Frost dates for 08004Atco, NJ
The average last spring frost in Atco is April 28 and the average first fall frost is October 15, giving a typical growing season of about 169 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 28
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 15
- Growing season
- 169 days
Safer after May 16 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 3 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 176 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 25 · May 10 · May 26 | Sep 24 · Oct 5 · Oct 18 | 147 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 14 · Apr 28 · May 16 | Oct 3 · Oct 15 · Oct 30 | 169 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 29 · Apr 15 · Apr 30 | Oct 10 · Oct 27 · Nov 8 | 194 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Atco
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 28 – Jun 3 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 14 – Jun 25 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 28 – Apr 28 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 28 – Jun 28 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 14 – May 13 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 28 – Jun 28 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 28 – Jul 5 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 14 – Jun 28 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 28 – Jun 28 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 14 – Jul 28 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 14 – Jun 25 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 28 – Jun 28 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 21 – Jun 13 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – May 13 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – May 28 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 14 – Mar 13 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 14 – May 13 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 10 – Apr 13 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 14 – May 13 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 15 – Jun 25 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Jul 26 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 28 – Mar 28 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – Apr 28 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 5 – Jul 5 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Aug 5 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – Jun 13 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Aug 21 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 21 – May 4 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Aug 26 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – May 18 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Sep 5 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 14 – May 4 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Aug 5 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 28 – Jun 13 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 5 – Jul 21 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 5 – Nov 5 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 08004 is matched to the NOAA station Indian Mills 2 W, NJ, 8.5 km away, at 100 ft elevation (11 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indian Mills 2 W, NJ (used) | 100 ft | Apr 28 | Oct 15 |
| Hammonton 1 Ne, NJ | 125 ft | Apr 14 | Oct 27 |
| Glassboro 2 Ne, NJ | 100 ft | Apr 8 | Nov 1 |
| Mt Holly S Jersey Ap, NJ | 53 ft | Apr 15 | Oct 28 |
Frost dates near Atco
- Waterford Works, NJ 08089 · last Apr 14, first Oct 27
- Cedar Brook, NJ 08018 · last Apr 14, first Oct 27
- Berlin, NJ 08009 · last Apr 28, first Oct 15
- West Berlin, NJ 08091 · last Apr 28, first Oct 15
- Sicklerville, NJ 08081 · last Apr 14, first Oct 27
- Deptford, NJ 08096 · last Apr 28, first Oct 15
- Winslow, NJ 08095 · last Apr 14, first Oct 27
- Medford, NJ 08055 · last Apr 15, first Oct 28
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Atco, NJ?
- For ZIP code 08004, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 28, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Indian Mills 2 W, NJ weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 16.
- When is the first frost in Atco, NJ?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 15. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 3, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 08004?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 169 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.