Frost Dates for Sussex, NJ 07461
Last spring frost May 5 · First fall frost October 9 · 157 frost-free days · USDA Zone 6b
ZIP 07461 has about 18,700 people.
Moderate season: 157 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 22–May 21 (29 days). Fall frost risk spans September 24–October 21 (27 days).
Frost probability for 07461
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | May 21 | May 5 | April 22 |
| Fall (first frost) | September 24 | October 9 | October 21 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at HIGH POINT PARK (8.9 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 157-day season in Sussex
In Sussex (157 frost-free days, a moderate season), 32 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 23 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant out / sow | Days you have | Verdict | Last sow date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Mar 31 | May 19–May 26 | 115 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 115 available after May 19. | Jun 9 |
| Pepper | Mar 24 | May 19–May 26 | 115 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 115 available after May 19. | Jun 14 |
| Lettuce | Mar 10 | Apr 7–Apr 14 | 192 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 7 and again by Aug 18; both mature before Oct 16. | Aug 18 |
| Carrots | — | Apr 14–Apr 21 | 199 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 199 available after Apr 14. | Aug 7 |
| Cucumber | Apr 14 | May 19–May 26 | 129 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 129 available after May 19. | Jul 13 |
| Beans | — | May 12–May 26 | 143 | two-plantings: Plant May 12 and again by Jul 20; both mature before Oct 2. | Jul 20 |
| Peas | — | Mar 10–May 19 | 220 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 220 available after Mar 10. | Jul 29 |
| Zucchini | Apr 21 | May 19–May 26 | 129 | two-plantings: Plant May 19 and again by Jul 18; both mature before Sep 25. | Jul 18 |
| Onion | Feb 10 | Apr 7–Apr 21 | 192 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 192 available after Apr 7. | — |
| Spinach | — | Mar 10–Apr 28 | 234 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 10 and again by Sep 6; both mature before Oct 30. | Sep 6 |
| Kale | Feb 24 | Apr 7–Apr 21 | 206 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 7 and again by Aug 22; both mature before Oct 30. | Aug 22 |
| Broccoli | Mar 10 | Apr 7–Apr 21 | 192 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 192 available after Apr 7. | Jul 14 |
| Cabbage | Mar 10 | Apr 7–Apr 21 | 206 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 206 available after Apr 7. | Aug 7 |
| Radish | — | Mar 10–Jun 2 | 220 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 10 and again by Sep 7; both mature before Oct 16. | Sep 7 |
| Beets | — | Mar 10–Jun 2 | 220 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 10 and again by Aug 8; both mature before Oct 16. | Aug 8 |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 21–Apr 28 | 178 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 178 available after Apr 21. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 9 | 262 | overwinter: Plant Oct 9 to Oct 30; harvest the following summer. | Oct 30 |
| Strawberry | — | Mar 31–May 26 | 213 | perennial: A perennial: plant Mar 31; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Apr 7 | May 12–May 19 | 129 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 129 available after May 12. | Jun 21 |
| Pumpkin | Apr 21 | May 19–May 19 | 122 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 122 available after May 19. | May 27 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 24 | Apr 28–May 12 | 171 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 171 available after Apr 28. | Jul 19 |
| Swiss Chard | Mar 10 | Apr 21–Apr 21 | 178 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 21 and again by Aug 8; both mature before Oct 16. | Aug 8 |
| Arugula | — | Mar 10–Jun 2 | 234 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 10 and again by Sep 6; both mature before Oct 30. | Sep 6 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Mar 10 | Apr 7–Apr 21 | 206 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 206 available after Apr 7. | Jul 8 |
| Butternut Squash | Apr 21 | May 19–May 26 | 122 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 122 available after May 19. | May 27 |
| Eggplant | Mar 17 | May 19–May 26 | 115 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 115 available after May 19. | Jun 19 |
| Okra | Apr 7 | May 12–May 19 | 136 | two-plantings: Plant May 12 and again by Jul 18; both mature before Sep 25. | Jul 18 |
| Basil | Mar 31 | May 26–May 26 | 122 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 122 available after May 26. | Jul 13 |
| Cilantro | — | Apr 7–Apr 28 | 192 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 7 and again by Aug 13; both mature before Oct 16. | Aug 13 |
| Parsley | Feb 24 | May 12–May 19 | 157 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 157 available after May 12. | Jul 24 |
| Celery | Feb 24 | May 12–May 26 | 157 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 157 available after May 12. | Jun 4 |
| Scallions | Feb 24 | Apr 7–Apr 21 | 206 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 7 and again by Aug 17; both mature before Oct 30. | Aug 17 |
| Turnip | — | Apr 7–Apr 21 | 206 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 7 and again by Aug 27; both mature before Oct 30. | Aug 27 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 24–Apr 7 | 220 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 24 and again by Aug 22; both mature before Oct 30. | Aug 22 |
| Bok Choy | Apr 7 | Apr 28–May 5 | 171 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 28 and again by Aug 18; both mature before Oct 16. | Aug 18 |
| Collards | Feb 24 | Apr 7–Apr 21 | 206 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 7 and again by Aug 17; both mature before Oct 30. | Aug 17 |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 21 | May 19–May 26 | 115 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 115 available after May 19. | Jun 4 |
