When to Plant in New Jersey: Vegetable & Flower Planting Calendar
Northwest New Jersey’s higher terrain runs cooler, while the southern Coastal Plain and shore warm earlier. Use this guide to time seed-starting, transplanting, and fall planting around your local frost dates. New Jersey falls in USDA zones 6a–7b; median last spring frost (NOAA 1991–2020) runs from Mar 26 – May 1, and first fall frost from Oct 12 – Nov 21.
About these dates: Timings are counted from your average last spring frost date, which is only an average — a frost can still occur after it. Dates vary within a state by elevation, distance from water, and microclimate. Look up the frost date for your ZIP code (your state Cooperative Extension office or NOAA climate normals are good sources) and adjust for the current season’s weather and soil temperature.
New Jersey frost dates by region
| Region | NOAA stations | Median last spring frost (32°F) | Median first fall frost (32°F) | USDA zone (approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northwest (Sussex, Warren) | Sussex Airport, Newton, Belvidere Brg | Apr 24 – May 1 | Oct 12 – Oct 18 | 6a–6b |
| Northeast & metro (Newark, Bergen) | Newark Intl Airport, Teterboro Airport, Caldwell Essex Co Airport | Apr 2 – Apr 14 | Oct 28 – Nov 10 | 6b–7a |
| Central (Trenton, New Brunswick) | Trenton Mercer Co Airport, New Brunswick 3 Se, Freehold-Marlboro | Apr 10 – Apr 17 | Oct 23 – Nov 1 | 7a |
| South Jersey interior | Glassboro 2 Ne, Millville Muni Airport, Hammonton 1 Ne | Apr 8 – Apr 24 | Oct 23 – Nov 1 | 7a–7b |
| Jersey Shore | Atlantic City, Cape May 2 Nw, Long Branch-Oakhurst | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | Nov 3 – Nov 21 | 7b |
Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, annual/seasonal freeze-date probabilities (32°F, 50% probability). Station-level medians; your yard may differ.
Look up more towns on our New Jersey frost dates table, or enter your ZIP in the planting planner.
New Jersey vegetable planting calendar
Find your local last-frost date, then count forward or back using the table below.
| Crop | When to plant (relative to last frost) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Peas | Direct sow 4–6 weeks before last frost | Tolerates light frost; sow when soil is workable |
| Spinach | Direct sow 4–6 weeks before last frost | Also sow 6–8 weeks before first fall frost |
| Lettuce | Direct sow or transplant 2–4 weeks before last frost | Bolts in heat; succession sow; fall crop too |
| Radishes | Direct sow 2–5 weeks before last frost | Fast (3–4 weeks); sow again in late summer |
| Kale | Start indoors 8–10 weeks before; transplant 2–4 weeks before last frost | Sow again 8–10 weeks before fall frost; frost sweetens leaves |
| Onions (sets/transplants) | Plant 2–4 weeks before last frost | Choose day-length type suited to your latitude |
| Potatoes | Plant 2–4 weeks before last frost | Soil about 45°F+; hill as plants grow |
| Broccoli | Start indoors 8–10 weeks before; transplant 2–4 weeks before last frost | Cool-season; harden off; good fall crop |
| Cabbage | Start indoors 8–10 weeks before; transplant 2–4 weeks before last frost | Cool-season; harden off; good fall crop |
| Tomatoes | Start indoors 6–8 weeks before; transplant 1–2 weeks after last frost | Wait for nights reliably above 50°F |
| Peppers | Start indoors 8–10 weeks before; transplant 2–3 weeks after last frost | Need warm soil (65°F+) |
| Eggplant | Start indoors 8–10 weeks before; transplant 2–3 weeks after last frost | Need warm soil (65°F+) |
| Beans (bush & pole) | Direct sow 1–2 weeks after last frost | Seeds rot in cold, wet soil |
| Sweet corn | Direct sow 1–2 weeks after last frost | Soil 60°F+; plant in blocks for pollination |
| Cucumbers | Direct sow 1–2 weeks after last frost | Frost-tender; watch for cucumber beetles |
| Squash | Direct sow 1–2 weeks after last frost | Frost-tender; watch for squash vine borer |
| Pumpkins | Direct sow 1–3 weeks after last frost (count back ~90–120 days from target harvest) | For October pumpkins, many sow in late May–June |
| Basil | Start indoors 4–6 weeks before; transplant 1–2 weeks after last frost | Very cold-sensitive |
| Marigolds | Start indoors 4–6 weeks before or direct sow after last frost | Easy warm-season annual |
| Zinnias | Start indoors 4–6 weeks before or direct sow after last frost | Easy warm-season annual |
| Tulips | Plant in fall when soil cools below ~60°F | Typically around first fall frost, before ground freezes |
| Daffodils | Plant in fall when soil cools below ~60°F | Slightly earlier than tulips is fine |
| Garlic | Plant cloves in fall, a few weeks before the ground freezes | Harvest the following early summer |
Tips for New Jersey gardeners
- Watch soil temperature, not just the calendar — warm-season crops stall in cold soil. An inexpensive soil thermometer helps.
- Harden off transplants over 7–10 days before planting out.
- Plan a fall garden: count back from your first fall frost to sow lettuce, spinach, kale, and radishes in late summer.
- Keep weeds down early — see our weed identification guide.
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in New Jersey?
Median last spring frost (32°F) in New Jersey ranges from mid-April (south/coast) to early May (northwest) across NOAA stations, depending on location. Check the average for your ZIP code, and remember frost can occur after the average date.
What USDA zone is New Jersey?
New Jersey spans roughly USDA hardiness zones 6a–7b on the 2023 USDA map. Hardiness zones describe winter low temperatures, not frost dates.
When can I plant tomatoes in New Jersey?
Transplant tomatoes outdoors about 1–2 weeks after your local average last frost, once nights stay above about 50°F. Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost.
Other Mid-Atlantic planting calendars
Delaware · Maryland · Pennsylvania · Virginia · All states