When Is the Last Frost in New Jersey?
The average last spring frost in New Jersey falls between April 2 and April 25 for most ZIP codes, with a statewide median of April 15. At the average date a later frost is still a coin flip, so tender plants wait for the safer 90% date.
| City | Last frost | 90% safe after | First frost | Growing season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Newark | Apr 4 | Apr 16 | Nov 6 | 216 days |
| Jersey City | Apr 4 | Apr 16 | Nov 6 | 216 days |
| Paterson | Apr 15 | May 1 | Oct 28 | 195 days |
| Elizabeth | Apr 2 | Apr 15 | Nov 10 | 222 days |
| Trenton | Apr 17 | May 6 | Oct 28 | 192 days |
| Clifton | Apr 15 | May 1 | Oct 28 | 195 days |
| Bayonne | Apr 2 | Apr 15 | Nov 10 | 222 days |
| East Orange | Apr 4 | Apr 16 | Nov 6 | 216 days |
| Camden | Mar 30 | Apr 12 | Nov 17 | 232 days |
| Passaic | Apr 3 | Apr 16 | Nov 4 | 215 days |
| Vineland | Apr 24 | May 10 | Oct 23 | 181 days |
| New Brunswick | Apr 15 | May 1 | Oct 26 | 193 days |
| Atlantic City | Mar 26 | Apr 6 | Nov 21 | 240 days |
| Long Branch | Apr 9 | Apr 23 | Nov 3 | 208 days |
| Glassboro | Apr 8 | Apr 22 | Nov 1 | 205 days |
| Point Pleasant | Apr 23 | May 12 | Oct 20 | 179 days |
| Dover | Apr 17 | May 5 | Oct 23 | 189 days |
| Phillipsburg | Apr 18 | May 5 | Oct 25 | 188 days |
Last and first frost: 50% (median) dates of the last spring and first fall 32 °F night. 90% safe after: only a 10% chance of a later spring frost. First frost dates in January fall in the following winter. Each city uses the NOAA station nearest the ZIP code closest to its center.
Across all 48 New Jersey weather stations with frost records, median last frost dates run from March 26 at Margate, NJ to May 1 at Sussex AP, NJ. Elevation, valleys that collect cold air and distance from large water bodies explain most of the spread, so a garden a few miles from a listed city can differ by a week or more. The ZIP code lookup above uses the same NOAA data as the frost date calculator for every US ZIP code.
When Is the First Frost in New Jersey?
The average first fall frost in New Jersey arrives between October 18 and November 10 for most ZIP codes, with a median of October 28. Tomatoes, peppers, basil and squash are damaged at 32 °F, so harvest or cover them before then.
Fall frost can come early: Newark has a 10% chance of frost before October 25, Jersey City has a 10% chance of frost before October 25 and Paterson has a 10% chance of frost before October 13. Hardy crops such as kale, spinach and cabbage tolerate light frosts and keep producing after the first frost date.
When to Plant Tomatoes in New Jersey?
Transplant tomatoes in New Jersey 1 to 2 weeks after the local average last frost, once nights stay above about 50 °F: Apr 11 – Apr 18 in Newark, Apr 11 – Apr 18 in Jersey City and Apr 22 – Apr 29 in Paterson. Start seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before the last frost.
| City | Start seeds indoors | Transplant outdoors | Lowest-risk transplant |
|---|---|---|---|
| Newark | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | Apr 11 – Apr 18 | after Apr 16 |
| Jersey City | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | Apr 11 – Apr 18 | after Apr 16 |
| Paterson | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | Apr 22 – Apr 29 | after May 1 |
| Elizabeth | Feb 5 – Feb 19 | Apr 9 – Apr 16 | after Apr 15 |
| Trenton | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | Apr 24 – May 1 | after May 6 |
| Clifton | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | Apr 22 – Apr 29 | after May 1 |
| Bayonne | Feb 5 – Feb 19 | Apr 9 – Apr 16 | after Apr 15 |
| East Orange | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | Apr 11 – Apr 18 | after Apr 16 |
| Camden | Feb 2 – Feb 16 | Apr 6 – Apr 13 | after Apr 12 |
| Passaic | Feb 6 – Feb 20 | Apr 10 – Apr 17 | after Apr 16 |
| Vineland | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | May 1 – May 8 | after May 10 |
| New Brunswick | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | Apr 22 – Apr 29 | after May 1 |
| Atlantic City | Jan 29 – Feb 12 | Apr 2 – Apr 9 | after Apr 6 |
| Long Branch | Feb 12 – Feb 26 | Apr 16 – Apr 23 | after Apr 23 |
| Glassboro | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | Apr 15 – Apr 22 | after Apr 22 |
| Point Pleasant | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Apr 30 – May 7 | after May 12 |
| Dover | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | Apr 24 – May 1 | after May 5 |
| Phillipsburg | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | Apr 25 – May 2 | after May 5 |
Indoors: 6–8 weeks before the average last frost. Outdoors: 1–2 weeks after it. Lowest-risk: after the date with only a 10% chance of a later frost. Rules of thumb; check the 10-day forecast and wait for soil near 60 °F.
Tomatoes stall below about 50 °F at night and are killed by frost, so a week or two of waiting after the average date costs little. The tomato plant care guide covers light, watering and feeding once plants are in the ground.
