Data: 2023 USDA zones (PRISM/OSU) · NOAA 1991–2020 normals · updated Oct 29, 2026

Planting zone for 06242 — Eastford, CT

ZIP code 06242 (Eastford, Northeastern Connecticut County) is in USDA zone 6b: the coldest winter night averages −5 to 0 °F. The median last spring frost is April 30 and the first fall frost October 15.

Where ZIP 06242 is

Outlined: the ZIP code area · tap the map for the zone at any spot · scroll or pinch to zoom

Not the official USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Zones come from the 2023 USDA hardiness-zone data by the PRISM Group, Oregon State University; we re-mapped and recolored them. The official map is at planthardiness.ars.usda.gov.

Zone6b−5 to 0 °F

Coldest night−20.6 to −17.8 °C

Last frostApr 30

First frostOct 15

2012 zone6a

Was 6a on the 2012 map — half a zone warmer now. The zone is the one at the center of the ZIP code; hilly ZIPs can span two zones. What zone 6b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Eastford, CT…

Forecast data: National Weather Service (api.weather.gov), public domain. This is not a warning service — for official frost and freeze warnings see weather.gov.

Frost dates in Eastford, CT

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free

Last spring frostApril 30median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 11only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 15median — 10% chance by Oct 1

Growing season167 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 16 and returns around October 28.

From the NOAA station Hampton, CT — 9 miles away, elevation 489 ft. NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, 32 °F threshold. Low spots and valleys can freeze later in spring than the station.

When to plant vegetables in 06242

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 19 – Apr 2

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 19 – Apr 9

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 19 – Mar 5

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 9 – Apr 23

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 2 – Apr 16

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 9 – Apr 23

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 2 – Apr 16

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 9 – Apr 23

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 5 – Mar 19

TomatoesTransplant · May 7 – May 21

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 19 – Mar 5

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 14 – May 28

BeansSow outdoors · May 7 – May 21

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 7 – May 21

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 7 – May 21

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 20 – Sep 3

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 1 – Nov 5

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 30) and first fall frost (Oct 15) with the rules of thumb U.S. extension services publish. Cool-season crops take a light frost; warm-season crops do best once the soil is above about 60 °F.

When spring arrived in 2026

In 2026, spring leaf-out near 06242 came on Apr 3 — 8 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 11).

average
Apr 112026
Apr 3

JanFebMarAprMayJun

The Spring Index marks the day when accumulated warmth is enough for lilac and honeysuckle to leaf out — a widely used signal that the growing season has started. Source: USA National Phenology Network, www.usanpn.org — Spring Indices, first leaf, 2026 (data as of 2026-09-08) and 30-year average 1991–2020 (CC BY 4.0).

Native plants for zone 6b in Connecticut

533 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Connecticut, and rated by the USDA to survive −5 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 6b. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

Source: USDA, NRCS. 2026. The PLANTS Database (plants.usda.gov), National Plant Data Team — state distribution, native status and the “Temperature, Minimum” characteristic. Check light, moisture and soil needs before buying; local nurseries and your state native plant society can confirm what thrives in Eastford, CT.

Soil in Eastford, CT

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 06242 is Charlton — moderately decomposed plant material, well drained.

TextureModerately decomposed plant materialtop layer

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter95%high

Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Charlton-Chatfield complex, 0 to 15 percent slopes, very rocky.

Soil Survey Staff, Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA. Soil Survey Geographic (SSURGO) Database, via Soil Data Access, accessed 2026-10-29. The soil at the center point of ZIP 06242; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Eastford, CT

Summer high80 °Faverage high, July

Winter low17 °Faverage low, January

Hot days3days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights142nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,427base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 14 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 07 mindaylight on December 21

Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)

Precipitation52.4 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Hampton, CT (9 mi away); precipitation: Willington 2.7 Se, CT (8 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

1 of the 8 nearest ZIP codes are in a different zone — elevation and distance from water change winter lows quickly.

062826b

Woodstock Valley, CT · 4 mi

062786b

Ashford, CT · 4 mi

062596b

Pomfret Center, CT · 6 mi

Willington, CT · 8 mi

062676b

South Woodstock, CT · 8 mi

062446a

East Woodstock, CT · 8 mi

Connecticut planting zones →

Questions about 06242

What planting zone is ZIP code 06242?

ZIP code 06242 (Eastford, CT) is in USDA hardiness zone 6b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −5 to 0 °F (−20.6 to −17.8 °C).

When is the last frost in Eastford, CT?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 06242 is April 30; after May 11 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Hampton station.

When is the first frost in Eastford, CT?

The median first fall frost near 06242 is October 15, giving a median frost-free growing season of 167 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 06242?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 5 – Mar 19 and set transplants outside around May 7 – May 21, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 06242 get?

About 52.4 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Willington 2.7 Se station).

How hot do summers get in Eastford, CT?

The average high peaks at 80 °F in July, with about 3 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 06242 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Charlton at the center of ZIP 06242: moderately decomposed plant material, well drained.

Did spring come early in Eastford, CT in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 06242 came on Apr 3 in 2026, 8 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 11), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Eastford, CT?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 06242 is 15 h 14 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 06242 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 06242 in zone 6a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.