Frost dates for 08242Rio Grande, NJ
The average last spring frost in Rio Grande is April 1 and the average first fall frost is November 9, giving a typical growing season of about 222 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 1
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 9
- Growing season
- 222 days
Safer after Apr 15 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 26 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 6 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 17 · May 2 | Oct 13 · Oct 29 · Nov 11 | 193 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 19 · Apr 1 · Apr 15 | Oct 26 · Nov 9 · Nov 26 | 222 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 4 · Mar 19 · Mar 31 | Nov 7 · Nov 23 · Dec 11 | 248 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Rio Grande
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 1 – May 7 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 17 – Jul 20 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 1 – Apr 1 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 1 – Jun 1 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 18 – Apr 16 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 1 – Jun 1 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 1 – Jul 30 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 17 – Jun 1 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 1 – Jun 1 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 17 – Aug 22 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 17 – Jul 20 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 1 – Jun 1 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 24 – May 17 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 1 – Apr 16 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 1 – May 1 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 18 – Feb 14 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 18 – Apr 16 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 11 – Mar 17 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 18 – Apr 16 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Jul 20 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 9 – Aug 20 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 1 – Mar 1 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 1 – Apr 1 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 30 – Jul 30 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 30 – Aug 30 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 1 – May 17 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 30 – Sep 15 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 22 – Apr 7 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 16 – Sep 20 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 1 – Apr 21 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 30 – Sep 30 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 18 – Apr 7 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 23 – Aug 30 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – May 17 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 30 – Aug 15 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 30 – Nov 30 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 08242 is matched to the NOAA station Cape May 2 Nw, NJ, 9 km away, at 20 ft elevation (0 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cape May 2 Nw, NJ (used) | 20 ft | Apr 1 | Nov 9 |
| Belleplain Stn Forest, NJ | 30 ft | Apr 24 | Oct 22 |
| Lewes, DE | 10 ft | Mar 29 | Nov 14 |
| Estell Manor, NJ | 85 ft | Apr 24 | Oct 22 |
Frost dates near Rio Grande
- Whitesboro, NJ 08252 · last Apr 1, first Nov 9
- Green Creek, NJ 08219 · last Apr 1, first Nov 9
- Wildwood, NJ 08260 · last Apr 1, first Nov 9
- Villas, NJ 08251 · last Apr 1, first Nov 9
- Cape May, NJ 08204 · last Apr 1, first Nov 9
- South Dennis, NJ 08245 · last Apr 1, first Nov 9
- Stone Harbor, NJ 08247 · last Apr 1, first Nov 9
- Cape May Point, NJ 08212 · last Apr 1, first Nov 9
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Rio Grande, NJ?
- For ZIP code 08242, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 1, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Cape May 2 Nw, NJ weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 15.
- When is the first frost in Rio Grande, NJ?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 9. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 26, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 08242?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 222 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.