Last frost date in Newark, NJ

Average last frost
April 4

The average last frost in Newark is April 4. By April 16 the chance of another 32°F night drops to 1 in 10. The first fall frost usually arrives about November 6, which leaves 216 frost-free days. An early freeze before October 25 happens one year in ten.

Safe after (10% risk)
Apr 16
Average first frost
Nov 6
Frost-free season
216 days
Hard freeze (28°F) ends
Mar 26
Next 7 nights in Newark

No frost in the next 7 nights

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

  1. ThuOct 2244°
  2. FriOct 2339°
  3. SatOct 2440°
  4. SunOct 2543°
  5. MonOct 2649°
  6. TueOct 2748°
  7. WedOct 2848°
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecLast frost Apr 4First frost Nov 6216 frost-free daysBlue: chance of 32°F frost. Green: average frost-free season.JFMAMJJASOND216 frost-free days
Frost risk through the year at Harrison, 2.0 miles from Newark.

Planting calendar for Newark

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 11–Apr 25
PumpkinsApr 18–May 2
SunflowersApr 4–Apr 25
CucumbersApr 18–Apr 25
CornApr 11–Apr 25
Sweet potatoesApr 25–May 9
WatermelonApr 18–May 2
Green beansApr 11–May 2
ZucchiniApr 11–Apr 25
OkraApr 25–May 9
PeppersApr 18–May 2
BasilApr 11–Apr 25
Butternut squashApr 11–Apr 25
CantaloupeApr 18–May 2
EggplantApr 18–May 2
Cool-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PotatoesMar 7–Mar 21
OnionsFeb 21–Mar 14
CarrotsMar 14–Apr 18
LettuceMar 21–Apr 11
BroccoliMar 7–Mar 21
BeetsMar 7–Apr 18
PeasFeb 21–Mar 7
CabbageMar 7–Mar 21
RadishesFeb 28–Apr 11
Brussels sproutsMar 21–Apr 4
SpinachFeb 21–Mar 14
CilantroMar 21–Apr 11
KaleMar 7–Mar 21
Collard greensMar 7–Mar 21
TurnipsMar 7–Mar 21
DillApr 4–Apr 18
CeleryApr 11–Apr 18
CauliflowerMar 21–Apr 4
LeeksMar 21–Apr 4
Swiss chardMar 21–Apr 18
ParsleyMar 21–Apr 11
Fall bulbs and garlic
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Tulip bulbsOct 23–Nov 27
GarlicOct 16–Nov 20
Daffodil bulbsOct 9–Nov 20
Perennials
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
StrawberriesMar 7–Mar 21
AsparagusMar 7–Mar 21

Frost probabilities

ThresholdSpring, 90% chance laterSpring, 50%Spring, 10%Fall, 10% chance earlierFall, 50%Fall, 90%
Light frost, 32°FMar 23Apr 4Apr 16Oct 25Nov 6Nov 22
Hard freeze, 28°FMar 11Mar 26Apr 5Nov 5Nov 19Dec 5

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 Harrison (USC00283704) sits 2.0 miles from the center of Newark at 24 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 Newark, NJ?

The average last frost date in Newark is April 4, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. There is a 10% chance of frost after April 16.

When is the first frost in Newark?

The first frost in fall usually comes around November 6. One year in ten it arrives before October 25.

How long is the growing season in Newark?

About 216 days between the average last and first frost.

When should I plant tomatoes in Newark?

Plant tomato seedlings outside from April 11 to April 25. Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks earlier.

Nearby in New Jersey

All 59 cities in New Jersey