Last frost date in Fort Lee, NJ

Average last frost
April 3

Expect the last frost in Fort Lee around April 3. Frost after April 16 happens in only one year out of ten. The first fall frost usually arrives about November 4, which leaves 215 frost-free days. An early freeze before October 21 happens one year in ten.

Safe after (10% risk)
Apr 16
Average first frost
Nov 4
Frost-free season
215 days
Hard freeze (28°F) ends
Mar 23
Next 7 nights in Fort Lee

No frost in the next 7 nights

National Weather Service forecast, updated Oct 22, 12:57 UTC

  1. ThuOct 2244°
  2. FriOct 2340°
  3. SatOct 2440°
  4. SunOct 2543°
  5. MonOct 2649°
  6. TueOct 2747°
  7. WedOct 2848°
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecLast frost Apr 3First frost Nov 4215 frost-free daysBlue: chance of 32°F frost. Green: average frost-free season.JFMAMJJASOND215 frost-free days
Frost risk through the year at Teterboro Airport, 4.7 miles from Fort Lee.

Planting calendar for Fort Lee

Windows count forward or back from the average frost dates above. Click a crop for dates across New Jersey.

Start indoorsPlant outSow outdoorsFall plantingAverage last and first frost
Warm-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
TomatoesApr 10–Apr 24
PumpkinsApr 17–May 1
SunflowersApr 3–Apr 24
CucumbersApr 17–Apr 24
CornApr 10–Apr 24
Sweet potatoesApr 24–May 8
WatermelonApr 17–May 1
Green beansApr 10–May 1
ZucchiniApr 10–Apr 24
OkraApr 24–May 8
PeppersApr 17–May 1
BasilApr 10–Apr 24
Butternut squashApr 10–Apr 24
CantaloupeApr 17–May 1
EggplantApr 17–May 1
Cool-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PotatoesMar 6–Mar 20
OnionsFeb 20–Mar 13
CarrotsMar 13–Apr 17
LettuceMar 20–Apr 10
BroccoliMar 6–Mar 20
BeetsMar 6–Apr 17
PeasFeb 20–Mar 6
CabbageMar 6–Mar 20
RadishesFeb 27–Apr 10
Brussels sproutsMar 20–Apr 3
SpinachFeb 20–Mar 13
CilantroMar 20–Apr 10
KaleMar 6–Mar 20
Collard greensMar 6–Mar 20
TurnipsMar 6–Mar 20
DillApr 3–Apr 17
CeleryApr 10–Apr 17
CauliflowerMar 20–Apr 3
LeeksMar 20–Apr 3
Swiss chardMar 20–Apr 17
ParsleyMar 20–Apr 10
Fall bulbs and garlic
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Tulip bulbsOct 21–Nov 25
GarlicOct 14–Nov 18
Daffodil bulbsOct 7–Nov 18
Perennials
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
StrawberriesMar 6–Mar 20
AsparagusMar 6–Mar 20

Frost probabilities

ThresholdSpring, 90% chance laterSpring, 50%Spring, 10%Fall, 10% chance earlierFall, 50%Fall, 90%
Light frost, 32°FMar 20Apr 3Apr 16Oct 21Nov 4Nov 20
Hard freeze, 28°FMar 7Mar 23Apr 4Nov 2Nov 16Dec 4

Read the spring 10% column as the date after which only one year in ten still gets frost. That is the safer date for tomatoes, peppers and basil.

Where these numbers come from

NOAA station Teterboro Airport (USW00094741) sits 4.7 miles from the center of Fort Lee at 9 feet. Its averages cover 1991 to 2020. Low spots, valleys and open fields can keep getting frost a week or two after the station stops; city centers and lakeshores usually get less of it.

Questions

When is the last frost in Fort Lee, NJ?

The average last frost date in Fort Lee is April 3, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. There is a 10% chance of frost after April 16.

When is the first frost in Fort Lee?

The first frost in fall usually comes around November 4. One year in ten it arrives before October 21.

How long is the growing season in Fort Lee?

About 215 days between the average last and first frost.

When should I plant tomatoes in Fort Lee?

Plant tomato seedlings outside from April 10 to April 24. Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks earlier.

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