| Chives | Feb 10 | May 12–May 19 | 171 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 171 available after May 12. | — |
| Dill | — | Mar 10–Jun 2 | 220 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 10 and again by Aug 8; both mature before Oct 16. | Aug 8 |
| Oregano | Feb 24 | May 12–May 19 | 171 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 171 available after May 12. | — |
| Rosemary | Feb 10 | May 12–May 19 | 157 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 157 available after May 12. | — |
| Sage | Mar 10 | May 12–May 19 | 171 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 171 available after May 12. | — |
| Thyme | Feb 24 | May 12–May 19 | 171 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 171 available after May 12. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 24 | Apr 21–May 5 | 178 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 21 and again by Aug 13; both mature before Oct 16. | Aug 13 |
| Cosmos | Apr 7 | May 5–May 19 | 143 | two-plantings: Plant May 5 and again by Jul 13; both mature before Sep 25. | Jul 13 |
| Lavender | Feb 10 | May 5–May 19 | 178 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 178 available after May 5. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 24 | May 5–May 12 | 143 | two-plantings: Plant May 5 and again by Jul 23; both mature before Sep 25. | Jul 23 |
| Melons | Apr 21 | May 19–May 26 | 115 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 115 available after May 19. | Jun 4 |
| Mint | — | May 5–May 19 | 178 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 178 available after May 5. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Apr 7 | May 5–May 12 | 143 | two-plantings: Plant May 5 and again by Jul 18; both mature before Sep 25. | Jul 18 |
| Pole Beans | — | May 12–May 26 | 136 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 136 available after May 12. | Jul 8 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Apr 21 | May 19–May 26 | 122 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 122 available after May 19. | Jun 6 |
| Sunflowers | — | May 5–May 19 | 143 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 143 available after May 5. | Jul 3 |
| Tomatillos | Mar 10 | May 12–May 19 | 122 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 122 available after May 12. | Jun 14 |
| Watermelon | Apr 21 | May 12–May 19 | 122 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 122 available after May 12. | Jun 9 |
| Yellow Squash | Apr 21 | May 19–May 26 | 129 | two-plantings: Plant May 19 and again by Jul 18; both mature before Sep 25. | Jul 18 |
| Zinnias | Apr 7 | May 5–May 19 | 143 | two-plantings: Plant May 5 and again by Jul 13; both mature before Sep 25. | Jul 13 |
Month by month in Sussex
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Plan your garden layout and order seeds. Research varieties suited to your frost dates. |
| February | Start indoors: Chives (Feb 10), Lavender (Feb 10), Onion (Feb 10), Rosemary (Feb 10), Celery (Feb 24), Collards (Feb 24), +5 more. |
| March | Start indoors: Broccoli (Mar 10), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 10), Cabbage (Mar 10), Lettuce (Mar 10), Sage (Mar 10), Swiss Chard (Mar 10), +8 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Mar 10), Beets (Mar 10), Dill (Mar 10), Peas (Mar 10), Radish (Mar 10), Spinach (Mar 10), +1 more. Plant: Strawberry (Mar 31). |
| April | Start indoors: Bok Choy (Apr 7), Corn (Apr 7), Cosmos (Apr 7), Nasturtiums (Apr 7), Okra (Apr 7), Zinnias (Apr 7), +9 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (Apr 7), Turnip (Apr 7), Carrots (Apr 14), Potatoes (Apr 21). Transplant from: Broccoli (Apr 7), Brussel Sprouts (Apr 7), Cabbage (Apr 7), Collards (Apr 7), Kale (Apr 7), Lettuce (Apr 7), +6 more. |
| May | Direct sow from: Sunflowers (May 5), Beans (May 12), Pole Beans (May 12). Transplant from: Cosmos (May 5), Lavender (May 5), Marigolds (May 5), Mint (May 5), Nasturtiums (May 5), Zinnias (May 5), +23 more. Last frost around May 5. Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (May 27), Pumpkin (May 27). |
| June | Last sowing dates: Cantaloupe (Jun 4), Celery (Jun 4), Melons (Jun 4), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 6), Tomato (Jun 9), Watermelon (Jun 9), +4 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Sunflowers (Jul 3), Brussel Sprouts (Jul 8), Pole Beans (Jul 8), Basil (Jul 13), Cosmos (Jul 13), Cucumber (Jul 13), +11 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Cabbage (Aug 7), Carrots (Aug 7), Beets (Aug 8), Dill (Aug 8), Swiss Chard (Aug 8), Calendula (Aug 13), +8 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Arugula (Sep 6), Spinach (Sep 6), Radish (Sep 7). |
| October | Direct sow from: Garlic (Oct 9). First frost around October 9. Last sowing dates: Garlic (Oct 30). |
| November | Harvest remaining cold-hardy crops: kale, carrots, and beets. Plant garlic bulbs for next year. |
| 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 Sussex, NJ (ZIP 07461)?
The median last spring frost date for Sussex, NJ (ZIP code 07461) is around May 5. 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 22; one in ten it runs past May 21.
What is the first fall frost date in Sussex, NJ?
The median first fall frost date for Sussex, NJ is around October 9. 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 24 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Sussex, NJ?
The frost-free growing season in Sussex is about 157 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 Sussex (157 frost-free days, a moderate season), 32 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 23 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is Sussex, NJ?
Sussex, 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 Sussex, NJ?
Start tomatoes indoors Mar 31 and plant out May 19 in Sussex. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Sussex?
Two: plant Apr 7 and again by Aug 18; both mature before Oct 16.
When do I plant garlic in Sussex?
Oct 9 to Oct 30; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Warwick (ZIP 10990) has 179 frost-free days, 22 more than Sussex (ZIP 07461). See Warwick ZIP 10990 frost dates
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