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

Planting zone for 06896 — Redding, CT

ZIP code 06896 (Redding, Western Connecticut County) is in USDA zone 6b: the coldest winter night averages −5 to 0 °F. The median last spring frost is May 1 and the first fall frost October 14.

Where ZIP 06896 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 frostMay 1
First frostOct 14
2012 zone6b

Same zone as on the 2012 map. 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 Redding, 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 Redding, CT

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 1median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 16only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 14median — 10% chance by Oct 1
Growing season166 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 18 and returns around October 27.

From the NOAA station Danbury Municipal Airport, CT — 7 miles away, elevation 456 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 06896

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 20 – Apr 3
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 20 – Apr 10
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 20 – Mar 6
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 10 – Apr 24
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 3 – Apr 17
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 10 – Apr 24
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 3 – Apr 17
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 10 – Apr 24
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 6 – Mar 20
TomatoesTransplant · May 8 – May 22
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 20 – Mar 6
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 15 – May 29
BeansSow outdoors · May 8 – May 22
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 8 – May 22
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 8 – May 22
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 19 – Sep 2
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 30 – Nov 4
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 1) and first fall frost (Oct 14) 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 06896 came on Apr 2 — 5 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 7).

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.

Trees 64

American basswood100 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican beech80 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −44 °FAmerican chestnut115 ft · blooms early summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican elm120 ft · blooms early spring · medium shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican sycamore100 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −34 °Farborvitae50 ft · blooms mid spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °F

Shrubs 105

alderleaf buckthorn3 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −33 °FAllegheny serviceberry35 ft · blooms early spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Falternateleaf dogwood25 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −47 °FAmerican black currant3 ft · blooms early spring · to −46 °FAmerican hazelnut10 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican holly40 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −20 °F

Wildflowers & perennials 187

alkali buttercup1 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican bur-reed3 ft · blooms indeterminate · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican eelgrass1 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican licorice4 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican lotus3 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −36 °FAmerican pokeweed7 ft · blooms mid summer · low shade tolerance · to −33 °F

Grasses 151

American beachgrass2.5 ft · blooms spring · high shade tolerance · to −28 °Farctic brome3 ft · blooms early summer · low shade tolerance · to −33 °FAtlantic mannagrass3 ft · blooms summer · low shade tolerance · to −8 °Fawlfruit sedge4 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °FBailey's sedge2.1 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −33 °Fbeaked spikerush3 ft · blooms late spring · high shade tolerance · to −28 °F

Vines 9

American bittersweet15 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Fcatbird grape30 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −13 °Fdevil's darning needles15 ft · blooms mid summer · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °Fheartleaf peppervine2 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −8 °Friverbank grape45 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °Fsummer grape30 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −23 °F

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 Redding, CT.

Soil in Redding, CT

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 06896 is Ridgebury — moderately decomposed plant material, poorly drained.

TextureModerately decomposed plant materialtop layer
DrainagePoorly drainedconsider raised beds
Organic matter95%high
Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Ridgebury, Leicester, and Whitman soils, 0 to 8 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 06896; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Redding, CT

Summer high82 °Faverage high, July
Winter low18 °Faverage low, January
Hot days8days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights134nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,690base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 10 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 11 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation51.9 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 18 °F 36°18° JanFebruary: average high 39 °F, low 20 °F 39°20° FebMarch: average high 47 °F, low 27 °F 47°27° MarApril: average high 59 °F, low 37 °F 59°37° AprMay: average high 69 °F, low 46 °F 69°46° MayJune: average high 78 °F, low 56 °F 78°56° JunJuly: average high 82 °F, low 62 °F 82°62° JulAugust: average high 80 °F, low 60 °F 80°60° AugSeptember: average high 74 °F, low 52 °F 74°52° SepOctober: average high 62 °F, low 41 °F 62°41° OctNovember: average high 51 °F, low 31 °F 51°31° NovDecember: average high 41 °F, low 24 °F 41°24° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″6″January: 3.79 in precipitation 3.8 JanFebruary: 3.24 in precipitation 3.2 FebMarch: 4.36 in precipitation 4.4 MarApril: 4.41 in precipitation 4.4 AprMay: 4.14 in precipitation 4.1 MayJune: 4.23 in precipitation 4.2 JunJuly: 5.02 in precipitation 5.0 JulAugust: 4.39 in precipitation 4.4 AugSeptember: 4.51 in precipitation 4.5 SepOctober: 5.23 in precipitation 5.2 OctNovember: 3.74 in precipitation 3.7 NovDecember: 4.86 in precipitation 4.9 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Danbury Municipal Airport, CT (7 mi away); precipitation: Newtown 4.6 Ssw, CT (4 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

068527a
Norwalk, CT · 2 mi
068577a
Norwalk, CT · 2 mi
068607a
Norwalk, CT · 2 mi
068756b
Redding Center, CT · 2 mi
068887a
Westport, CT · 2 mi
068766b
Redding Ridge, CT · 2 mi
068297a
Georgetown, CT · 4 mi
068016b
Bethel, CT · 4 mi

Connecticut planting zones →

Questions about 06896

What planting zone is ZIP code 06896?

ZIP code 06896 (Redding, 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 Redding, CT?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 06896 is May 1; after May 16 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Danbury Municipal Airport station.

When is the first frost in Redding, CT?

The median first fall frost near 06896 is October 14, giving a median frost-free growing season of 166 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 06896?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 6 – Mar 20 and set transplants outside around May 8 – May 22, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 06896 get?

About 51.9 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Newtown 4.6 Ssw station).

How hot do summers get in Redding, CT?

The average high peaks at 82 °F in July, with about 8 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 06896 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Ridgebury at the center of ZIP 06896: moderately decomposed plant material, poorly drained.

Did spring come early in Redding, CT in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 06896 came on Apr 2 in 2026, 5 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 7), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Redding, CT?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 06896 is 15 h 10 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).