Cape May, NJ frost dates
Last spring frostApr 1median date
First fall frostNov 9median date
Growing season222 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone8aZone 8a
How Cape May compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Cape May falls between March 19 and April 15, a 27-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 26 and November 26.
- The median last frost is 15 days earlier than the New Jersey median of Apr 16.
- Its 222-day growing season is longer than 91% of the 582 New Jersey places with a regular frost season (state median 194 days).
- The last frost is typical for zone 8a, where the median is Mar 29.
- The weather station records an average of 72 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Vineland, NJ, 57 km away, the last frost here is 23 days earlier than there and the growing season is 40 days longer.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 19 |
| 50% (median) | April 1 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 15 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 26 |
| 50% (median) | November 9 |
| 90% (late) | November 26 |
Frost here means 32°F (0°C). A median date means half of years have their last frost earlier and half later.
Planting calendar for Cape May, NJ
Cape May, NJ frost dates — last frost Apr 1, first frost Nov 9, zone 8a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Jan 7 to Jan 21Transplant outside: Mar 4 to Mar 18
Start indoors: Jan 21 to Feb 4Transplant outside: Apr 15 to Apr 29
Start indoors: Jan 21 to Feb 4Transplant outside: Apr 15 to Apr 29
Start indoors: Feb 4 to Feb 18Transplant outside: Apr 8 to Apr 22
Start indoors: Feb 4 to Feb 18Transplant outside: Mar 11 to Mar 25Sow outdoors: Mar 4 to Apr 8Plant for fall: Sep 14 to Oct 12
Start indoors: Feb 4 to Feb 18Transplant outside: Mar 4 to Mar 18Sow outdoors: Mar 4 to Mar 18Plant for fall: Aug 31 to Sep 21
Start indoors: Feb 4 to Feb 18Transplant outside: Mar 18 to Apr 1Plant for fall: Aug 3 to Aug 24
Start indoors: Feb 4 to Feb 18Transplant outside: Mar 11 to Mar 25Plant for fall: Aug 3 to Aug 24
Start indoors: Feb 4 to Feb 18Transplant outside: Mar 18 to Apr 1Plant for fall: Aug 3 to Aug 24
Start indoors: Feb 18 to Mar 4Transplant outside: Apr 22 to May 6Sow outdoors: Apr 22 to May 6
Start indoors: Feb 18 to Mar 4Transplant outside: Apr 8 to Apr 22
Sow outdoors: Feb 18 to Mar 11Plant for fall: Aug 17 to Sep 7
Sow outdoors: Feb 18 to Mar 11Plant for fall: Sep 14 to Oct 5
Sow outdoors: Feb 25 to Apr 8Plant for fall: Sep 28 to Oct 19
Start indoors: Mar 4 to Mar 11Transplant outside: Apr 15 to Apr 22Sow outdoors: Apr 8 to Apr 22Plant for fall: Aug 24 to Sep 7
Start indoors: Mar 4 to Mar 11Sow outdoors: Apr 8 to Apr 22Plant for fall: Aug 31 to Sep 14
Start indoors: Mar 4 to Mar 11Sow outdoors: Apr 8 to Apr 22
Start indoors: Mar 4 to Mar 11Transplant outside: Apr 15 to Apr 29
Sow outdoors: Mar 11 to Apr 8Plant for fall: Aug 17 to Aug 31
Sow outdoors: Mar 11 to Apr 8Plant for fall: Aug 31 to Sep 14
Sow outdoors: Mar 11 to Apr 1
Sow outdoors: Mar 18 to Apr 15Plant for fall: Aug 31 to Sep 14
Sow outdoors: Mar 18 to Apr 8Plant for fall: Sep 14 to Oct 5
Sow outdoors: Apr 8 to Apr 29Plant for fall: Aug 24 to Sep 7
Sow outdoors: Apr 8 to Apr 22
Transplant outside: Apr 15 to May 6
Plant for fall: Oct 26 to Nov 30
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Cape May, NJ
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 7 – Jan 21 | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 21 – Feb 4 | Apr 15 – Apr 29 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 21 – Feb 4 | Apr 15 – Apr 29 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | Mar 4 – Apr 8 | Sep 14 – Oct 12 |
| Kale | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | Aug 31 – Sep 21 |
| Broccoli | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | — | Aug 3 – Aug 24 |
| Cabbage | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | — | Aug 3 – Aug 24 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | — | Aug 3 – Aug 24 |
| Okra | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | Apr 22 – May 6 | Apr 22 – May 6 | — |
| Basil | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 18 – Mar 11 | Aug 17 – Sep 7 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 18 – Mar 11 | Sep 14 – Oct 5 |
| Radishes | — | — | Feb 25 – Apr 8 | Sep 28 – Oct 19 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 4 – Mar 11 | Apr 15 – Apr 22 | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | Aug 24 – Sep 7 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 4 – Mar 11 | — | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | Aug 31 – Sep 14 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 4 – Mar 11 | — | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 4 – Mar 11 | Apr 15 – Apr 29 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 11 – Apr 8 | Aug 17 – Aug 31 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 11 – Apr 8 | Aug 31 – Sep 14 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 11 – Apr 1 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 18 – Apr 15 | Aug 31 – Sep 14 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 18 – Apr 8 | Sep 14 – Oct 5 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 8 – Apr 29 | Aug 24 – Sep 7 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 15 – May 6 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 26 – Nov 30 |
Dates come from the median frost dates and common extension-service timing. Adjust for your soil temperature, microclimate and the varieties you grow.
About these dates
Based on 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for the Cape May 2 Nw, NJ weather station, 2 km away (elevation 20 ft (6 m)).
Frost dates near Cape May
- Cape May Point Apr 1 · Nov 9
- Villas Apr 1 · Nov 9
- Rio Grande Apr 1 · Nov 9
- Wildwood Apr 1 · Nov 9
- Green Creek Apr 1 · Nov 9
- Whitesboro Apr 1 · Nov 9
- South Dennis Apr 24 · Oct 22
- Stone Harbor Apr 1 · Nov 9
- Goshen Apr 24 · Oct 22
- Avalon Apr 24 · Oct 22
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Cape May, NJ?
The median last spring frost in Cape May, NJ is April 1. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 15, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Cape May, NJ?
The median first fall frost is November 9, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 26.
How long is the growing season in Cape May, NJ?
About 222 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Cape May, NJ?
Cape May, NJ is in USDA hardiness zone 8a.