Last frost date in Waterbury, CT

Average last frost
April 26

Expect the last frost in Waterbury around April 26. Frost after May 9 happens in only one year out of ten. The first fall frost usually arrives about October 16, which leaves 175 frost-free days. An early freeze before October 4 happens one year in ten.

Safe after (10% risk)
May 9
Average first frost
Oct 16
Frost-free season
175 days
Hard freeze (28°F) ends
Apr 10
Next 7 nights in Waterbury

Frost likely Fri night, low 31°F

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

  1. ThuOct 2236°possible frost
  2. FriOct 2331°frost
  3. SatOct 2431°frost
  4. SunOct 2536°possible frost
  5. MonOct 2643°
  6. TueOct 2739°
  7. WedOct 2841°
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecLast frost Apr 26First frost Oct 16175 frost-free daysBlue: chance of 32°F frost. Green: average frost-free season.JFMAMJJASOND175 frost-free days
Frost risk through the year at Meriden Markham Municipal Airport, 11.3 miles from Waterbury.

Planting calendar for Waterbury

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 3–May 17
PumpkinsMay 10–May 24
SunflowersApr 26–May 17
CucumbersMay 10–May 17
CornMay 3–May 17
Sweet potatoesMay 17–May 31
WatermelonMay 10–May 24
Green beansMay 3–May 24
ZucchiniMay 3–May 17
OkraMay 17–May 31
PeppersMay 10–May 24
BasilMay 3–May 17
Butternut squashMay 3–May 17
CantaloupeMay 10–May 24
EggplantMay 10–May 24
Cool-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PotatoesMar 29–Apr 12
OnionsMar 15–Apr 5
CarrotsApr 5–May 10
LettuceApr 12–May 3
BroccoliMar 29–Apr 12
BeetsMar 29–May 10
PeasMar 15–Mar 29
CabbageMar 29–Apr 12
RadishesMar 22–May 3
Brussels sproutsApr 12–Apr 26
SpinachMar 15–Apr 5
CilantroApr 12–May 3
KaleMar 29–Apr 12
Collard greensMar 29–Apr 12
TurnipsMar 29–Apr 12
DillApr 26–May 10
CeleryMay 3–May 10
CauliflowerApr 12–Apr 26
LeeksApr 12–Apr 26
Swiss chardApr 12–May 10
ParsleyApr 12–May 3
Fall bulbs and garlic
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Tulip bulbsOct 2–Nov 6
GarlicSep 25–Oct 30
Daffodil bulbsSep 18–Oct 30
Perennials
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
StrawberriesMar 29–Apr 12
AsparagusMar 29–Apr 12

Frost probabilities

ThresholdSpring, 90% chance laterSpring, 50%Spring, 10%Fall, 10% chance earlierFall, 50%Fall, 90%
Light frost, 32°FApr 11Apr 26May 9Oct 4Oct 16Nov 1
Hard freeze, 28°FMar 30Apr 10Apr 28Oct 14Oct 30Nov 12

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 Meriden Markham Municipal Airport (USW00054788) sits 11.3 miles from the center of Waterbury at 103 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 Waterbury, CT?

The average last frost date in Waterbury is April 26, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. There is a 10% chance of frost after May 9.

When is the first frost in Waterbury?

The first frost in fall usually comes around October 16. One year in ten it arrives before October 4.

How long is the growing season in Waterbury?

About 175 days between the average last and first frost.

When should I plant tomatoes in Waterbury?

Plant tomato seedlings outside from May 3 to May 17. Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks earlier.

Nearby in Connecticut

All 25 cities in Connecticut