Frost dates for 07073East Rutherford, NJ
The average last spring frost in East Rutherford is April 3 and the average first fall frost is November 4, giving a typical growing season of about 215 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 3
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 4
- Growing season
- 215 days
Safer after Apr 16 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 21 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 2 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 3 · Apr 16 · May 2 | Oct 10 · Oct 24 · Nov 6 | 190 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 20 · Apr 3 · Apr 16 | Oct 21 · Nov 4 · Nov 20 | 215 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 7 · Mar 23 · Apr 4 | Nov 2 · Nov 16 · Dec 4 | 239 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for East Rutherford
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 3 – May 9 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 19 – Jul 15 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 3 – Apr 3 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 3 – Jun 3 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 20 – Apr 18 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 3 – Jun 3 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 3 – Jul 25 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 19 – Jun 3 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 3 – Jun 3 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 19 – Aug 17 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 19 – Jul 15 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 3 – Jun 3 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 26 – May 19 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 3 – Apr 18 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 3 – May 3 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 20 – Feb 16 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 20 – Apr 18 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 13 – Mar 19 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 20 – Apr 18 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Jul 15 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 4 – Aug 15 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 3 – Mar 3 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 3 – Apr 3 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Jul 25 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Aug 25 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 3 – May 19 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Sep 10 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 24 – Apr 9 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 11 – Sep 15 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 3 – Apr 23 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Sep 25 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 20 – Apr 9 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Aug 25 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – May 19 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Aug 10 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 25 – Nov 25 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 07073 is matched to the NOAA station Teterboro Ap, NJ, 3.8 km away, at 9 ft elevation (53 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Teterboro Ap, NJ (used) | 9 ft | Apr 3 | Nov 4 |
| Harrison, NJ | 24 ft | Apr 4 | Nov 6 |
| Little Falls, NJ | 150 ft | Apr 15 | Oct 28 |
| New York Cntrl Pk Twr, NY | 130 ft | Mar 30 | Nov 20 |
Frost dates near East Rutherford
- Carlstadt, NJ 07072 · last Apr 3, first Nov 4
- Rutherford, NJ 07070 · last Apr 3, first Nov 4
- Wallington, NJ 07057 · last Apr 3, first Nov 4
- Wood Ridge, NJ 07075 · last Apr 3, first Nov 4
- Clifton, NJ 07014 · last Apr 3, first Nov 4
- Passaic, NJ 07055 · last Apr 3, first Nov 4
- Hasbrouck Heights, NJ 07604 · last Apr 3, first Nov 4
- Lyndhurst, NJ 07071 · last Apr 4, first Nov 6
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in East Rutherford, NJ?
- For ZIP code 07073, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 3, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Teterboro Ap, NJ weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 16.
- When is the first frost in East Rutherford, NJ?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 4. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 21, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 07073?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 215 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.