What Can You Plant in Newark and When?
Newark's average last frost of April 4 anchors its spring planting calendar: peas and spinach go in from February 21, broccoli and lettuce transplants from March 7, and tomatoes, peppers and squash after April 11.
| Crop | Start seeds indoors | Plant outdoors | Frost tolerance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Peas | — | Feb 21 – Mar 7direct sow, 4–6 weeks before last frost | hardy |
| Spinach | — | Feb 21 – Mar 14direct sow, 3–6 weeks before last frost | hardy |
| Radishes | — | Feb 28 – Mar 14direct sow, 3–5 weeks before last frost | hardy |
| Onions (sets) | — | Mar 7 – Mar 21plant, 2–4 weeks before last frost | hardy |
| Potatoes | — | Mar 7 – Mar 21plant, 2–4 weeks before last frost | half-hardy |
| Broccoli & cabbage | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | Mar 7 – Mar 21transplant, 2–4 weeks before last frost | hardy |
| Lettuce | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | Mar 7 – Mar 21transplant, 2–4 weeks before last frost | hardy |
| Beets | — | Mar 7 – Mar 21direct sow, 2–4 weeks before last frost | half-hardy |
| Carrots | — | Mar 14 – Mar 21direct sow, 2–3 weeks before last frost | half-hardy |
| Tomatoes | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | Apr 11 – Apr 18transplant, 1–2 weeks after last frost | tender |
| Basil | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | Apr 11 – Apr 25transplant, 1–3 weeks after last frost | tender |
| Peppers | Jan 24 – Feb 7 | Apr 18 – Apr 25transplant, 2–3 weeks after last frost | tender |
| Eggplant | Jan 24 – Feb 7 | Apr 18 – Apr 25transplant, 2–3 weeks after last frost | tender |
| Green beans | — | Apr 11 – Apr 25direct sow, 1–3 weeks after last frost | tender |
| Sweet corn | — | Apr 11 – Apr 25direct sow, 1–3 weeks after last frost | tender |
| Cucumbers | Mar 7 – Mar 14 | Apr 11 – Apr 25transplant, 1–3 weeks after last frost | tender |
| Squash & zucchini | Mar 7 – Mar 14 | Apr 11 – Apr 25transplant, 1–3 weeks after last frost | tender |
| Watermelon | Mar 7 – Mar 14 | Apr 18 – Apr 25transplant, 2–3 weeks after last frost | tender |
Dates for Newark (last frost Apr 4, NOAA station Harrison, NJ, under 1 mile from ZIP 07102). General rules of thumb; wait for soil near 50 °F for most seeds and 60 °F for beans, corn and squash.
How Long Is the Growing Season in New Jersey?
The frost-free growing season in New Jersey lasts about 174 to 222 days for most ZIP codes, with a median of 195 days. Among the listed cities, Point Pleasant has the shortest season at 179 days and Atlantic City the longest at 240.
Season length decides which varieties ripen: compare it with the “days to maturity” on seed packets, counted from transplanting for tomatoes and peppers. NOAA stations in New Jersey range from 163 days at Sussex 3 WNW, NJ to 243 days at Margate, NJ. Planning beds before the season starts helps in short seasons — a plant spacing calculator for vegetable beds shows how many transplants fit.
What Hardiness Zones Are in New Jersey?
New Jersey spans USDA hardiness zones 6b to 8a, with zone 7a the most common. Zones describe winter cold and decide which perennials survive, while frost dates set when to plant annual vegetables and flowers.
The New Jersey planting zone map with the zone of each city shows how the zones are spread across the state and which plants are hardy in all of them.
Frequently Asked Questions
- When is the last frost in New Jersey?
- The average last spring frost in New Jersey falls between April 2 and April 25 for most ZIP codes, with a statewide median of April 15. Among major cities it ranges from March 26 in Atlantic City to April 24 in Vineland.
- When is the last frost in Newark, New Jersey?
- Newark's average last spring frost is April 4, and by April 16 the chance of a later frost drops to 10%. Its first fall frost averages November 6, giving a 216-day growing season (NOAA station Harrison, NJ).
- When should you plant tomatoes in New Jersey?
- Transplant tomatoes in New Jersey 1 to 2 weeks after the local average last frost, once nights stay above about 50 °F: Apr 11 – Apr 18 in Newark, Apr 11 – Apr 18 in Jersey City and Apr 22 – Apr 29 in Paterson. Start seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before the last frost.
- When is the first frost in New Jersey?
- The average first fall frost in New Jersey arrives between October 18 and November 10 for most ZIP codes, with a median of October 28. Harvest tender crops such as tomatoes, peppers and basil before then or cover them on cold nights.
- How long is the growing season in New Jersey?
- The frost-free growing season in New Jersey lasts about 174 to 222 days for most ZIP codes, with a median of 195 days, from 179 days in Point Pleasant to 240 days in Atlantic City.
Frost data: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals (32 °F freeze dates by probability). ZIP code and city locations and populations: U.S. Census Bureau Gazetteer files and Vintage 2024 population estimates. Planting windows are general rules of thumb. PlantoScan is not affiliated with or endorsed by these agencies.