Frost Dates for Washington, NJ 07882
Last spring frost May 5 · First fall frost October 7 · 155 frost-free days · USDA Zone 6b
ZIP 07882 has about 15,100 people.
Moderate season: 155 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 20–May 18 (28 days). Fall frost risk spans September 23–October 21 (28 days).
Frost probability for 07882
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | May 18 | May 5 | April 20 |
| Fall (first frost) | September 23 | October 7 | October 21 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at LONG VALLEY (19.6 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 155-day season in Washington
In Washington (155 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 | 113 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 113 available after May 19. | Jun 7 |
| Pepper | Mar 24 | May 19–May 26 | 113 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 113 available after May 19. | Jun 12 |
| Lettuce | Mar 10 | Apr 7–Apr 14 | 190 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 7 and again by Aug 16; both mature before Oct 14. | Aug 16 |
| Carrots | — | Apr 14–Apr 21 | 197 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 197 available after Apr 14. | Aug 5 |
| Cucumber | Apr 14 | May 19–May 26 | 127 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 127 available after May 19. | Jul 11 |
| Beans | — | May 12–May 26 | 141 | two-plantings: Plant May 12 and again by Jul 18; both mature before Sep 30. | Jul 18 |
| Peas | — | Mar 10–May 19 | 218 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 218 available after Mar 10. | Jul 27 |
| Zucchini | Apr 21 | May 19–May 26 | 127 | two-plantings: Plant May 19 and again by Jul 16; both mature before Sep 23. | Jul 16 |
| Onion | Feb 10 | Apr 7–Apr 21 | 190 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 190 available after Apr 7. | — |
| Spinach | — | Mar 10–Apr 28 | 232 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 10 and again by Sep 4; both mature before Oct 28. | Sep 4 |
| Kale | Feb 24 | Apr 7–Apr 21 | 204 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 7 and again by Aug 20; both mature before Oct 28. | Aug 20 |
| Broccoli | Mar 10 | Apr 7–Apr 21 | 190 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 190 available after Apr 7. | Jul 12 |
| Cabbage | Mar 10 | Apr 7–Apr 21 | 204 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 204 available after Apr 7. | Aug 5 |
| Radish | — | Mar 10–Jun 2 | 218 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 10 and again by Sep 5; both mature before Oct 14. | Sep 5 |
| Beets | — | Mar 10–Jun 2 | 218 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 10 and again by Aug 6; both mature before Oct 14. | Aug 6 |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 21–Apr 28 | 176 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 176 available after Apr 21. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 7 | 260 | overwinter: Plant Oct 7 to Oct 28; harvest the following summer. | Oct 28 |
| Strawberry | — | Mar 31–May 26 | 211 | 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 | 127 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 127 available after May 12. | Jun 19 |
| Pumpkin | Apr 21 | May 19–May 19 | 120 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 120 available after May 19. | May 25 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 24 | Apr 28–May 12 | 169 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 169 available after Apr 28. | Jul 17 |
| Swiss Chard | Mar 10 | Apr 21–Apr 21 | 176 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 21 and again by Aug 6; both mature before Oct 14. | Aug 6 |
| Arugula | — | Mar 10–Jun 2 | 232 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 10 and again by Sep 4; both mature before Oct 28. | Sep 4 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Mar 10 | Apr 7–Apr 21 | 204 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 204 available after Apr 7. | Jul 6 |
| Butternut Squash | Apr 21 | May 19–May 26 | 120 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 120 available after May 19. | May 25 |
| Eggplant | Mar 17 | May 19–May 26 | 113 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 113 available after May 19. | Jun 17 |
| Okra | Apr 7 | May 12–May 19 | 134 | two-plantings: Plant May 12 and again by Jul 16; both mature before Sep 23. | Jul 16 |
| Basil | Mar 31 | May 26–May 26 | 120 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 120 available after May 26. | Jul 11 |
| Cilantro | — | Apr 7–Apr 28 | 190 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 7 and again by Aug 11; both mature before Oct 14. | Aug 11 |
| Parsley | Feb 24 | May 12–May 19 | 155 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 155 available after May 12. | Jul 22 |
| Celery | Feb 24 | May 12–May 26 | 155 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 155 available after May 12. | Jun 2 |
| Scallions | Feb 24 | Apr 7–Apr 21 | 204 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 7 and again by Aug 15; both mature before Oct 28. | Aug 15 |
| Turnip | — | Apr 7–Apr 21 | 204 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 7 and again by Aug 25; both mature before Oct 28. | Aug 25 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 24–Apr 7 | 218 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 24 and again by Aug 20; both mature before Oct 28. | Aug 20 |
| Bok Choy | Apr 7 | Apr 28–May 5 | 169 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 28 and again by Aug 16; both mature before Oct 14. | Aug 16 |
