Frost Dates for Morris Plains, NJ 07950
Last spring frost April 30 · First fall frost October 15 · 168 frost-free days · USDA Zone 6b
ZIP 07950 has about 21,700 people.
Moderate season: 168 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 17–May 13 (26 days). Fall frost risk spans September 29–October 29 (30 days).
Frost probability for 07950
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | May 13 | April 30 | April 17 |
| Fall (first frost) | September 29 | October 15 | October 29 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at CANOE BROOK (15.7 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 168-day season in Morris Plains
In Morris Plains (168 frost-free days, a moderate season), 31 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 24 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant out / sow | Days you have | Verdict | Last sow date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Mar 26 | May 14–May 21 | 126 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 126 available after May 14. | Jun 15 |
| Pepper | Mar 19 | May 14–May 21 | 126 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 126 available after May 14. | Jun 20 |
| Lettuce | Mar 5 | Apr 2–Apr 9 | 203 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 2 and again by Aug 24; both mature before Oct 22. | Aug 24 |
| Carrots | — | Apr 9–Apr 16 | 210 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 210 available after Apr 9. | Aug 13 |
| Cucumber | Apr 9 | May 14–May 21 | 140 | two-plantings: Plant May 14 and again by Jul 19; both mature before Oct 1. | Jul 19 |
| Beans | — | May 7–May 21 | 154 | two-plantings: Plant May 7 and again by Jul 26; both mature before Oct 8. | Jul 26 |
| Peas | — | Mar 5–May 14 | 231 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 231 available after Mar 5. | Aug 4 |
| Zucchini | Apr 16 | May 14–May 21 | 140 | two-plantings: Plant May 14 and again by Jul 24; both mature before Oct 1. | Jul 24 |
| Onion | Feb 5 | Apr 2–Apr 16 | 203 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 203 available after Apr 2. | — |
| Spinach | — | Mar 5–Apr 23 | 245 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 5 and again by Sep 12; both mature before Nov 5. | Sep 12 |
| Kale | Feb 19 | Apr 2–Apr 16 | 217 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 2 and again by Aug 28; both mature before Nov 5. | Aug 28 |
| Broccoli | Mar 5 | Apr 2–Apr 16 | 203 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 203 available after Apr 2. | Jul 20 |
| Cabbage | Mar 5 | Apr 2–Apr 16 | 217 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 217 available after Apr 2. | Aug 13 |
| Radish | — | Mar 5–May 28 | 231 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 5 and again by Sep 13; both mature before Oct 22. | Sep 13 |
| Beets | — | Mar 5–May 28 | 231 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 5 and again by Aug 14; both mature before Oct 22. | Aug 14 |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 16–Apr 23 | 189 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 189 available after Apr 16. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 15 | 273 | overwinter: Plant Oct 15 to Nov 5; harvest the following summer. | Nov 5 |
| Strawberry | — | Mar 26–May 21 | 224 | perennial: A perennial: plant Mar 26; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Apr 2 | May 7–May 14 | 140 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 140 available after May 7. | Jun 27 |
| Pumpkin | Apr 16 | May 14–May 14 | 133 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 133 available after May 14. | Jun 2 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 19 | Apr 23–May 7 | 182 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 182 available after Apr 23. | Jul 25 |
| Swiss Chard | Mar 5 | Apr 16–Apr 16 | 189 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 16 and again by Aug 14; both mature before Oct 22. | Aug 14 |
| Arugula | — | Mar 5–May 28 | 245 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 5 and again by Sep 12; both mature before Nov 5. | Sep 12 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Mar 5 | Apr 2–Apr 16 | 217 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 217 available after Apr 2. | Jul 14 |
| Butternut Squash | Apr 16 | May 14–May 21 | 133 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 133 available after May 14. | Jun 2 |
| Eggplant | Mar 12 | May 14–May 21 | 126 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 126 available after May 14. | Jun 25 |
| Okra | Apr 2 | May 7–May 14 | 147 | two-plantings: Plant May 7 and again by Jul 24; both mature before Oct 1. | Jul 24 |
| Basil | Mar 26 | May 21–May 21 | 133 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 133 available after May 21. | Jul 19 |
| Cilantro | — | Apr 2–Apr 23 | 203 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 2 and again by Aug 19; both mature before Oct 22. | Aug 19 |
| Parsley | Feb 19 | May 7–May 14 | 168 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 168 available after May 7. | Jul 30 |
| Celery | Feb 19 | May 7–May 21 | 168 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 168 available after May 7. | Jun 10 |
| Scallions | Feb 19 | Apr 2–Apr 16 | 217 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 2 and again by Aug 23; both mature before Nov 5. | Aug 23 |
| Turnip | — | Apr 2–Apr 16 | 217 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 2 and again by Sep 2; both mature before Nov 5. | Sep 2 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 19–Apr 2 | 231 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 19 and again by Aug 28; both mature before Nov 5. | Aug 28 |
| Bok Choy | Apr 2 | Apr 23–Apr 30 | 182 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 23 and again by Aug 24; both mature before Oct 22. | Aug 24 |
| Collards | Feb 19 | Apr 2–Apr 16 | 217 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 2 and again by Aug 23; both mature before Nov 5. | Aug 23 |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 16 | May 14–May 21 | 126 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 126 available after May 14. | Jun 10 |
| Chives | Feb 5 | May 7–May 14 | 182 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 182 available after May 7. | — |
| Dill | — | Mar 5–May 28 | 231 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 5 and again by Aug 14; both mature before Oct 22. | Aug 14 |
