Last frost date in Rahway, NJ

Average last frost
April 11

The average last frost in Rahway is April 11. By April 28 the chance of another 32°F night drops to 1 in 10. The first fall frost usually arrives about October 31, which leaves 202 frost-free days. An early freeze before October 14 happens one year in ten.

Safe after (10% risk)
Apr 28
Average first frost
Oct 31
Frost-free season
202 days
Hard freeze (28°F) ends
Mar 30
Next 7 nights in Rahway

No frost in the next 7 nights

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

  1. ThuOct 2243°
  2. FriOct 2338°
  3. SatOct 2439°
  4. SunOct 2542°
  5. MonOct 2648°
  6. TueOct 2747°
  7. WedOct 2847°
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecLast frost Apr 11First frost Oct 31202 frost-free daysBlue: chance of 32°F frost. Green: average frost-free season.JFMAMJJASOND202 frost-free days
Frost risk through the year at Cranford, 4.7 miles from Rahway.

Planting calendar for Rahway

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 18–May 2
PumpkinsApr 25–May 9
SunflowersApr 11–May 2
CucumbersApr 25–May 2
CornApr 18–May 2
Sweet potatoesMay 2–May 16
WatermelonApr 25–May 9
Green beansApr 18–May 9
ZucchiniApr 18–May 2
OkraMay 2–May 16
PeppersApr 25–May 9
BasilApr 18–May 2
Butternut squashApr 18–May 2
CantaloupeApr 25–May 9
EggplantApr 25–May 9
Cool-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PotatoesMar 14–Mar 28
OnionsFeb 28–Mar 21
CarrotsMar 21–Apr 25
LettuceMar 28–Apr 18
BroccoliMar 14–Mar 28
BeetsMar 14–Apr 25
PeasFeb 28–Mar 14
CabbageMar 14–Mar 28
RadishesMar 7–Apr 18
Brussels sproutsMar 28–Apr 11
SpinachFeb 28–Mar 21
CilantroMar 28–Apr 18
KaleMar 14–Mar 28
Collard greensMar 14–Mar 28
TurnipsMar 14–Mar 28
DillApr 11–Apr 25
CeleryApr 18–Apr 25
CauliflowerMar 28–Apr 11
LeeksMar 28–Apr 11
Swiss chardMar 28–Apr 25
ParsleyMar 28–Apr 18
Fall bulbs and garlic
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Tulip bulbsOct 17–Nov 21
GarlicOct 10–Nov 14
Daffodil bulbsOct 3–Nov 14
Perennials
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
StrawberriesMar 14–Mar 28
AsparagusMar 14–Mar 28

Frost probabilities

ThresholdSpring, 90% chance laterSpring, 50%Spring, 10%Fall, 10% chance earlierFall, 50%Fall, 90%
Light frost, 32°FMar 30Apr 11Apr 28Oct 14Oct 31Nov 15
Hard freeze, 28°FMar 14Mar 30Apr 12Oct 27Nov 12Dec 1

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 Cranford (USC00282023) sits 4.7 miles from the center of Rahway at 80 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 Rahway, NJ?

The average last frost date in Rahway is April 11, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. There is a 10% chance of frost after April 28.

When is the first frost in Rahway?

The first frost in fall usually comes around October 31. One year in ten it arrives before October 14.

How long is the growing season in Rahway?

About 202 days between the average last and first frost.

When should I plant tomatoes in Rahway?

Plant tomato seedlings outside from April 18 to May 2. Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks earlier.

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