Last frost date in Manchester, CT

Average last frost
April 17

Expect the last frost in Manchester around April 17. Frost after May 1 happens in only one year out of ten. The first fall frost usually arrives about October 26, which leaves 191 frost-free days. An early freeze before October 12 happens one year in ten.

Safe after (10% risk)
May 1
Average first frost
Oct 26
Frost-free season
191 days
Hard freeze (28°F) ends
Apr 3
Next 7 nights in Manchester

Frost likely Fri night, low 30°F

National Weather Service forecast, updated Oct 22, 12:24 UTC

  1. ThuOct 2236°possible frost
  2. FriOct 2330°frost
  3. SatOct 2430°frost
  4. SunOct 2535°possible frost
  5. MonOct 2642°
  6. TueOct 2739°
  7. WedOct 2841°
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecLast frost Apr 17First frost Oct 26191 frost-free daysBlue: chance of 32°F frost. Green: average frost-free season.JFMAMJJASOND191 frost-free days
Frost risk through the year at Hartford Brainard Field, 7.4 miles from Manchester.

Planting calendar for Manchester

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
TomatoesApr 24–May 8
PumpkinsMay 1–May 15
SunflowersApr 17–May 8
CucumbersMay 1–May 8
CornApr 24–May 8
Sweet potatoesMay 8–May 22
WatermelonMay 1–May 15
Green beansApr 24–May 15
ZucchiniApr 24–May 8
OkraMay 8–May 22
PeppersMay 1–May 15
BasilApr 24–May 8
Butternut squashApr 24–May 8
CantaloupeMay 1–May 15
EggplantMay 1–May 15
Cool-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PotatoesMar 20–Apr 3
OnionsMar 6–Mar 27
CarrotsMar 27–May 1
LettuceApr 3–Apr 24
BroccoliMar 20–Apr 3
BeetsMar 20–May 1
PeasMar 6–Mar 20
CabbageMar 20–Apr 3
RadishesMar 13–Apr 24
Brussels sproutsApr 3–Apr 17
SpinachMar 6–Mar 27
CilantroApr 3–Apr 24
KaleMar 20–Apr 3
Collard greensMar 20–Apr 3
TurnipsMar 20–Apr 3
DillApr 17–May 1
CeleryApr 24–May 1
CauliflowerApr 3–Apr 17
LeeksApr 3–Apr 17
Swiss chardApr 3–May 1
ParsleyApr 3–Apr 24
Fall bulbs and garlic
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Tulip bulbsOct 12–Nov 16
GarlicOct 5–Nov 9
Daffodil bulbsSep 28–Nov 9
Perennials
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
StrawberriesMar 20–Apr 3
AsparagusMar 20–Apr 3

Frost probabilities

ThresholdSpring, 90% chance laterSpring, 50%Spring, 10%Fall, 10% chance earlierFall, 50%Fall, 90%
Light frost, 32°FApr 1Apr 17May 1Oct 12Oct 26Nov 7
Hard freeze, 28°FMar 21Apr 3Apr 21Oct 22Nov 5Nov 20

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 Hartford Brainard Field (USW00014752) sits 7.4 miles from the center of Manchester at 19 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 Manchester, CT?

The average last frost date in Manchester is April 17, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. There is a 10% chance of frost after May 1.

When is the first frost in Manchester?

The first frost in fall usually comes around October 26. One year in ten it arrives before October 12.

How long is the growing season in Manchester?

About 191 days between the average last and first frost.

When should I plant tomatoes in Manchester?

Plant tomato seedlings outside from April 24 to May 8. Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks earlier.

Nearby in Connecticut

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