East Orange, NJ planting zone & frost dates
East Orange is in USDA hardiness zone 7a. The last spring frost usually comes around April 4 and the first fall frost around November 6, for a growing season of about 216 days.
Planting calendar for East Orange
Dates are counted from the average last spring frost (April 4) using the typical timing recommended by U.S. extension services. Warm-season crops go out only after the danger of frost has passed and the soil has warmed.
| Crop | When |
|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Start seeds indoors: Feb 7 – Feb 21 Transplant outdoors: Apr 11 – Apr 18 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors: Jan 24 – Feb 7 Transplant outdoors: Apr 18 – Apr 25 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors: Jan 24 – Feb 7 Transplant outdoors: Apr 18 – Apr 25 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors: Jan 24 – Feb 7 Transplant outdoors: Mar 7 – Mar 21 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors: Jan 24 – Feb 7 Transplant outdoors: Mar 7 – Mar 21 |
| Onions (sets) | Plant outdoors: Mar 7 – Mar 21 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors: Feb 21 – Mar 7 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors: Feb 21 – Mar 7 |
| Lettuce | Sow outdoors: Mar 7 – Mar 21 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors: Mar 7 – Mar 21 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors: Mar 7 – Mar 21 |
| Beans | Sow outdoors: Apr 11 – Apr 18 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors: Apr 11 – Apr 18 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors: Apr 11 – Apr 18 |
| Squash & zucchini | Sow outdoors: Apr 11 – Apr 18 |
| Basil | Start seeds indoors: Feb 21 – Mar 7 Transplant outdoors: Apr 11 – Apr 18 |
Fall garden: cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach and kale can be sown again around Sep 11 (8 weeks before the average first fall frost on Nov 6).
Useful for zone 7a gardens
- Seed starting kit with dome — to start seeds indoors before the last frost
- LED grow light for seedlings — stops leggy seedlings
- Frost cloth / plant covers — for late spring and early fall frosts
- Soil thermometer — warm-season crops need soil above 60°F
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Frost risk in detail
| 90% chance | 50% chance | 10% chance | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Last 32°F frost in spring is after | Mar 23 | Apr 4 | Apr 16 |
| First 32°F frost in fall is before | Nov 22 | Nov 6 | Oct 25 |
How to read it: in spring there is a 10% chance of a frost after April 16, so that is a safe date for tender plants. In fall there is a 10% chance of frost before October 25. A hard freeze (28°F) usually ends around March 26.
Hardiness zone by ZIP code in East Orange
- 07017 zone 7a
- 07018 zone 7a
- 07019 zone 7a
Nearby cities
- Orange zone 7a, last frost Apr 4
- Bloomfield zone 7a, last frost Apr 4
- Newark zone 7b, last frost Apr 4
- Irvington zone 7b, last frost Apr 4
- West Orange zone 7a, last frost Apr 18
- Harrison zone 7b, last frost Apr 4
- Montclair zone 7a, last frost Apr 18
- South Orange zone 7a, last frost Apr 18
Questions
What growing zone is East Orange, NJ?
East Orange is in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 7a (average extreme winter low 0°F to 5°F), according to the USDA 2023 map.
When is the last frost in East Orange?
The average last spring frost (32°F) in East Orange is April 4. There is still a 10% chance of frost until April 16.
When can I plant tomatoes in East Orange?
Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after the average last frost: around Apr 11 – Apr 18. Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost.
Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Harrison, NJ (USC00283704), 4.9 km (3.0 mi) from the city center, elevation 7 m, based on 15 years of records. Hardiness zone: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map 2023 for the ZIP code nearest to the city center. Microclimates (valleys, hills, cities, coasts) can be warmer or colder: check the local forecast before planting. How we calculate the data.