| Oregano | Feb 19 | May 7–May 14 | 182 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 182 available after May 7. | — |
| Rosemary | Feb 5 | May 7–May 14 | 168 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 168 available after May 7. | — |
| Sage | Mar 5 | May 7–May 14 | 182 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 182 available after May 7. | — |
| Thyme | Feb 19 | May 7–May 14 | 182 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 182 available after May 7. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 19 | Apr 16–Apr 30 | 189 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 16 and again by Aug 19; both mature before Oct 22. | Aug 19 |
| Cosmos | Apr 2 | Apr 30–May 14 | 154 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 30 and again by Jul 19; both mature before Oct 1. | Jul 19 |
| Lavender | Feb 5 | Apr 30–May 14 | 189 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 189 available after Apr 30. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 19 | Apr 30–May 7 | 154 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 30 and again by Jul 29; both mature before Oct 1. | Jul 29 |
| Melons | Apr 16 | May 14–May 21 | 126 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 126 available after May 14. | Jun 10 |
| Mint | — | Apr 30–May 14 | 189 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 189 available after Apr 30. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Apr 2 | Apr 30–May 7 | 154 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 30 and again by Jul 24; both mature before Oct 1. | Jul 24 |
| Pole Beans | — | May 7–May 21 | 147 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 147 available after May 7. | Jul 14 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Apr 16 | May 14–May 21 | 133 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 133 available after May 14. | Jun 12 |
| Sunflowers | — | Apr 30–May 14 | 154 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 154 available after Apr 30. | Jul 9 |
| Tomatillos | Mar 5 | May 7–May 14 | 133 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 133 available after May 7. | Jun 20 |
| Watermelon | Apr 16 | May 7–May 14 | 133 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 133 available after May 7. | Jun 15 |
| Yellow Squash | Apr 16 | May 14–May 21 | 140 | two-plantings: Plant May 14 and again by Jul 24; both mature before Oct 1. | Jul 24 |
| Zinnias | Apr 2 | Apr 30–May 14 | 154 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 30 and again by Jul 19; both mature before Oct 1. | Jul 19 |
Month by month in Morris Plains
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Plan your garden layout and order seeds. Research varieties suited to your frost dates. |
| February | Start indoors: Chives (Feb 5), Lavender (Feb 5), Onion (Feb 5), Rosemary (Feb 5), Celery (Feb 19), Collards (Feb 19), +5 more. |
| March | Start indoors: Broccoli (Mar 5), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 5), Cabbage (Mar 5), Lettuce (Mar 5), Sage (Mar 5), Swiss Chard (Mar 5), +8 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Mar 5), Beets (Mar 5), Dill (Mar 5), Peas (Mar 5), Radish (Mar 5), Spinach (Mar 5), +1 more. Plant: Strawberry (Mar 26). |
| April | Start indoors: Bok Choy (Apr 2), Corn (Apr 2), Cosmos (Apr 2), Nasturtiums (Apr 2), Okra (Apr 2), Zinnias (Apr 2), +9 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (Apr 2), Turnip (Apr 2), Carrots (Apr 9), Potatoes (Apr 16), Sunflowers (Apr 30). Transplant from: Broccoli (Apr 2), Brussel Sprouts (Apr 2), Cabbage (Apr 2), Collards (Apr 2), Kale (Apr 2), Lettuce (Apr 2), +12 more. Last frost around April 30. |
| May | Direct sow from: Beans (May 7), Pole Beans (May 7). Transplant from: Celery (May 7), Chives (May 7), Corn (May 7), Okra (May 7), Oregano (May 7), Parsley (May 7), +17 more. |
| June | Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jun 2), Pumpkin (Jun 2), Cantaloupe (Jun 10), Celery (Jun 10), Melons (Jun 10), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 12), +6 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Sunflowers (Jul 9), Brussel Sprouts (Jul 14), Pole Beans (Jul 14), Basil (Jul 19), Cosmos (Jul 19), Cucumber (Jul 19), +10 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Peas (Aug 4), Cabbage (Aug 13), Carrots (Aug 13), Beets (Aug 14), Dill (Aug 14), Swiss Chard (Aug 14), +8 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Turnip (Sep 2), Arugula (Sep 12), Spinach (Sep 12), Radish (Sep 13). |
| October | Direct sow from: Garlic (Oct 15). First frost around October 15. |
| November | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Nov 5). |
| 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 Morris Plains, NJ (ZIP 07950)?
The median last spring frost date for Morris Plains, NJ (ZIP code 07950) is around April 30. 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 17; one in ten it runs past May 13.
What is the first fall frost date in Morris Plains, NJ?
The median first fall frost date for Morris Plains, NJ is around October 15. 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 September 29 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Morris Plains, NJ?
The frost-free growing season in Morris Plains is about 168 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 Morris Plains (168 frost-free days, a moderate season), 31 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 24 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is Morris Plains, NJ?
Morris Plains, NJ is in USDA hardiness zone 6b (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 Morris Plains, NJ?
Start tomatoes indoors Mar 26 and plant out May 14 in Morris Plains. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Morris Plains?
Two: plant Apr 2 and again by Aug 24; both mature before Oct 22.
When do I plant garlic in Morris Plains?
Oct 15 to Nov 5; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Lake Hiawatha (ZIP 07034) has 176 frost-free days, 8 more than Morris Plains (ZIP 07950). See Lake Hiawatha ZIP 07034 frost dates
Nearby and related
- Frost dates for Denville, NJ 07834 (2.9 mi)
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- Frost dates for Randolph, NJ 07869 (5.1 mi)
- Frost dates for Lake Hiawatha, NJ 07034 (5.9 mi)
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