Last frost date in Summit, NJ

Average last frost
April 18

The average last frost in Summit is April 18. By May 6 the chance of another 32°F night drops to 1 in 10. The first fall frost usually arrives about October 27, which leaves 189 frost-free days. An early freeze before October 11 happens one year in ten.

Safe after (10% risk)
May 6
Average first frost
Oct 27
Frost-free season
189 days
Hard freeze (28°F) ends
Apr 3
Next 7 nights in Summit

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 2539°
  5. MonOct 2646°
  6. TueOct 2744°
  7. WedOct 2845°
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecLast frost Apr 18First frost Oct 27189 frost-free daysBlue: chance of 32°F frost. Green: average frost-free season.JFMAMJJASOND189 frost-free days
Frost risk through the year at Canoe Brook, 2.0 miles from Summit.

Planting calendar for Summit

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 25–May 9
PumpkinsMay 2–May 16
SunflowersApr 18–May 9
CucumbersMay 2–May 9
CornApr 25–May 9
Sweet potatoesMay 9–May 23
WatermelonMay 2–May 16
Green beansApr 25–May 16
ZucchiniApr 25–May 9
OkraMay 9–May 23
PeppersMay 2–May 16
BasilApr 25–May 9
Butternut squashApr 25–May 9
CantaloupeMay 2–May 16
EggplantMay 2–May 16
Cool-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PotatoesMar 21–Apr 4
OnionsMar 7–Mar 28
CarrotsMar 28–May 2
LettuceApr 4–Apr 25
BroccoliMar 21–Apr 4
BeetsMar 21–May 2
PeasMar 7–Mar 21
CabbageMar 21–Apr 4
RadishesMar 14–Apr 25
Brussels sproutsApr 4–Apr 18
SpinachMar 7–Mar 28
CilantroApr 4–Apr 25
KaleMar 21–Apr 4
Collard greensMar 21–Apr 4
TurnipsMar 21–Apr 4
DillApr 18–May 2
CeleryApr 25–May 2
CauliflowerApr 4–Apr 18
LeeksApr 4–Apr 18
Swiss chardApr 4–May 2
ParsleyApr 4–Apr 25
Fall bulbs and garlic
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Tulip bulbsOct 13–Nov 17
GarlicOct 6–Nov 10
Daffodil bulbsSep 29–Nov 10
Perennials
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
StrawberriesMar 21–Apr 4
AsparagusMar 21–Apr 4

Frost probabilities

ThresholdSpring, 90% chance laterSpring, 50%Spring, 10%Fall, 10% chance earlierFall, 50%Fall, 90%
Light frost, 32°FApr 3Apr 18May 6Oct 11Oct 27Nov 10
Hard freeze, 28°FMar 19Apr 3Apr 19Oct 22Nov 6Nov 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 Canoe Brook (USC00281335) sits 2.0 miles from the center of Summit at 180 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 Summit, NJ?

The average last frost date in Summit is April 18, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. There is a 10% chance of frost after May 6.

When is the first frost in Summit?

The first frost in fall usually comes around October 27. One year in ten it arrives before October 11.

How long is the growing season in Summit?

About 189 days between the average last and first frost.

When should I plant tomatoes in Summit?

Plant tomato seedlings outside from April 25 to May 9. Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks earlier.

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