| Collards | Feb 24 | Apr 7–Apr 21 | 204 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 7 and again by Aug 15; both mature before Oct 28. | Aug 15 |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 21 | May 19–May 26 | 113 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 113 available after May 19. | Jun 2 |
| Chives | Feb 10 | May 12–May 19 | 169 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 169 available after May 12. | — |
| Dill | — | Mar 10–Jun 2 | 218 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 10 and again by Aug 6; both mature before Oct 14. | Aug 6 |
| Oregano | Feb 24 | May 12–May 19 | 169 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 169 available after May 12. | — |
| Rosemary | Feb 10 | May 12–May 19 | 155 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 155 available after May 12. | — |
| Sage | Mar 10 | May 12–May 19 | 169 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 169 available after May 12. | — |
| Thyme | Feb 24 | May 12–May 19 | 169 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 169 available after May 12. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 24 | Apr 21–May 5 | 176 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 21 and again by Aug 11; both mature before Oct 14. | Aug 11 |
| Cosmos | Apr 7 | May 5–May 19 | 141 | two-plantings: Plant May 5 and again by Jul 11; both mature before Sep 23. | Jul 11 |
| Lavender | Feb 10 | May 5–May 19 | 176 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 176 available after May 5. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 24 | May 5–May 12 | 141 | two-plantings: Plant May 5 and again by Jul 21; both mature before Sep 23. | Jul 21 |
| Melons | Apr 21 | May 19–May 26 | 113 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 113 available after May 19. | Jun 2 |
| Mint | — | May 5–May 19 | 176 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 176 available after May 5. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Apr 7 | May 5–May 12 | 141 | two-plantings: Plant May 5 and again by Jul 16; both mature before Sep 23. | Jul 16 |
| Pole Beans | — | May 12–May 26 | 134 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 134 available after May 12. | Jul 6 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Apr 21 | May 19–May 26 | 120 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 120 available after May 19. | Jun 4 |
| Sunflowers | — | May 5–May 19 | 141 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 141 available after May 5. | Jul 1 |
| Tomatillos | Mar 10 | May 12–May 19 | 120 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 120 available after May 12. | Jun 12 |
| Watermelon | Apr 21 | May 12–May 19 | 120 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 120 available after May 12. | Jun 7 |
| Yellow Squash | Apr 21 | May 19–May 26 | 127 | two-plantings: Plant May 19 and again by Jul 16; both mature before Sep 23. | Jul 16 |
| Zinnias | Apr 7 | May 5–May 19 | 141 | two-plantings: Plant May 5 and again by Jul 11; both mature before Sep 23. | Jul 11 |
Month by month in Washington
| 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 25), Pumpkin (May 25). |
| June | Last sowing dates: Cantaloupe (Jun 2), Celery (Jun 2), Melons (Jun 2), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 4), Tomato (Jun 7), Watermelon (Jun 7), +4 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Sunflowers (Jul 1), Brussel Sprouts (Jul 6), Pole Beans (Jul 6), Basil (Jul 11), Cosmos (Jul 11), Cucumber (Jul 11), +11 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Cabbage (Aug 5), Carrots (Aug 5), Beets (Aug 6), Dill (Aug 6), Swiss Chard (Aug 6), Calendula (Aug 11), +8 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Arugula (Sep 4), Spinach (Sep 4), Radish (Sep 5). |
| October | Direct sow from: Garlic (Oct 7). First frost around October 7. Last sowing dates: Garlic (Oct 28). |
| 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 Washington, NJ (ZIP 07882)?
The median last spring frost date for Washington, NJ (ZIP code 07882) 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 20; one in ten it runs past May 18.
What is the first fall frost date in Washington, NJ?
The median first fall frost date for Washington, NJ is around October 7. 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 23 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Washington, NJ?
The frost-free growing season in Washington is about 155 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 Washington (155 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 Washington, NJ?
Washington, 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 Washington, NJ?
Start tomatoes indoors Mar 31 and plant out May 19 in Washington. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Washington?
Two: plant Apr 7 and again by Aug 16; both mature before Oct 14.
When do I plant garlic in Washington?
Oct 7 to Oct 28; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Phillipsburg (ZIP 08865) has 166 frost-free days, 11 more than Washington (ZIP 07882). See Phillipsburg ZIP 08865 frost dates
Nearby and related
- Frost dates for Phillipsburg, NJ 08865 (8.1 mi)
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- Frost dates for Hackettstown, NJ 07840 (11.8 mi)
- Frost dates for Long Valley, NJ 07853 (12 mi)
- Frost dates for Easton, PA 18042 (13.4 mi)
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