Milford, CT frost dates
Last spring frostApr 5median date
First fall frostNov 6median date
Growing season215 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone7aZone 7a
How Milford compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Milford falls between March 25 and April 17, a 23-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 25 and November 20.
- The median last frost is 16 days earlier than the Connecticut median of Apr 21.
- Its 215-day growing season is longer than 94% of the 267 Connecticut places with a regular frost season (state median 178 days).
- The last frost is 11 days earlier than the zone 7a median of Apr 16. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 7a chart.
- The weather station records an average of 92 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with West Haven, CT, 10 km away, the last frost here is 12 days earlier than there and the growing season is 22 days longer.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 25 |
| 50% (median) | April 5 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 17 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 25 |
| 50% (median) | November 6 |
| 90% (late) | November 20 |
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 Milford, CT
Milford, CT frost dates — last frost Apr 5, first frost Nov 6, zone 7a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 11 to Jan 25Transplant outside: Mar 8 to Mar 22
Start indoors: Jan 25 to Feb 8Transplant outside: Apr 19 to May 3
Start indoors: Jan 25 to Feb 8Transplant outside: Apr 19 to May 3
Start indoors: Feb 8 to Feb 22Transplant outside: Apr 12 to Apr 26
Start indoors: Feb 8 to Feb 22Transplant outside: Mar 15 to Mar 29Sow outdoors: Mar 8 to Apr 12Plant for fall: Sep 11 to Oct 9
Start indoors: Feb 8 to Feb 22Transplant outside: Mar 8 to Mar 22Sow outdoors: Mar 8 to Mar 22Plant for fall: Aug 28 to Sep 18
Start indoors: Feb 8 to Feb 22Transplant outside: Mar 22 to Apr 5Plant for fall: Jul 31 to Aug 21
Start indoors: Feb 8 to Feb 22Transplant outside: Mar 15 to Mar 29Plant for fall: Jul 31 to Aug 21
Start indoors: Feb 8 to Feb 22Transplant outside: Mar 22 to Apr 5Plant for fall: Jul 31 to Aug 21
Start indoors: Feb 22 to Mar 8Transplant outside: Apr 26 to May 10Sow outdoors: Apr 26 to May 10
Start indoors: Feb 22 to Mar 8Transplant outside: Apr 12 to Apr 26
Sow outdoors: Feb 22 to Mar 15Plant for fall: Aug 14 to Sep 4
Sow outdoors: Feb 22 to Mar 15Plant for fall: Sep 11 to Oct 2
Sow outdoors: Mar 1 to Apr 12Plant for fall: Sep 25 to Oct 16
Start indoors: Mar 8 to Mar 15Transplant outside: Apr 19 to Apr 26Sow outdoors: Apr 12 to Apr 26Plant for fall: Aug 21 to Sep 4
Start indoors: Mar 8 to Mar 15Sow outdoors: Apr 12 to Apr 26Plant for fall: Aug 28 to Sep 11
Start indoors: Mar 8 to Mar 15Sow outdoors: Apr 12 to Apr 26
Start indoors: Mar 8 to Mar 15Transplant outside: Apr 19 to May 3
Sow outdoors: Mar 15 to Apr 12Plant for fall: Aug 14 to Aug 28
Sow outdoors: Mar 15 to Apr 12Plant for fall: Aug 28 to Sep 11
Sow outdoors: Mar 15 to Apr 5
Sow outdoors: Mar 22 to Apr 19Plant for fall: Aug 28 to Sep 11
Sow outdoors: Mar 22 to Apr 12Plant for fall: Sep 11 to Oct 2
Sow outdoors: Apr 12 to May 3Plant for fall: Aug 21 to Sep 4
Sow outdoors: Apr 12 to Apr 26
Transplant outside: Apr 19 to May 10
Plant for fall: Oct 23 to Nov 27
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Milford, CT
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 11 – Jan 25 | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 25 – Feb 8 | Apr 19 – May 3 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 25 – Feb 8 | Apr 19 – May 3 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | Mar 8 – Apr 12 | Sep 11 – Oct 9 |
| Kale | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | Aug 28 – Sep 18 |
| Broccoli | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | — | Jul 31 – Aug 21 |
| Cabbage | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | — | Jul 31 – Aug 21 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | — | Jul 31 – Aug 21 |
| Okra | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Apr 26 – May 10 | Apr 26 – May 10 | — |
| Basil | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 22 – Mar 15 | Aug 14 – Sep 4 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 22 – Mar 15 | Sep 11 – Oct 2 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 1 – Apr 12 | Sep 25 – Oct 16 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 8 – Mar 15 | Apr 19 – Apr 26 | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | Aug 21 – Sep 4 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 8 – Mar 15 | — | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | Aug 28 – Sep 11 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 8 – Mar 15 | — | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 8 – Mar 15 | Apr 19 – May 3 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 15 – Apr 12 | Aug 14 – Aug 28 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 15 – Apr 12 | Aug 28 – Sep 11 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 15 – Apr 5 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 22 – Apr 19 | Aug 28 – Sep 11 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 22 – Apr 12 | Sep 11 – Oct 2 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 12 – May 3 | Aug 21 – Sep 4 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 19 – May 10 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 23 – Nov 27 |
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 Bridgeport Sikorsky Mem Ap, CT weather station, 9 km away (elevation 7 ft (2 m)).
ZIP codes in Milford: 06460 06461
Frost dates near Milford
- Stratford Apr 5 · Nov 6
- Orange Apr 25 · Oct 17
- West Haven Apr 17 · Oct 27
- Shelton Apr 25 · Oct 17
- Derby Apr 25 · Oct 17
- Bridgeport Apr 5 · Nov 6
- Trumbull Apr 5 · Nov 6
- Ansonia Apr 25 · Oct 17
- New Haven Apr 17 · Oct 27
- Fairfield Apr 5 · Nov 6
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Milford, CT?
The median last spring frost in Milford, CT is April 5. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 17, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Milford, CT?
The median first fall frost is November 6, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 25.
How long is the growing season in Milford, CT?
About 215 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Milford, CT?
Milford, CT is in USDA hardiness zone 7a.