Last frost date in Bristol, CT

Average last frost
April 25

Expect the last frost in Bristol around April 25. Frost after May 10 happens in only one year out of ten. The first fall frost usually arrives about October 18, which leaves 172 frost-free days. An early freeze before October 4 happens one year in ten.

Safe after (10% risk)
May 10
Average first frost
Oct 18
Frost-free season
172 days
Hard freeze (28°F) ends
Apr 13
Next 7 nights in Bristol

Frost likely Fri night, low 31°F

National Weather Service forecast, updated Oct 22, 12:57 UTC

  1. ThuOct 2237°
  2. FriOct 2331°frost
  3. SatOct 2432°frost
  4. SunOct 2537°
  5. MonOct 2644°
  6. TueOct 2740°
  7. WedOct 2841°
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecLast frost Apr 25First frost Oct 18172 frost-free daysBlue: chance of 32°F frost. Green: average frost-free season.JFMAMJJASOND172 frost-free days
Frost risk through the year at Burlington, 7.8 miles from Bristol.

Planting calendar for Bristol

Windows count forward or back from the average frost dates above. Click a crop for dates across Connecticut.

Start indoorsPlant outSow outdoorsFall plantingAverage last and first frost
Warm-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
TomatoesMay 2–May 16
PumpkinsMay 9–May 23
SunflowersApr 25–May 16
CucumbersMay 9–May 16
CornMay 2–May 16
Sweet potatoesMay 16–May 30
WatermelonMay 9–May 23
Green beansMay 2–May 23
ZucchiniMay 2–May 16
OkraMay 16–May 30
PeppersMay 9–May 23
BasilMay 2–May 16
Butternut squashMay 2–May 16
CantaloupeMay 9–May 23
EggplantMay 9–May 23
Cool-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PotatoesMar 28–Apr 11
OnionsMar 14–Apr 4
CarrotsApr 4–May 9
LettuceApr 11–May 2
BroccoliMar 28–Apr 11
BeetsMar 28–May 9
PeasMar 14–Mar 28
CabbageMar 28–Apr 11
RadishesMar 21–May 2
Brussels sproutsApr 11–Apr 25
SpinachMar 14–Apr 4
CilantroApr 11–May 2
KaleMar 28–Apr 11
Collard greensMar 28–Apr 11
TurnipsMar 28–Apr 11
DillApr 25–May 9
CeleryMay 2–May 9
CauliflowerApr 11–Apr 25
LeeksApr 11–Apr 25
Swiss chardApr 11–May 9
ParsleyApr 11–May 2
Fall bulbs and garlic
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Tulip bulbsOct 4–Nov 8
GarlicSep 27–Nov 1
Daffodil bulbsSep 20–Nov 1
Perennials
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
StrawberriesMar 28–Apr 11
AsparagusMar 28–Apr 11

Frost probabilities

ThresholdSpring, 90% chance laterSpring, 50%Spring, 10%Fall, 10% chance earlierFall, 50%Fall, 90%
Light frost, 32°FApr 12Apr 25May 10Oct 4Oct 18Nov 1
Hard freeze, 28°FApr 2Apr 13Apr 29Oct 14Oct 30Nov 14

Read the spring 10% column as the date after which only one year in ten still gets frost. That is the safer date for tomatoes, peppers and basil.

Where these numbers come from

NOAA station Burlington (USC00060973) sits 7.8 miles from the center of Bristol at 505 feet. Its averages cover 1991 to 2020. Low spots, valleys and open fields can keep getting frost a week or two after the station stops; city centers and lakeshores usually get less of it.

Questions

When is the last frost in Bristol, CT?

The average last frost date in Bristol is April 25, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. There is a 10% chance of frost after May 10.

When is the first frost in Bristol?

The first frost in fall usually comes around October 18. One year in ten it arrives before October 4.

How long is the growing season in Bristol?

About 172 days between the average last and first frost.

When should I plant tomatoes in Bristol?

Plant tomato seedlings outside from May 2 to May 16. Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks earlier.

Nearby in Connecticut

All 25 cities in Connecticut