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

Planting zone for 06247 — Hampton, CT

ZIP code 06247 (Hampton, 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 06247 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 Hampton, 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 Hampton, 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 — within 1 mile, 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 06247

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 06247 came on Apr 5 — 5 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 10).

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).

Soil in Hampton, CT

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 06247 is Gloucester — gravelly sandy loam, somewhat excessively drained.

TextureGravelly sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH4.8strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageSomewhat excessively drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter3.5%moderate
Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Gloucester gravelly sandy loam, 3 to 15 percent slopes, extremely stony.

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 06247; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Hampton, 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 13 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 08 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation50.6 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°32 °FJanuary: average high 36 °F, low 17 °F 36°17° JanFebruary: average high 38 °F, low 18 °F 38°18° FebMarch: average high 46 °F, low 25 °F 46°25° MarApril: average high 58 °F, low 35 °F 58°35° AprMay: average high 68 °F, low 45 °F 68°45° MayJune: average high 75 °F, low 54 °F 75°54° JunJuly: average high 80 °F, low 60 °F 80°60° JulAugust: average high 79 °F, low 58 °F 79°58° AugSeptember: average high 73 °F, low 51 °F 73°51° SepOctober: average high 62 °F, low 40 °F 62°40° OctNovember: average high 51 °F, low 31 °F 51°31° NovDecember: average high 41 °F, low 23 °F 41°23° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 4.05 in precipitation 4.0 JanFebruary: 3.37 in precipitation 3.4 FebMarch: 4.44 in precipitation 4.4 MarApril: 4.67 in precipitation 4.7 AprMay: 3.74 in precipitation 3.7 MayJune: 4.32 in precipitation 4.3 JunJuly: 3.91 in precipitation 3.9 JulAugust: 4.21 in precipitation 4.2 AugSeptember: 4.31 in precipitation 4.3 SepOctober: 4.73 in precipitation 4.7 OctNovember: 4.11 in precipitation 4.1 NovDecember: 4.78 in precipitation 4.8 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Hampton, CT (within 1 mile); precipitation: Hampton, CT (within 1 mile). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 6b.

062356b
Chaplin, CT · 3 mi
062566b
North Windham, CT · 5 mi
062646b
Scotland, CT · 5 mi
062806b
Windham, CT · 6 mi
063316b
Canterbury, CT · 6 mi
062506b
Mansfield Center, CT · 6 mi
062346b
Brooklyn, CT · 7 mi
062266b
Willimantic, CT · 8 mi

Connecticut planting zones →

Questions about 06247

What planting zone is ZIP code 06247?

ZIP code 06247 (Hampton, 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 Hampton, CT?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 06247 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 Hampton, CT?

The median first fall frost near 06247 is October 15, giving a median frost-free growing season of 167 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 06247?

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 06247 get?

About 50.6 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Hampton station).

How hot do summers get in Hampton, 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 06247 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Gloucester at the center of ZIP 06247: gravelly sandy loam, somewhat excessively drained, pH about 4.8 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Hampton, CT in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 06247 came on Apr 5 in 2026, 5 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 10), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Hampton, CT?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 06247 is 15 h 13 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 06247 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 06247 in zone 6a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.