Frost dates for 08085Swedesboro, NJ
The average last spring frost in Swedesboro is March 30 and the average first fall frost is November 16, giving a typical growing season of about 230 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 30
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 16
- Growing season
- 230 days
Safer after Apr 9 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 2 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 13 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) | Mar 30 · Apr 9 · Apr 22 | Oct 21 · Nov 2 · Nov 17 | 206 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 16 · Mar 30 · Apr 9 | Nov 2 · Nov 16 · Dec 2 | 230 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 4 · Mar 20 · Mar 31 | Nov 11 · Nov 28 · Dec 15 | 252 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Swedesboro
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 | Feb 27 – May 5 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 15 – Jul 27 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 27 – Mar 30 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 29 – May 30 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 16 – Apr 14 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 29 – May 30 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 29 – Aug 6 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 15 – May 30 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 29 – May 30 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 15 – Aug 29 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 15 – Jul 27 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 29 – May 30 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 22 – May 15 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 27 – Apr 14 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 27 – Apr 29 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 16 – Feb 12 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 16 – Apr 14 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 9 – Mar 15 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 16 – Apr 14 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 17 – Jul 27 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 16 – Aug 27 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 30 – Feb 27 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 27 – Mar 30 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 7 – Aug 6 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 6 – Sep 6 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 27 – May 15 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 6 – Sep 22 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 20 – Apr 5 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 23 – Sep 27 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 27 – Apr 19 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 6 – Oct 7 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 16 – Apr 5 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 30 – Sep 6 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – May 15 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 7 – Aug 22 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 6 – Dec 7 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 08085 is matched to the NOAA station Marcus Hook, PA, 11.3 km away, at 10 ft elevation (7 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marcus Hook, PA (used) | 10 ft | Mar 30 | Nov 16 |
| Philadelphia Intl Ap, PA | 10 ft | Apr 2 | Nov 10 |
| Wilmington Porter Rsch, DE | 270 ft | Apr 7 | Nov 4 |
| Glassboro 2 Ne, NJ | 100 ft | Apr 8 | Nov 1 |
Frost dates near Swedesboro
- Bridgeport, NJ 08014 · last Mar 30, first Nov 16
- Pedricktown, NJ 08067 · last Mar 30, first Nov 16
- Mickleton, NJ 08056 · last Apr 2, first Nov 10
- Harrisonville, NJ 08039 · last Apr 2, first Nov 10
- Gibbstown, NJ 08027 · last Apr 2, first Nov 10
- Clarksboro, NJ 08020 · last Apr 2, first Nov 10
- Chester, PA 19013 · last Mar 30, first Nov 16
- Penns Grove, NJ 08069 · last Mar 30, first Nov 16
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Swedesboro, NJ?
- For ZIP code 08085, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 30, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Marcus Hook, PA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 9.
- When is the first frost in Swedesboro, NJ?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 16. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 2, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 08085?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 230 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.