Litchfield, CT frost dates
Last spring frostMay 8median date
First fall frostOct 5median date
Growing season150 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone6aZone 6a
How Litchfield compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Litchfield falls between April 24 and May 22, a 28-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 25 and October 21.
- The median last frost is 17 days later than the Connecticut median of Apr 21.
- Its 150-day growing season is longer than 4% of the 267 Connecticut places with a regular frost season (state median 178 days).
- The last frost is 9 days later than the zone 6a median of Apr 29. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 6a chart.
- The weather station records an average of 158 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Bristol, CT, 23 km away, the last frost here is 13 days later than there and the growing season is 26 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 24 |
| 50% (median) | May 8 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 22 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 25 |
| 50% (median) | October 5 |
| 90% (late) | October 21 |
Frost here means 32°F (0°C). A median date means half of years have their last frost earlier and half later.
Planting calendar for Litchfield, CT
Litchfield, CT frost dates — last frost May 8, first frost Oct 5, zone 6a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Feb 13 to Feb 27Transplant outside: Apr 10 to Apr 24
Start indoors: Feb 27 to Mar 13Transplant outside: May 22 to Jun 5
Start indoors: Feb 27 to Mar 13Transplant outside: May 22 to Jun 5
Start indoors: Mar 13 to Mar 27Transplant outside: May 15 to May 29
Start indoors: Mar 13 to Mar 27Transplant outside: Apr 17 to May 1Sow outdoors: Apr 10 to May 15Plant for fall: Aug 10 to Sep 7
Start indoors: Mar 13 to Mar 27Transplant outside: Apr 10 to Apr 24Sow outdoors: Apr 10 to Apr 24Plant for fall: Jul 27 to Aug 17
Start indoors: Mar 13 to Mar 27Transplant outside: Apr 24 to May 8Plant for fall: Jun 29 to Jul 20
Start indoors: Mar 13 to Mar 27Transplant outside: Apr 17 to May 1Plant for fall: Jun 29 to Jul 20
Start indoors: Mar 13 to Mar 27Transplant outside: Apr 24 to May 8Plant for fall: Jun 29 to Jul 20
Start indoors: Mar 27 to Apr 10Transplant outside: May 29 to Jun 12Sow outdoors: May 29 to Jun 12
Start indoors: Mar 27 to Apr 10Transplant outside: May 15 to May 29
Sow outdoors: Mar 27 to Apr 17Plant for fall: Jul 13 to Aug 3
Sow outdoors: Mar 27 to Apr 17Plant for fall: Aug 10 to Aug 31
Sow outdoors: Apr 3 to May 15Plant for fall: Aug 24 to Sep 14
Start indoors: Apr 10 to Apr 17Transplant outside: May 22 to May 29Sow outdoors: May 15 to May 29Plant for fall: Jul 20 to Aug 3
Start indoors: Apr 10 to Apr 17Sow outdoors: May 15 to May 29Plant for fall: Jul 27 to Aug 10
Start indoors: Apr 10 to Apr 17Sow outdoors: May 15 to May 29
Start indoors: Apr 10 to Apr 17Transplant outside: May 22 to Jun 5
Sow outdoors: Apr 17 to May 15Plant for fall: Jul 13 to Jul 27
Sow outdoors: Apr 17 to May 15Plant for fall: Jul 27 to Aug 10
Sow outdoors: Apr 17 to May 8
Sow outdoors: Apr 24 to May 22Plant for fall: Jul 27 to Aug 10
Sow outdoors: Apr 24 to May 15Plant for fall: Aug 10 to Aug 31
Sow outdoors: May 15 to Jun 5Plant for fall: Jul 20 to Aug 3
Sow outdoors: May 15 to May 29
Transplant outside: May 22 to Jun 12
Plant for fall: Sep 21 to Oct 26
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Litchfield, CT
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 13 – Feb 27 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | May 22 – Jun 5 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | May 22 – Jun 5 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | May 15 – May 29 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | Apr 17 – May 1 | Apr 10 – May 15 | Aug 10 – Sep 7 |
| Kale | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | Jul 27 – Aug 17 |
| Broccoli | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | Apr 24 – May 8 | — | Jun 29 – Jul 20 |
| Cabbage | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | Apr 17 – May 1 | — | Jun 29 – Jul 20 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | Apr 24 – May 8 | — | Jun 29 – Jul 20 |
| Okra | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | May 29 – Jun 12 | May 29 – Jun 12 | — |
| Basil | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | May 15 – May 29 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 27 – Apr 17 | Jul 13 – Aug 3 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 27 – Apr 17 | Aug 10 – Aug 31 |
| Radishes | — | — | Apr 3 – May 15 | Aug 24 – Sep 14 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 10 – Apr 17 | May 22 – May 29 | May 15 – May 29 | Jul 20 – Aug 3 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 10 – Apr 17 | — | May 15 – May 29 | Jul 27 – Aug 10 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 10 – Apr 17 | — | May 15 – May 29 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 10 – Apr 17 | May 22 – Jun 5 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 17 – May 15 | Jul 13 – Jul 27 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 17 – May 15 | Jul 27 – Aug 10 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 17 – May 8 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 24 – May 22 | Jul 27 – Aug 10 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 24 – May 15 | Aug 10 – Aug 31 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 15 – Jun 5 | Jul 20 – Aug 3 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 15 – May 29 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 22 – Jun 12 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 21 – Oct 26 |
Dates come from the median frost dates and common extension-service timing. Adjust for your soil temperature, microclimate and the varieties you grow.
About these dates
Based on 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for the Bakersville, CT weather station, 19 km away (elevation 686 ft (209 m)).
Frost dates near Litchfield
- Bantam May 8 · Oct 5
- Morris May 8 · Oct 5
- Northfield May 8 · Oct 5
- Lakeside May 8 · Oct 5
- Goshen May 3 · Oct 11
- Torrington May 8 · Oct 5
- Harwinton May 8 · Oct 5
- New Preston Marble Dale May 11 · Oct 4
- Thomaston Apr 25 · Oct 18
- Bethlehem May 8 · Oct 5
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Litchfield, CT?
The median last spring frost in Litchfield, CT is May 8. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 22, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Litchfield, CT?
The median first fall frost is October 5, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 25.
How long is the growing season in Litchfield, CT?
About 150 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Litchfield, CT?
Litchfield, CT is in USDA hardiness zone 6a.