Frost dates for 08086Thorofare, NJ
The average last spring frost in Thorofare is April 2 and the average first fall frost is November 10, giving a typical growing season of about 224 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 2
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 10
- Growing season
- 224 days
Safer after Apr 13 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 30 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 7 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 1 · Apr 13 · Apr 28 | Oct 18 · Oct 31 · Nov 12 | 200 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 19 · Apr 2 · Apr 13 | Oct 30 · Nov 10 · Nov 24 | 224 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 7 · Mar 22 · Apr 3 | Nov 7 · Nov 23 · Dec 8 | 246 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Thorofare
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 2 – May 8 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 18 – Jul 21 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 2 – Apr 2 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 2 – Jun 2 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 19 – Apr 17 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 2 – Jun 2 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 2 – Jul 31 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 18 – Jun 2 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 2 – Jun 2 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 18 – Aug 23 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 18 – Jul 21 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 2 – Jun 2 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 25 – May 18 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 2 – Apr 17 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 2 – May 2 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 19 – Feb 15 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 19 – Apr 17 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 12 – Mar 18 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 19 – Apr 17 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Jul 21 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 10 – Aug 21 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 2 – Mar 2 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 2 – Apr 2 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Jul 31 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 31 – Aug 31 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 2 – May 18 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 31 – Sep 16 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 23 – Apr 8 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 17 – Sep 21 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 2 – Apr 22 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 31 – Oct 1 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 19 – Apr 8 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 24 – Aug 31 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – May 18 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Aug 16 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 31 – Dec 1 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 08086 is matched to the NOAA station Philadelphia Intl Ap, PA, 4 km away, at 10 ft elevation (3 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia Intl Ap, PA (used) | 10 ft | Apr 2 | Nov 10 |
| Phila Franklin Inst, PA | 60 ft | Mar 30 | Nov 17 |
| Glassboro 2 Ne, NJ | 100 ft | Apr 8 | Nov 1 |
| Pennsauken 1N, NJ | 46 ft | Apr 15 | Oct 31 |
Frost dates near Thorofare
- National Park, NJ 08063 · last Apr 2, first Nov 10
- Paulsboro, NJ 08066 · last Apr 2, first Nov 10
- Mount Royal, NJ 08061 · last Apr 2, first Nov 10
- Woodbury Heights, NJ 08097 · last Apr 2, first Nov 10
- Philadelphia, PA 19112 · last Apr 2, first Nov 10
- Westville, NJ 08093 · last Apr 2, first Nov 10
- Clarksboro, NJ 08020 · last Apr 2, first Nov 10
- Wenonah, NJ 08090 · last Apr 2, first Nov 10
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Thorofare, NJ?
- For ZIP code 08086, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 2, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Philadelphia Intl Ap, PA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 13.
- When is the first frost in Thorofare, NJ?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 10. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 30, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 08086?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 224 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.