Frost Dates for Forked River, NJ 08731
Last spring frost April 25 · First fall frost October 18 · 176 frost-free days · USDA Zone 7a
ZIP 08731 has about 21,600 people.
Moderate season: 176 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 14–May 7 (23 days). Fall frost risk spans October 5–October 30 (25 days).
Frost probability for 08731
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | May 7 | April 25 | April 14 |
| Fall (first frost) | October 5 | October 18 | October 30 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at TOMS RVR (12.0 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 176-day season in Forked River
In Forked River (176 frost-free days, a moderate season), 30 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 25 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant out / sow | Days you have | Verdict | Last sow date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Mar 21 | May 9–May 16 | 134 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 134 available after May 9. | Jun 18 |
| Pepper | Mar 14 | May 9–May 16 | 134 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 134 available after May 9. | Jun 23 |
| Lettuce | Feb 28 | Mar 28–Apr 4 | 211 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 28 and again by Aug 27; both mature before Oct 25. | Aug 27 |
| Carrots | — | Apr 4–Apr 11 | 218 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 218 available after Apr 4. | Aug 16 |
| Cucumber | Apr 4 | May 9–May 16 | 148 | two-plantings: Plant May 9 and again by Jul 22; both mature before Oct 4. | Jul 22 |
| Beans | — | May 2–May 16 | 162 | two-plantings: Plant May 2 and again by Jul 29; both mature before Oct 11. | Jul 29 |
| Peas | — | Feb 28–May 9 | 239 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 239 available after Feb 28. | Aug 7 |
| Zucchini | Apr 11 | May 9–May 16 | 148 | two-plantings: Plant May 9 and again by Jul 27; both mature before Oct 4. | Jul 27 |
| Onion | Jan 31 | Mar 28–Apr 11 | 211 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 211 available after Mar 28. | — |
| Spinach | — | Feb 28–Apr 18 | 253 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 28 and again by Sep 15; both mature before Nov 8. | Sep 15 |
| Kale | Feb 14 | Mar 28–Apr 11 | 225 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 28 and again by Aug 31; both mature before Nov 8. | Aug 31 |
| Broccoli | Feb 28 | Mar 28–Apr 11 | 211 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 211 available after Mar 28. | Jul 23 |
| Cabbage | Feb 28 | Mar 28–Apr 11 | 225 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 225 available after Mar 28. | Aug 16 |
| Radish | — | Feb 28–May 23 | 239 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 28 and again by Sep 16; both mature before Oct 25. | Sep 16 |
| Beets | — | Feb 28–May 23 | 239 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 28 and again by Aug 17; both mature before Oct 25. | Aug 17 |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 11–Apr 18 | 197 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 197 available after Apr 11. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 18 | 281 | overwinter: Plant Oct 18 to Nov 8; harvest the following summer. | Nov 8 |
| Strawberry | — | Mar 21–May 16 | 232 | perennial: A perennial: plant Mar 21; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Mar 28 | May 2–May 9 | 148 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 148 available after May 2. | Jun 30 |
| Pumpkin | Apr 11 | May 9–May 9 | 141 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 141 available after May 9. | Jun 5 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 14 | Apr 18–May 2 | 190 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 190 available after Apr 18. | Jul 28 |
| Swiss Chard | Feb 28 | Apr 11–Apr 11 | 197 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 11 and again by Aug 17; both mature before Oct 25. | Aug 17 |
| Arugula | — | Feb 28–May 23 | 253 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 28 and again by Sep 15; both mature before Nov 8. | Sep 15 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Feb 28 | Mar 28–Apr 11 | 225 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 225 available after Mar 28. | Jul 17 |
| Butternut Squash | Apr 11 | May 9–May 16 | 141 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 141 available after May 9. | Jun 5 |
| Eggplant | Mar 7 | May 9–May 16 | 134 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 134 available after May 9. | Jun 28 |
