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

Planting zone for 06776 — New Milford, CT

ZIP code 06776 (New Milford, Western Connecticut County) is in USDA zone 6b: the coldest winter night averages −5 to 0 °F. The median last spring frost is April 20 and the first fall frost October 20.

Where ZIP 06776 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 20

First frostOct 20

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 New Milford, 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 New Milford, CT

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 20median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 6only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 20median — 10% chance by Oct 5

Growing season181 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 7 and returns around November 1.

From the NOAA station Danbury, CT — 14 miles away, elevation 404 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 06776

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 9 – Mar 23

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 9 – Mar 30

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 9 – Feb 23

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 30 – Apr 13

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 23 – Apr 6

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 30 – Apr 13

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 23 – Apr 6

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 30 – Apr 13

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 23 – Mar 9

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 27 – May 11

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 9 – Feb 23

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 4 – May 18

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 27 – May 11

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 27 – May 11

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 27 – May 11

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 25 – Sep 8

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 6 – Nov 10

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 20) and first fall frost (Oct 20) 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 06776 came on Apr 2 — 7 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 9).

average
Apr 92026
Apr 2

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 New Milford, CT.

Soil in New Milford, CT

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 06776 is Hollis — highly decomposed plant material, somewhat excessively drained.

TextureHighly decomposed plant materialtop layer

DrainageSomewhat excessively drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter40%high

Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Hollis-Chatfield-Rock outcrop complex, 15 to 45 percent slopes.

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 06776; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in New Milford, CT

Summer high85 °Faverage high, July

Winter low21 °Faverage low, January

Hot days20days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights126nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days3,102base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 12 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 09 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation51.2 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall47 inper year; 49 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Danbury, CT (14 mi away); precipitation: Woodbury, CT (11 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

067846b

Sherman, CT · 4 mi

067556b

Gaylordsville, CT · 4 mi

067946a

Washington Depot, CT · 6 mi

067526b

Bridgewater, CT · 6 mi

067936a

Washington, CT · 7 mi

067836b

Roxbury, CT · 7 mi

067856a

South Kent, CT · 8 mi

067776a

New Preston Marble Dale, CT · 8 mi

Connecticut planting zones →

Questions about 06776

What planting zone is ZIP code 06776?

ZIP code 06776 (New Milford, 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 New Milford, CT?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 06776 is April 20; after May 6 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Danbury station.

When is the first frost in New Milford, CT?

The median first fall frost near 06776 is October 20, giving a median frost-free growing season of 181 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 06776?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 23 – Mar 9 and set transplants outside around Apr 27 – May 11, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 06776 get?

About 51.2 inches of precipitation a year and 47 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Woodbury station).

How hot do summers get in New Milford, CT?

The average high peaks at 85 °F in July, with about 20 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 06776 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Hollis at the center of ZIP 06776: highly decomposed plant material, somewhat excessively drained.

Did spring come early in New Milford, CT in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 06776 came on Apr 2 in 2026, 7 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 9), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in New Milford, CT?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 06776 is 15 h 12 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 06776 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 06776 in zone 6a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.