Frost Dates for Storrs Mansfield, CT 06268
Last spring frost May 4 · First fall frost October 9 · 158 frost-free days · USDA Zone 6b
ZIP 06268 has about 11,800 people, the largest of 2 ZIP codes in Storrs Mansfield.
Moderate season: 158 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 21–May 17 (26 days). Fall frost risk spans September 26–October 23 (27 days).
Frost probability for 06268
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | May 17 | May 4 | April 21 |
| Fall (first frost) | September 26 | October 9 | October 23 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at SOUTHBRIDGE 3 SW (32.4 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Frost dates by ZIP code in Storrs Mansfield, CT
| ZIP | Last spring frost (50%) | First fall frost (50%) | Zone |
|---|---|---|---|
| 06268 | May 4 | October 9 | 6b |
| 06269 | May 4 | October 9 | 6b |
Which crops fit a 158-day season in Storrs Mansfield
In Storrs Mansfield (158 frost-free days, a moderate season), 32 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 23 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant out / sow | Days you have | Verdict | Last sow date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Mar 30 | May 18–May 25 | 116 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 116 available after May 18. | Jun 9 |
| Pepper | Mar 23 | May 18–May 25 | 116 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 116 available after May 18. | Jun 14 |
| Lettuce | Mar 9 | Apr 6–Apr 13 | 193 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 6 and again by Aug 18; both mature before Oct 16. | Aug 18 |
| Carrots | — | Apr 13–Apr 20 | 200 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 200 available after Apr 13. | Aug 7 |
| Cucumber | Apr 13 | May 18–May 25 | 130 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 130 available after May 18. | Jul 13 |
| Beans | — | May 11–May 25 | 144 | two-plantings: Plant May 11 and again by Jul 20; both mature before Oct 2. | Jul 20 |
| Peas | — | Mar 9–May 18 | 221 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 221 available after Mar 9. | Jul 29 |
| Zucchini | Apr 20 | May 18–May 25 | 130 | two-plantings: Plant May 18 and again by Jul 18; both mature before Sep 25. | Jul 18 |
| Onion | Feb 9 | Apr 6–Apr 20 | 193 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 193 available after Apr 6. | — |
| Spinach | — | Mar 9–Apr 27 | 235 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 9 and again by Sep 6; both mature before Oct 30. | Sep 6 |
| Kale | Feb 23 | Apr 6–Apr 20 | 207 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 6 and again by Aug 22; both mature before Oct 30. | Aug 22 |
| Broccoli | Mar 9 | Apr 6–Apr 20 | 193 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 193 available after Apr 6. | Jul 14 |
| Cabbage | Mar 9 | Apr 6–Apr 20 | 207 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 207 available after Apr 6. | Aug 7 |
| Radish | — | Mar 9–Jun 1 | 221 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 9 and again by Sep 7; both mature before Oct 16. | Sep 7 |
| Beets | — | Mar 9–Jun 1 | 221 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 9 and again by Aug 8; both mature before Oct 16. | Aug 8 |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 20–Apr 27 | 179 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 179 available after Apr 20. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 9 | 263 | overwinter: Plant Oct 9 to Oct 30; harvest the following summer. | Oct 30 |
| Strawberry | — | Mar 30–May 25 | 214 | perennial: A perennial: plant Mar 30; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Apr 6 | May 11–May 18 | 130 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 130 available after May 11. | Jun 21 |
| Pumpkin | Apr 20 | May 18–May 18 | 123 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 123 available after May 18. | May 27 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 23 | Apr 27–May 11 | 172 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 172 available after Apr 27. | Jul 19 |
| Swiss Chard | Mar 9 | Apr 20–Apr 20 | 179 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 20 and again by Aug 8; both mature before Oct 16. | Aug 8 |
| Arugula | — | Mar 9–Jun 1 | 235 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 9 and again by Sep 6; both mature before Oct 30. | Sep 6 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Mar 9 | Apr 6–Apr 20 | 207 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 207 available after Apr 6. | Jul 8 |
