Last frost date in Ridgewood, NJ

Average last frost
April 15

Expect the last frost in Ridgewood around April 15. Frost after May 1 happens in only one year out of ten. The first fall frost usually arrives about October 28, which leaves 195 frost-free days. An early freeze before October 13 happens one year in ten.

Safe after (10% risk)
May 1
Average first frost
Oct 28
Frost-free season
195 days
Hard freeze (28°F) ends
Apr 2
Next 7 nights in Ridgewood

Frost possible in low spots Fri night, low 36°F

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

  1. ThuOct 2240°
  2. FriOct 2336°possible frost
  3. SatOct 2436°possible frost
  4. SunOct 2540°
  5. MonOct 2646°
  6. TueOct 2744°
  7. WedOct 2844°
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecLast frost Apr 15First frost Oct 28195 frost-free daysBlue: chance of 32°F frost. Green: average frost-free season.JFMAMJJASOND195 frost-free days
Frost risk through the year at Little Falls, 8.9 miles from Ridgewood.

Planting calendar for Ridgewood

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 22–May 6
PumpkinsApr 29–May 13
SunflowersApr 15–May 6
CucumbersApr 29–May 6
CornApr 22–May 6
Sweet potatoesMay 6–May 20
WatermelonApr 29–May 13
Green beansApr 22–May 13
ZucchiniApr 22–May 6
OkraMay 6–May 20
PeppersApr 29–May 13
BasilApr 22–May 6
Butternut squashApr 22–May 6
CantaloupeApr 29–May 13
EggplantApr 29–May 13
Cool-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PotatoesMar 18–Apr 1
OnionsMar 4–Mar 25
CarrotsMar 25–Apr 29
LettuceApr 1–Apr 22
BroccoliMar 18–Apr 1
BeetsMar 18–Apr 29
PeasMar 4–Mar 18
CabbageMar 18–Apr 1
RadishesMar 11–Apr 22
Brussels sproutsApr 1–Apr 15
SpinachMar 4–Mar 25
CilantroApr 1–Apr 22
KaleMar 18–Apr 1
Collard greensMar 18–Apr 1
TurnipsMar 18–Apr 1
DillApr 15–Apr 29
CeleryApr 22–Apr 29
CauliflowerApr 1–Apr 15
LeeksApr 1–Apr 15
Swiss chardApr 1–Apr 29
ParsleyApr 1–Apr 22
Fall bulbs and garlic
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Tulip bulbsOct 14–Nov 18
GarlicOct 7–Nov 11
Daffodil bulbsSep 30–Nov 11
Perennials
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
StrawberriesMar 18–Apr 1
AsparagusMar 18–Apr 1

Frost probabilities

ThresholdSpring, 90% chance laterSpring, 50%Spring, 10%Fall, 10% chance earlierFall, 50%Fall, 90%
Light frost, 32°FApr 1Apr 15May 1Oct 13Oct 28Nov 9
Hard freeze, 28°FMar 18Apr 2Apr 16Oct 24Nov 7Nov 22

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 Little Falls (USC00284887) sits 8.9 miles from the center of Ridgewood at 150 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 Ridgewood, NJ?

The average last frost date in Ridgewood is April 15, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. There is a 10% chance of frost after May 1.

When is the first frost in Ridgewood?

The first frost in fall usually comes around October 28. One year in ten it arrives before October 13.

How long is the growing season in Ridgewood?

About 195 days between the average last and first frost.

When should I plant tomatoes in Ridgewood?

Plant tomato seedlings outside from April 22 to May 6. Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks earlier.

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