Middletown, CT frost dates
Last spring frostApr 26median date
First fall frostOct 16median date
Growing season173 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone6bZone 6b
How Middletown compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Middletown falls between April 11 and May 9, a 28-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 4 and November 1.
- The median last frost is 5 days later than the Connecticut median of Apr 21.
- Its 173-day growing season is longer than 30% of the 267 Connecticut places with a regular frost season (state median 178 days).
- The last frost is 4 days later than the zone 6b median of Apr 22. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 6b chart.
- The weather station records an average of 129 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Middletown shares its weather station with Meriden, CT, 12 km away, so the two have the same frost dates.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 11 |
| 50% (median) | April 26 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 9 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 4 |
| 50% (median) | October 16 |
| 90% (late) | November 1 |
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 Middletown, CT
Middletown, CT frost dates — last frost Apr 26, first frost Oct 16, zone 6b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Feb 1 to Feb 15Transplant outside: Mar 29 to Apr 12
Start indoors: Feb 15 to Mar 1Transplant outside: May 10 to May 24
Start indoors: Feb 15 to Mar 1Transplant outside: May 10 to May 24
Start indoors: Mar 1 to Mar 15Transplant outside: May 3 to May 17
Start indoors: Mar 1 to Mar 15Transplant outside: Apr 5 to Apr 19Sow outdoors: Mar 29 to May 3Plant for fall: Aug 21 to Sep 18
Start indoors: Mar 1 to Mar 15Transplant outside: Mar 29 to Apr 12Sow outdoors: Mar 29 to Apr 12Plant for fall: Aug 7 to Aug 28
Start indoors: Mar 1 to Mar 15Transplant outside: Apr 12 to Apr 26Plant for fall: Jul 10 to Jul 31
Start indoors: Mar 1 to Mar 15Transplant outside: Apr 5 to Apr 19Plant for fall: Jul 10 to Jul 31
Start indoors: Mar 1 to Mar 15Transplant outside: Apr 12 to Apr 26Plant for fall: Jul 10 to Jul 31
Start indoors: Mar 15 to Mar 29Transplant outside: May 17 to May 31Sow outdoors: May 17 to May 31
Start indoors: Mar 15 to Mar 29Transplant outside: May 3 to May 17
Sow outdoors: Mar 15 to Apr 5Plant for fall: Jul 24 to Aug 14
Sow outdoors: Mar 15 to Apr 5Plant for fall: Aug 21 to Sep 11
Sow outdoors: Mar 22 to May 3Plant for fall: Sep 4 to Sep 25
Start indoors: Mar 29 to Apr 5Transplant outside: May 10 to May 17Sow outdoors: May 3 to May 17Plant for fall: Jul 31 to Aug 14
Start indoors: Mar 29 to Apr 5Sow outdoors: May 3 to May 17Plant for fall: Aug 7 to Aug 21
Start indoors: Mar 29 to Apr 5Sow outdoors: May 3 to May 17
Start indoors: Mar 29 to Apr 5Transplant outside: May 10 to May 24
Sow outdoors: Apr 5 to May 3Plant for fall: Jul 24 to Aug 7
Sow outdoors: Apr 5 to May 3Plant for fall: Aug 7 to Aug 21
Sow outdoors: Apr 5 to Apr 26
Sow outdoors: Apr 12 to May 10Plant for fall: Aug 7 to Aug 21
Sow outdoors: Apr 12 to May 3Plant for fall: Aug 21 to Sep 11
Sow outdoors: May 3 to May 24Plant for fall: Jul 31 to Aug 14
Sow outdoors: May 3 to May 17
Transplant outside: May 10 to May 31
Plant for fall: Oct 2 to Nov 6
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Middletown, CT
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 1 – Feb 15 | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | May 10 – May 24 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | May 10 – May 24 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | May 3 – May 17 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | Mar 29 – May 3 | Aug 21 – Sep 18 |
| Kale | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | Aug 7 – Aug 28 |
| Broccoli | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | — | Jul 10 – Jul 31 |
| Cabbage | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | — | Jul 10 – Jul 31 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | — | Jul 10 – Jul 31 |
| Okra | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | May 17 – May 31 | May 17 – May 31 | — |
| Basil | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | May 3 – May 17 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 15 – Apr 5 | Jul 24 – Aug 14 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 15 – Apr 5 | Aug 21 – Sep 11 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 22 – May 3 | Sep 4 – Sep 25 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 29 – Apr 5 | May 10 – May 17 | May 3 – May 17 | Jul 31 – Aug 14 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 29 – Apr 5 | — | May 3 – May 17 | Aug 7 – Aug 21 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 29 – Apr 5 | — | May 3 – May 17 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 29 – Apr 5 | May 10 – May 24 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 5 – May 3 | Jul 24 – Aug 7 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 5 – May 3 | Aug 7 – Aug 21 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 5 – Apr 26 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 12 – May 10 | Aug 7 – Aug 21 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 12 – May 3 | Aug 21 – Sep 11 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 3 – May 24 | Jul 31 – Aug 14 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 3 – May 17 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 10 – May 31 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 2 – Nov 6 |
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 Meriden Markham Muni Ap, CT weather station, 15 km away (elevation 102 ft (31 m)).
ZIP codes in Middletown: 06457 06459
Frost dates near Middletown
- Rockfall Apr 26 · Oct 16
- Portland Apr 17 · Oct 26
- Cromwell Apr 17 · Oct 26
- Middlefield Apr 26 · Oct 16
- East Berlin Apr 26 · Oct 16
- Cobalt Apr 17 · Oct 26
- Middle Haddam Apr 17 · Oct 26
- Berlin Apr 26 · Oct 16
- Durham Apr 26 · Oct 16
- Rocky Hill Apr 17 · Oct 26
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Middletown, CT?
The median last spring frost in Middletown, CT is April 26. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 9, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Middletown, CT?
The median first fall frost is October 16, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 4.
How long is the growing season in Middletown, CT?
About 173 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Middletown, CT?
Middletown, CT is in USDA hardiness zone 6b.