| Butternut Squash | Apr 20 | May 18–May 25 | 123 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 123 available after May 18. | May 27 |
| Eggplant | Mar 16 | May 18–May 25 | 116 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 116 available after May 18. | Jun 19 |
| Okra | Apr 6 | May 11–May 18 | 137 | two-plantings: Plant May 11 and again by Jul 18; both mature before Sep 25. | Jul 18 |
| Basil | Mar 30 | May 25–May 25 | 123 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 123 available after May 25. | Jul 13 |
| Cilantro | — | Apr 6–Apr 27 | 193 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 6 and again by Aug 13; both mature before Oct 16. | Aug 13 |
| Parsley | Feb 23 | May 11–May 18 | 158 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 158 available after May 11. | Jul 24 |
| Celery | Feb 23 | May 11–May 25 | 158 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 158 available after May 11. | Jun 4 |
| Scallions | Feb 23 | Apr 6–Apr 20 | 207 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 6 and again by Aug 17; both mature before Oct 30. | Aug 17 |
| Turnip | — | Apr 6–Apr 20 | 207 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 6 and again by Aug 27; both mature before Oct 30. | Aug 27 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 23–Apr 6 | 221 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 23 and again by Aug 22; both mature before Oct 30. | Aug 22 |
| Bok Choy | Apr 6 | Apr 27–May 4 | 172 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 27 and again by Aug 18; both mature before Oct 16. | Aug 18 |
| Collards | Feb 23 | Apr 6–Apr 20 | 207 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 6 and again by Aug 17; both mature before Oct 30. | Aug 17 |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 20 | May 18–May 25 | 116 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 116 available after May 18. | Jun 4 |
| Chives | Feb 9 | May 11–May 18 | 172 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 172 available after May 11. | — |
| Dill | — | Mar 9–Jun 1 | 221 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 9 and again by Aug 8; both mature before Oct 16. | Aug 8 |
| Oregano | Feb 23 | May 11–May 18 | 172 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 172 available after May 11. | — |
| Rosemary | Feb 9 | May 11–May 18 | 158 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 158 available after May 11. | — |
| Sage | Mar 9 | May 11–May 18 | 172 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 172 available after May 11. | — |
| Thyme | Feb 23 | May 11–May 18 | 172 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 172 available after May 11. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 23 | Apr 20–May 4 | 179 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 20 and again by Aug 13; both mature before Oct 16. | Aug 13 |
| Cosmos | Apr 6 | May 4–May 18 | 144 | two-plantings: Plant May 4 and again by Jul 13; both mature before Sep 25. | Jul 13 |
| Lavender | Feb 9 | May 4–May 18 | 179 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 179 available after May 4. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 23 | May 4–May 11 | 144 | two-plantings: Plant May 4 and again by Jul 23; both mature before Sep 25. | Jul 23 |
| Melons | Apr 20 | May 18–May 25 | 116 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 116 available after May 18. | Jun 4 |
| Mint | — | May 4–May 18 | 179 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 179 available after May 4. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Apr 6 | May 4–May 11 | 144 | two-plantings: Plant May 4 and again by Jul 18; both mature before Sep 25. | Jul 18 |
| Pole Beans | — | May 11–May 25 | 137 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 137 available after May 11. | Jul 8 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Apr 20 | May 18–May 25 | 123 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 123 available after May 18. | Jun 6 |
| Sunflowers | — | May 4–May 18 | 144 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 144 available after May 4. | Jul 3 |
| Tomatillos | Mar 9 | May 11–May 18 | 123 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 123 available after May 11. | Jun 14 |
| Watermelon | Apr 20 | May 11–May 18 | 123 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 123 available after May 11. | Jun 9 |
| Yellow Squash | Apr 20 | May 18–May 25 | 130 | two-plantings: Plant May 18 and again by Jul 18; both mature before Sep 25. | Jul 18 |
