Frost dates for 08753Toms River, NJ
The average last spring frost in Toms River is April 23 and the average first fall frost is October 20, giving a typical growing season of about 179 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 23
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 20
- Growing season
- 179 days
Safer after May 12 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 8 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 171 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 20 · May 4 · May 22 | Sep 27 · Oct 8 · Oct 21 | 157 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 8 · Apr 23 · May 12 | Oct 8 · Oct 20 · Nov 1 | 179 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 27 · Apr 8 · Apr 28 | Oct 18 · Nov 1 · Nov 14 | 204 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Toms River
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 23 – May 29 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 9 – Jun 30 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 23 – Apr 23 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 23 – Jun 23 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 9 – May 8 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 23 – Jun 23 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 23 – Jul 10 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 9 – Jun 23 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 23 – Jun 23 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 9 – Aug 2 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 9 – Jun 30 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 23 – Jun 23 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Jun 8 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – May 8 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – May 23 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 9 – Mar 8 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 9 – May 8 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 8 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 9 – May 8 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 20 – Jun 30 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 20 – Jul 31 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 23 – Mar 23 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – Apr 23 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 10 – Jul 10 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Aug 10 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – Jun 8 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Aug 26 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 16 – Apr 29 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 27 – Aug 31 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – May 13 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Sep 10 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 9 – Apr 29 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Aug 10 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 23 – Jun 8 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 10 – Jul 26 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 10 – Nov 10 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 08753 is matched to the NOAA station Toms River, NJ, 6 km away, at 10 ft elevation (16 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toms River, NJ (used) | 10 ft | Apr 23 | Oct 20 |
| Long Branch-Oakhurst, NJ | 30 ft | Apr 9 | Nov 3 |
| Freehold-Marlboro, NJ | 194 ft | Apr 17 | Oct 23 |
| Brant Beach-Beach Haven, NJ | 5 ft | Apr 1 | Nov 15 |
Frost dates near Toms River
- Manchester Township, NJ 08759 · last Apr 23, first Oct 20
- Island Heights, NJ 08732 · last Apr 23, first Oct 20
- Pine Beach, NJ 08741 · last Apr 23, first Oct 20
- Ocean Gate, NJ 08740 · last Apr 23, first Oct 20
- Toms River, NJ 08755 · last Apr 23, first Oct 20
- Beachwood, NJ 08722 · last Apr 23, first Oct 20
- Lavallette, NJ 08735 · last Apr 23, first Oct 20
- Bayville, NJ 08721 · last Apr 23, first Oct 20
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Toms River, NJ?
- For ZIP code 08753, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 23, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Toms River, NJ weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 12.
- When is the first frost in Toms River, NJ?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 20. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 8, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 08753?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 179 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.