| Okra | Mar 28 | May 2–May 9 | 155 | two-plantings: Plant May 2 and again by Jul 27; both mature before Oct 4. | Jul 27 |
| Basil | Mar 21 | May 16–May 16 | 141 | two-plantings: Plant May 16 and again by Jul 22; both mature before Oct 4. | Jul 22 |
| Cilantro | — | Mar 28–Apr 18 | 211 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 28 and again by Aug 22; both mature before Oct 25. | Aug 22 |
| Parsley | Feb 14 | May 2–May 9 | 176 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 176 available after May 2. | Aug 2 |
| Celery | Feb 14 | May 2–May 16 | 176 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 176 available after May 2. | Jun 13 |
| Scallions | Feb 14 | Mar 28–Apr 11 | 225 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 28 and again by Aug 26; both mature before Nov 8. | Aug 26 |
| Turnip | — | Mar 28–Apr 11 | 225 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 28 and again by Sep 5; both mature before Nov 8. | Sep 5 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 14–Mar 28 | 239 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 14 and again by Aug 31; both mature before Nov 8. | Aug 31 |
| Bok Choy | Mar 28 | Apr 18–Apr 25 | 190 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 18 and again by Aug 27; both mature before Oct 25. | Aug 27 |
| Collards | Feb 14 | Mar 28–Apr 11 | 225 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 28 and again by Aug 26; both mature before Nov 8. | Aug 26 |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 11 | May 9–May 16 | 134 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 134 available after May 9. | Jun 13 |
| Chives | Jan 31 | May 2–May 9 | 190 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 190 available after May 2. | — |
| Dill | — | Feb 28–May 23 | 239 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 28 and again by Aug 17; both mature before Oct 25. | Aug 17 |
| Oregano | Feb 14 | May 2–May 9 | 190 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 190 available after May 2. | — |
| Rosemary | Jan 31 | May 2–May 9 | 176 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 176 available after May 2. | — |
| Sage | Feb 28 | May 2–May 9 | 190 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 190 available after May 2. | — |
| Thyme | Feb 14 | May 2–May 9 | 190 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 190 available after May 2. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 14 | Apr 11–Apr 25 | 197 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 11 and again by Aug 22; both mature before Oct 25. | Aug 22 |
| Cosmos | Mar 28 | Apr 25–May 9 | 162 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 25 and again by Jul 22; both mature before Oct 4. | Jul 22 |
| Lavender | Jan 31 | Apr 25–May 9 | 197 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 197 available after Apr 25. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 14 | Apr 25–May 2 | 162 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 25 and again by Aug 1; both mature before Oct 4. | Aug 1 |
| Melons | Apr 11 | May 9–May 16 | 134 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 134 available after May 9. | Jun 13 |
| Mint | — | Apr 25–May 9 | 197 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 197 available after Apr 25. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Mar 28 | Apr 25–May 2 | 162 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 25 and again by Jul 27; both mature before Oct 4. | Jul 27 |
| Pole Beans | — | May 2–May 16 | 155 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 155 available after May 2. | Jul 17 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Apr 11 | May 9–May 16 | 141 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 141 available after May 9. | Jun 15 |
| Sunflowers | — | Apr 25–May 9 | 162 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 162 available after Apr 25. | Jul 12 |
| Tomatillos | Feb 28 | May 2–May 9 | 141 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 141 available after May 2. | Jun 23 |
| Watermelon | Apr 11 | May 2–May 9 | 141 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 141 available after May 2. | Jun 18 |
| Yellow Squash | Apr 11 | May 9–May 16 | 148 | two-plantings: Plant May 9 and again by Jul 27; both mature before Oct 4. | Jul 27 |
| Zinnias | Mar 28 | Apr 25–May 9 | 162 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 25 and again by Jul 22; both mature before Oct 4. | Jul 22 |
