Frost dates for 07021Essex Fells, NJ
The average last spring frost in Essex Fells is April 18 and the average first fall frost is October 24, giving a typical growing season of about 187 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 18
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 24
- Growing season
- 187 days
Safer after May 7 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 8 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 168 days
Frost risk by date
NOAA reports frost dates as probabilities. The middle date is the average (a 50% chance). For spring, the 10% date is a safer planting date: frost after it happens in about 1 year in 10. Light frost (36°F) can damage tender plants; a hard freeze (28°F) kills most annuals.
| Temperature | Last spring: 90% / 50% / 10% chance | First fall: 10% / 50% / 90% chance | Growing season (50%) | Years with at least one |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light frost (36°F) | Apr 17 · May 1 · May 18 | Sep 30 · Oct 11 · Oct 26 | 161 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 3 · Apr 18 · May 7 | Oct 8 · Oct 24 · Nov 6 | 187 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 22 · Apr 3 · Apr 19 | Oct 21 · Nov 4 · Nov 20 | 212 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Essex Fells
Planting windows from the University of Maryland Extension calendar, shifted to your average frost dates. Use them as a starting point and adjust for seed packet instructions and local conditions.
| Crop | Task | Window |
|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Start seeds indoors | Mar 18 – May 24 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 4 – Jul 4 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 18 – Apr 18 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 18 – Jun 18 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 4 – May 3 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 18 – Jun 18 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 18 – Jul 14 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 4 – Jun 18 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 18 – Jun 18 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 4 – Aug 6 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 4 – Jul 4 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 18 – Jun 18 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 11 – Jun 3 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 18 – May 3 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 18 – May 18 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 4 – Mar 3 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 4 – May 3 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 28 – Apr 3 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 4 – May 3 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 24 – Jul 4 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 24 – Aug 4 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 18 – Mar 18 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 18 – Apr 18 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 14 – Jul 14 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Aug 14 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 18 – Jun 3 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Aug 30 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 11 – Apr 24 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 31 – Sep 4 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 18 – May 8 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Sep 14 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 4 – Apr 24 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 7 – Aug 14 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 18 – Jun 3 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 14 – Jul 30 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 14 – Nov 14 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 07021 is matched to the NOAA station Essex Fells Service Bldg, NJ, 0.6 km away, at 350 ft elevation (158 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essex Fells Service Bldg, NJ (used) | 350 ft | Apr 18 | Oct 24 |
| Caldwell Essex Co Ap, NJ | 173 ft | Apr 14 | Oct 28 |
| Little Falls, NJ | 150 ft | Apr 15 | Oct 28 |
| Canoe Brook, NJ | 180 ft | Apr 18 | Oct 27 |
Frost dates near Essex Fells
- Caldwell, NJ 07007 · last Apr 18, first Oct 24
- Roseland, NJ 07068 · last Apr 18, first Oct 24
- Verona, NJ 07044 · last Apr 18, first Oct 24
- Orange, NJ 07051 · last Apr 18, first Oct 24
- Newark, NJ 07184 · last Apr 18, first Oct 24
- West Orange, NJ 07052 · last Apr 18, first Oct 24
- Cedar Grove, NJ 07009 · last Apr 18, first Oct 24
- Livingston, NJ 07039 · last Apr 18, first Oct 24
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Essex Fells, NJ?
- For ZIP code 07021, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 18, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Essex Fells Service Bldg, NJ weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 7.
- When is the first frost in Essex Fells, NJ?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 24. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 8, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 07021?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 187 days long.
- Are these frost dates a forecast?
- No. They are 30-year averages and probabilities from NOAA weather station records. Use them to plan, then watch your local forecast before planting tender crops or leaving them uncovered.