Frost dates for 08882South River, NJ
The average last spring frost in South River is April 15 and the average first fall frost is October 26, giving a typical growing season of about 193 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 15
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 26
- Growing season
- 193 days
Safer after May 1 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 11 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 165 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 14 · Apr 29 · May 14 | Oct 3 · Oct 14 · Oct 30 | 169 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 2 · Apr 15 · May 1 | Oct 11 · Oct 26 · Nov 8 | 193 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 18 · Apr 2 · Apr 17 | Oct 23 · Nov 7 · Nov 23 | 218 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for South 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 15 – May 21 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 1 – Jul 6 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 15 – Apr 15 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 15 – Jun 15 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 1 – Apr 30 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 15 – Jun 15 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 15 – Jul 16 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 1 – Jun 15 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 15 – Jun 15 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 1 – Aug 8 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 1 – Jul 6 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 15 – Jun 15 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 8 – May 31 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 15 – Apr 30 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 15 – May 15 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 1 – Feb 28 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – Apr 30 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 25 – Mar 31 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – Apr 30 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 26 – Jul 6 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 26 – Aug 6 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 15 – Mar 15 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 15 – Apr 15 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 16 – Jul 16 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Aug 16 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 15 – May 31 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Sep 1 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 8 – Apr 21 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 2 – Sep 6 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 15 – May 5 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Sep 16 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – Apr 21 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Aug 16 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 15 – May 31 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 16 – Aug 1 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 16 – Nov 16 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 08882 is matched to the NOAA station New Brunswick 3 Se, NJ, 4.8 km away, at 111 ft elevation (58 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Brunswick 3 Se, NJ (used) | 111 ft | Apr 15 | Oct 26 |
| Plainfield, NJ | 90 ft | Apr 11 | Oct 28 |
| Freehold-Marlboro, NJ | 194 ft | Apr 17 | Oct 23 |
| Cranford, NJ | 80 ft | Apr 11 | Oct 31 |
Frost dates near South River
- East Brunswick, NJ 08816 · last Apr 15, first Oct 26
- Sayreville, NJ 08872 · last Apr 15, first Oct 26
- Edison, NJ 08818 · last Apr 15, first Oct 26
- Piscataway, NJ 08855 · last Apr 15, first Oct 26
- Perth Amboy, NJ 08862 · last Apr 15, first Oct 26
- New Brunswick, NJ 08989 · last Apr 15, first Oct 26
- Milltown, NJ 08850 · last Apr 15, first Oct 26
- Parlin, NJ 08859 · last Apr 15, first Oct 26
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in South River, NJ?
- For ZIP code 08882, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 15, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the New Brunswick 3 Se, NJ weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 1.
- When is the first frost in South River, NJ?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 26. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 11, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 08882?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 193 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.