| Zinnias | Apr 6 | May 4–May 18 | 144 | two-plantings: Plant May 4 and again by Jul 13; both mature before Sep 25. | Jul 13 |
Month by month in Storrs Mansfield
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Plan your garden layout and order seeds. Research varieties suited to your frost dates. |
| February | Start indoors: Chives (Feb 9), Lavender (Feb 9), Onion (Feb 9), Rosemary (Feb 9), Celery (Feb 23), Collards (Feb 23), +5 more. |
| March | Start indoors: Broccoli (Mar 9), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 9), Cabbage (Mar 9), Lettuce (Mar 9), Sage (Mar 9), Swiss Chard (Mar 9), +8 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Mar 9), Beets (Mar 9), Dill (Mar 9), Peas (Mar 9), Radish (Mar 9), Spinach (Mar 9), +1 more. Plant: Strawberry (Mar 30). |
| April | Start indoors: Bok Choy (Apr 6), Corn (Apr 6), Cosmos (Apr 6), Nasturtiums (Apr 6), Okra (Apr 6), Zinnias (Apr 6), +9 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (Apr 6), Turnip (Apr 6), Carrots (Apr 13), Potatoes (Apr 20). Transplant from: Broccoli (Apr 6), Brussel Sprouts (Apr 6), Cabbage (Apr 6), Collards (Apr 6), Kale (Apr 6), Lettuce (Apr 6), +6 more. |
| May | Direct sow from: Sunflowers (May 4), Beans (May 11), Pole Beans (May 11). Transplant from: Cosmos (May 4), Lavender (May 4), Marigolds (May 4), Mint (May 4), Nasturtiums (May 4), Zinnias (May 4), +23 more. Last frost around May 4. Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (May 27), Pumpkin (May 27). |
| June | Last sowing dates: Cantaloupe (Jun 4), Celery (Jun 4), Melons (Jun 4), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 6), Tomato (Jun 9), Watermelon (Jun 9), +4 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Sunflowers (Jul 3), Brussel Sprouts (Jul 8), Pole Beans (Jul 8), Basil (Jul 13), Cosmos (Jul 13), Cucumber (Jul 13), +11 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Cabbage (Aug 7), Carrots (Aug 7), Beets (Aug 8), Dill (Aug 8), Swiss Chard (Aug 8), Calendula (Aug 13), +8 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Arugula (Sep 6), Spinach (Sep 6), Radish (Sep 7). |
| October | Direct sow from: Garlic (Oct 9). First frost around October 9. Last sowing dates: Garlic (Oct 30). |
| November | Harvest remaining cold-hardy crops: kale, carrots, and beets. Plant garlic bulbs for next year. |
| December | Clean up spent plants. Add compost to beds. Rest, review, and plan next year's garden. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last frost date for Storrs Mansfield, CT (ZIP 06268)?
The median last spring frost date for Storrs Mansfield, CT (ZIP code 06268) is around May 4. This is the 50th-percentile date — meaning half of all years see frost end before this date. Use the 10% and 90% dates to understand the full range of risk in your area. One year in ten frost ends before April 21; one in ten it runs past May 17.
What is the first fall frost date in Storrs Mansfield, CT?
The median first fall frost date for Storrs Mansfield, CT is around October 9. Plan to harvest or protect frost-sensitive crops like tomatoes and peppers at least a week before this date to avoid losses. The first frost arrives around September 26 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Storrs Mansfield, CT?
The frost-free growing season in Storrs Mansfield is about 158 days. This window — from your last spring frost to your first fall frost — is when warm-season vegetables thrive. Cold-hardy crops like kale, spinach, and peas can extend your season by weeks on either side. In Storrs Mansfield (158 frost-free days, a moderate season), 32 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 23 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is Storrs Mansfield, CT?
Storrs Mansfield, CT is in USDA hardiness zone 6b (2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map). Zones come from the average coldest winter temperature, so they tell you which perennials survive the winter; the frost dates on this page tell you when to plant.
When should I start tomatoes indoors in Storrs Mansfield, CT?
Start tomatoes indoors Mar 30 and plant out May 18 in Storrs Mansfield. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Storrs Mansfield?
Two: plant Apr 6 and again by Aug 18; both mature before Oct 16.
When do I plant garlic in Storrs Mansfield?
Oct 9 to Oct 30; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Coventry (ZIP 06238) has 167 frost-free days, 9 more than Storrs Mansfield (ZIP 06268). See Coventry ZIP 06238 frost dates
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