Caldwell Essex Co Airport, NJ Frost Dates & Growing Season

The two dates every Caldwell Essex Co Airport garden is planned around, plus ready-computed planting windows for the most popular crops.

Last spring frost
Apr 14
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Oct 28
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
197 days
frost-free stretch
USDA zone
≈ 7a
estimated from nearby reference
Risky (1 year in 10)MedianSafe (9 years in 10)
Last spring frost Apr 1 Apr 14 Apr 30
First fall frost Nov 11 Oct 28 Oct 13
Hard freeze (28°F), median last Apr 1 · first Nov 9

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the CALDWELL ESSEX CO AP station. "Safe" means frost past that date happens only about one year in ten. Your exact garden can still run days either way with elevation and terrain — check your own ZIP with the frost date lookup.

Planting windows for Caldwell Essex Co Airport

Computed from Caldwell Essex Co Airport's own frost dates. Click any crop for the full zone-7 growing guide — varieties, spacing, fall plantings, and more.

CropStart seeds indoorsTransplantDirect sow
🍅 Tomatoes Feb 17 – Mar 3 Apr 21 – Apr 28
🫑 Peppers Feb 3 – Feb 17 Apr 28 – May 5
🥬 Lettuce Mar 3 – Mar 17 Mar 17 – Mar 31 Mar 17 – Apr 14
🫛 Peas Mar 3 – Mar 17
🥕 Carrots Mar 24 – Apr 14
🥦 Broccoli Feb 24 – Mar 10 Mar 24 – Apr 7
🥬 Kale Mar 3 – Mar 17 Mar 17 – Mar 31 Mar 17 – Mar 31
🥒 Cucumbers Mar 17 – Mar 24 Apr 21 – Apr 28 Apr 21 – Apr 28
🥒 Zucchini Mar 17 – Mar 24 Apr 21 – Apr 28 Apr 21 – Apr 28
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) Apr 21 – Apr 28
🌽 Sweet Corn Apr 21 – Apr 28
🌿 Basil Mar 3 – Mar 17 Apr 21 – Apr 28 Apr 28 – May 5
🧄 Garlic Fall: Sep 16 – Oct 14

Want this for all 50 crops, or as a printable seed-shelf schedule? Use the planting calendar and the seed starting scheduler — both can use Caldwell Essex Co Airport's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in Caldwell Essex Co Airport

Roughly 197 frost-free days gives Caldwell Essex Co Airport gardeners room for nearly every common vegetable. Warm-season crops go out after Apr 14; a fall garden sown in late summer matures comfortably before the Oct 28 frost.

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Caldwell Essex Co Airport, NJ?

The average last spring frost in Caldwell Essex Co Airport is around Apr 14, based on 1991–2020 climate normals. That's a median — about half of years see a later frost, so tender crops are safest going out a week or two after this date.

When is the first frost in Caldwell Essex Co Airport, NJ?

The average first fall frost in Caldwell Essex Co Airport arrives around Oct 28. Crops still in the garden need to mature before then, and frost-tender plants need harvesting or protection as the date approaches.

How long is the growing season in Caldwell Essex Co Airport?

About 197 frost-free days on average, from Apr 14 to Oct 28. That fits nearly all common vegetables, though the longest-season melons and sweet potatoes benefit from transplants.

What USDA zone is Caldwell Essex Co Airport in?

USDA zone 7a on the 2023 Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Note that zones describe winter cold, not frost timing — these frost dates are the numbers to plan plantings around.