oct 5
Beets
Sow Mar 27 – Apr 17
Fall sowing Aug 17 – Aug 31
Onions (sets or transplants)
Indoors Jan 23 – Feb 6
Plant Mar 20 – Apr 3
Potatoes
Plant Mar 27 – Apr 10
Garlic
Plant Oct 26 – Nov 23

Based on the average last frost (Apr 17) and first frost (Oct 26). The dashed lines mark those dates. Seed packets list days to maturity; adjust for your varieties.

Nearby cities

BristolHartfordMeridenMiddletownWaterburyNaugatuckTorringtonNew HavenAll Connecticut towns