New Jersey Frost Dates and Planting Zones
Across 723 ZIP codes we matched to a NOAA weather station, New Jersey’s last spring frost (50% risk, 32°F) ranges from May 1 near Sussex ap to Mar 26 near Atlantic City. First fall frost runs from Oct 11 near Sussex 3 Wnw to Nov 22 near Margate. Look up your exact ZIP code on the frost date tool for a station-matched result and hardiness zone.
Frost dates by city in New Jersey
The 12 weather stations covering the most NJ ZIP codes, at the 50% and 10% probability levels (32°F threshold). The 10% date is later and safer to plant after; the 50% date is the typical planning date.
| Station | Last frost (50%) | Last frost (10%) | First frost (50%) | First frost (10%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harrison | Apr 4 | Apr 16 | Nov 6 | Oct 25 |
| Boonton 1 se | Apr 17 | May 5 | Oct 23 | Oct 8 |
| Teterboro ap | Apr 3 | Apr 16 | Nov 4 | Oct 21 |
| Long Branch-oakhurst | Apr 9 | Apr 23 | Nov 3 | Oct 21 |
| Little Falls | Apr 15 | May 1 | Oct 28 | Oct 13 |
| Hightstown 2 w | Apr 25 | May 12 | Oct 16 | Oct 4 |
| Trenton State College | Apr 17 | May 6 | Oct 28 | Oct 11 |
| New Brunswick 3 se | Apr 15 | May 1 | Oct 26 | Oct 11 |
| Canoe Brook | Apr 18 | May 6 | Oct 27 | Oct 11 |
| Wanaque Raymond Dam | Apr 19 | May 3 | Oct 23 | Oct 9 |
| Somerville 4 nw | Apr 30 | May 14 | Oct 20 | Oct 5 |
| Philadelphia/mt Holly Wfo | Apr 15 | Apr 29 | Oct 29 | Oct 14 |
USDA hardiness zones in New Jersey
Share of New Jersey ZIP codes in each 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone. 66.8% of NJ ZIP codes moved to a different zone between the 2012 and 2023 maps, mostly warming as winter lows trended up.
| Zone (2023) | Share of NJ ZIPs |
|---|---|
| 6b | 10.6% |
| 7a | 47.4% |
| 7b | 40.4% |
| 8a | 1.5% |
Climate is shifting
Averaged across NJ stations with both normals periods, the last spring frost now lands about 3 days earlier than the 1981–2010 normal. First fall frost now lands about 4 days later, stretching or shrinking the frost-free season depending on the station.
Plan around your New Jersey frost dates
Once you know your local last and first frost, these guides help you time the work around them: