Ellington, CT planting zone & frost dates
Ellington is in USDA hardiness zone 6b. The last spring frost usually comes around April 21 and the first fall frost around October 16, for a growing season of about 177 days.
Planting calendar for Ellington
Dates are counted from the average last spring frost (April 21) using the typical timing recommended by U.S. extension services. Warm-season crops go out only after the danger of frost has passed and the soil has warmed.
| Crop | When |
|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Start seeds indoors: Feb 24 – Mar 10 Transplant outdoors: Apr 28 – May 5 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors: Feb 10 – Feb 24 Transplant outdoors: May 5 – May 12 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors: Feb 10 – Feb 24 Transplant outdoors: May 5 – May 12 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors: Feb 10 – Feb 24 Transplant outdoors: Mar 24 – Apr 7 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors: Feb 10 – Feb 24 Transplant outdoors: Mar 24 – Apr 7 |
| Onions (sets) | Plant outdoors: Mar 24 – Apr 7 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors: Mar 10 – Mar 24 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors: Mar 10 – Mar 24 |
| Lettuce | Sow outdoors: Mar 24 – Apr 7 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors: Mar 24 – Apr 7 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors: Mar 24 – Apr 7 |
| Beans | Sow outdoors: Apr 28 – May 5 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors: Apr 28 – May 5 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors: Apr 28 – May 5 |
| Squash & zucchini | Sow outdoors: Apr 28 – May 5 |
| Basil | Start seeds indoors: Mar 10 – Mar 24 Transplant outdoors: Apr 28 – May 5 |
Fall garden: cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach and kale can be sown again around Aug 21 (8 weeks before the average first fall frost on Oct 16).
Frost risk in detail
| 90% chance | 50% chance | 10% chance | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Last 32°F frost in spring is after | Apr 8 | Apr 21 | May 6 |
| First 32°F frost in fall is before | Nov 2 | Oct 16 | Oct 3 |
How to read it: in spring there is a 10% chance of a frost after May 6, so that is a safe date for tender plants. In fall there is a 10% chance of frost before October 3. A hard freeze (28°F) usually ends around April 7.
Hardiness zone by ZIP code in Ellington
- 06029 zone 6b
Nearby cities
- Tolland zone 6b, last frost Apr 19
- Manchester zone 6b, last frost Apr 17
- Enfield zone 6b, last frost Apr 21
- Windsor Locks zone 6b, last frost Apr 21
- South Windsor zone 6b, last frost Apr 17
- Windsor zone 6b, last frost Apr 21
- East Hartford zone 6b, last frost Apr 17
- Stafford zone 6a, last frost May 7
Questions
What growing zone is Ellington, CT?
Ellington is in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 6b (average extreme winter low -5°F to 0°F), according to the USDA 2023 map.
When is the last frost in Ellington?
The average last spring frost (32°F) in Ellington is April 21. There is still a 10% chance of frost until May 6.
When can I plant tomatoes in Ellington?
Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after the average last frost: around Apr 28 – May 5. Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost.
Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Hartford Bradley Intl Ap, CT (USW00014740), 18.0 km (11.2 mi) from the city center, elevation 58 m, based on 30 years of records. Hardiness zone: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map 2023 for the ZIP code nearest to the city center. Microclimates (valleys, hills, cities, coasts) can be warmer or colder: check the local forecast before planting. How we calculate the data.