Month by month in Forked River
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Chives (Jan 31), Lavender (Jan 31), Onion (Jan 31), Rosemary (Jan 31). |
| February | Start indoors: Celery (Feb 14), Collards (Feb 14), Kale (Feb 14), Oregano (Feb 14), Parsley (Feb 14), Scallions (Feb 14), +8 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Feb 28), Beets (Feb 28), Dill (Feb 28), Peas (Feb 28), Radish (Feb 28), Spinach (Feb 28). |
| March | Start indoors: Eggplant (Mar 7), Calendula (Mar 14), Cauliflower (Mar 14), Marigolds (Mar 14), Pepper (Mar 14), Basil (Mar 21), +7 more. Direct sow from: Kohlrabi (Mar 14), Cilantro (Mar 28), Turnip (Mar 28). Transplant from: Broccoli (Mar 28), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 28), Cabbage (Mar 28), Collards (Mar 28), Kale (Mar 28), Lettuce (Mar 28), +2 more. Plant: Strawberry (Mar 21). |
| April | Start indoors: Cucumber (Apr 4), Butternut Squash (Apr 11), Cantaloupe (Apr 11), Melons (Apr 11), Pumpkin (Apr 11), Spaghetti Squash (Apr 11), +3 more. Direct sow from: Carrots (Apr 4), Potatoes (Apr 11), Sunflowers (Apr 25). Transplant from: Calendula (Apr 11), Swiss Chard (Apr 11), Bok Choy (Apr 18), Cauliflower (Apr 18), Cosmos (Apr 25), Lavender (Apr 25), +4 more. Last frost around April 25. |
| May | Direct sow from: Beans (May 2), Pole Beans (May 2). Transplant from: Celery (May 2), Chives (May 2), Corn (May 2), Okra (May 2), Oregano (May 2), Parsley (May 2), +17 more. |
| June | Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jun 5), Pumpkin (Jun 5), Cantaloupe (Jun 13), Celery (Jun 13), Melons (Jun 13), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 15), +6 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Sunflowers (Jul 12), Brussel Sprouts (Jul 17), Pole Beans (Jul 17), Basil (Jul 22), Cosmos (Jul 22), Cucumber (Jul 22), +8 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Marigolds (Aug 1), Parsley (Aug 2), Peas (Aug 7), Cabbage (Aug 16), Carrots (Aug 16), Beets (Aug 17), +10 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Turnip (Sep 5), Arugula (Sep 15), Spinach (Sep 15), Radish (Sep 16). |
| October | Direct sow from: Garlic (Oct 18). First frost around October 18. |
| November | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Nov 8). |
| December | Clean up spent plants. Add compost to beds. Rest, review, and plan next year's garden. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last frost date for Forked River, NJ (ZIP 08731)?
The median last spring frost date for Forked River, NJ (ZIP code 08731) is around April 25. This is the 50th-percentile date — meaning half of all years see frost end before this date. Use the 10% and 90% dates to understand the full range of risk in your area. One year in ten frost ends before April 14; one in ten it runs past May 7.
What is the first fall frost date in Forked River, NJ?
The median first fall frost date for Forked River, NJ is around October 18. Plan to harvest or protect frost-sensitive crops like tomatoes and peppers at least a week before this date to avoid losses. The first frost arrives around October 5 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Forked River, NJ?
The frost-free growing season in Forked River is about 176 days. This window — from your last spring frost to your first fall frost — is when warm-season vegetables thrive. Cold-hardy crops like kale, spinach, and peas can extend your season by weeks on either side. In Forked River (176 frost-free days, a moderate season), 30 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 25 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is Forked River, NJ?
Forked River, NJ is in USDA hardiness zone 7a (2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map). Zones come from the average coldest winter temperature, so they tell you which perennials survive the winter; the frost dates on this page tell you when to plant.
When should I start tomatoes indoors in Forked River, NJ?
Start tomatoes indoors Mar 21 and plant out May 9 in Forked River. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Forked River?
Two: plant Mar 28 and again by Aug 27; both mature before Oct 25.
When do I plant garlic in Forked River?
Oct 18 to Nov 8; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Bayville (ZIP 08721) has 183 frost-free days, 7 more than Forked River (ZIP 08731). See Bayville ZIP 08721 frost dates
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