Frost dates for 08205Absecon, NJ
The average last spring frost in Absecon is April 18 and the average first fall frost is October 29, giving a typical growing season of about 190 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 18
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 29
- Growing season
- 190 days
Safer after May 5 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 13 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 166 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 16 · Apr 30 · May 16 | Oct 4 · Oct 18 · Nov 1 | 167 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 2 · Apr 18 · May 5 | Oct 13 · Oct 29 · Nov 11 | 190 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 22 · Apr 5 · Apr 20 | Oct 25 · Nov 8 · Nov 23 | 214 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Absecon
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 9 |
| 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 19 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 4 – Jun 18 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 18 – Jun 18 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 4 – Aug 11 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 4 – Jul 9 |
| 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 29 – Jul 9 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 29 – Aug 9 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 18 – Mar 18 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 18 – Apr 18 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 19 – Jul 19 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 19 – Aug 19 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 18 – Jun 3 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 19 – Sep 4 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 11 – Apr 24 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 5 – Sep 9 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 18 – May 8 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 19 – Sep 19 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 4 – Apr 24 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Aug 19 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 18 – Jun 3 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 19 – Aug 4 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 19 – Nov 19 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 08205 is matched to the NOAA station Atlantic City Intl Ap, NJ, 9.8 km away, at 60 ft elevation (17 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atlantic City Intl Ap, NJ (used) | 60 ft | Apr 18 | Oct 29 |
| Atlantic City, NJ | 10 ft | Mar 26 | Nov 21 |
| Margate, NJ | 16 ft | Mar 26 | Nov 22 |
| Brant Beach-Beach Haven, NJ | 5 ft | Apr 1 | Nov 15 |
Frost dates near Absecon
- Oceanville, NJ 08231 · last Apr 18, first Oct 29
- Leeds Point, NJ 08220 · last Apr 18, first Oct 29
- Port Republic, NJ 08241 · last Apr 18, first Oct 29
- Absecon, NJ 08201 · last Mar 26, first Nov 21
- Pomona, NJ 08240 · last Apr 18, first Oct 29
- Brigantine, NJ 08203 · last Mar 26, first Nov 21
- Pleasantville, NJ 08232 · last Mar 26, first Nov 21
- Atlantic City, NJ 08401 · last Mar 26, first Nov 21
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Absecon, NJ?
- For ZIP code 08205, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 18, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Atlantic City Intl Ap, NJ weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 5.
- When is the first frost in Absecon, NJ?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 29. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 13, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 08205?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 190 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.