Frost dates for 08543 — Princeton, NJ
Last spring frostApr 17median date
First fall frostOct 28median date
Growing season194 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone7aZone 7a
How Princeton compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Princeton falls between April 2 and May 6, a 34-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 11 and November 10.
- The median last frost is 1 day later than the New Jersey median of Apr 16.
- Its 194-day growing season is longer than 47% of the 582 New Jersey places with a regular frost season (state median 194 days).
- The last frost is typical for zone 7a, where the median is Apr 16.
- The weather station records an average of 109 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Princeton shares its weather station with Trenton, NJ, 3 km away, so the two have the same frost dates.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 2 |
| 50% (median) | April 17 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 6 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 11 |
| 50% (median) | October 28 |
| 90% (late) | November 10 |
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 Princeton, NJ
Frost dates for 08543 — Princeton, NJ — last frost Apr 17, first frost Oct 28, zone 7a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Jan 23 to Feb 6Transplant outside: Mar 20 to Apr 3
Start indoors: Feb 6 to Feb 20Transplant outside: May 1 to May 15
Start indoors: Feb 6 to Feb 20Transplant outside: May 1 to May 15
Start indoors: Feb 20 to Mar 6Transplant outside: Apr 24 to May 8
Start indoors: Feb 20 to Mar 6Transplant outside: Mar 27 to Apr 10Sow outdoors: Mar 20 to Apr 24Plant for fall: Sep 2 to Sep 30
Start indoors: Feb 20 to Mar 6Transplant outside: Mar 20 to Apr 3Sow outdoors: Mar 20 to Apr 3Plant for fall: Aug 19 to Sep 9
Start indoors: Feb 20 to Mar 6Transplant outside: Apr 3 to Apr 17Plant for fall: Jul 22 to Aug 12
Start indoors: Feb 20 to Mar 6Transplant outside: Mar 27 to Apr 10Plant for fall: Jul 22 to Aug 12
Start indoors: Feb 20 to Mar 6Transplant outside: Apr 3 to Apr 17Plant for fall: Jul 22 to Aug 12
Start indoors: Mar 6 to Mar 20Transplant outside: May 8 to May 22Sow outdoors: May 8 to May 22
Start indoors: Mar 6 to Mar 20Transplant outside: Apr 24 to May 8
Sow outdoors: Mar 6 to Mar 27Plant for fall: Aug 5 to Aug 26
Sow outdoors: Mar 6 to Mar 27Plant for fall: Sep 2 to Sep 23
Sow outdoors: Mar 13 to Apr 24Plant for fall: Sep 16 to Oct 7
Start indoors: Mar 20 to Mar 27Transplant outside: May 1 to May 8Sow outdoors: Apr 24 to May 8Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Aug 26
Start indoors: Mar 20 to Mar 27Sow outdoors: Apr 24 to May 8Plant for fall: Aug 19 to Sep 2
Start indoors: Mar 20 to Mar 27Sow outdoors: Apr 24 to May 8
Start indoors: Mar 20 to Mar 27Transplant outside: May 1 to May 15
Sow outdoors: Mar 27 to Apr 24Plant for fall: Aug 5 to Aug 19
Sow outdoors: Mar 27 to Apr 24Plant for fall: Aug 19 to Sep 2
Sow outdoors: Mar 27 to Apr 17
Sow outdoors: Apr 3 to May 1Plant for fall: Aug 19 to Sep 2
Sow outdoors: Apr 3 to Apr 24Plant for fall: Sep 2 to Sep 23
Sow outdoors: Apr 24 to May 15Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Aug 26
Sow outdoors: Apr 24 to May 8
Transplant outside: May 1 to May 22
Plant for fall: Oct 14 to Nov 18
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Princeton, NJ
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 23 – Feb 6 | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 6 – Feb 20 | May 1 – May 15 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 6 – Feb 20 | May 1 – May 15 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | Apr 24 – May 8 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | Mar 20 – Apr 24 | Sep 2 – Sep 30 |
| Kale | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | Aug 19 – Sep 9 |
| Broccoli | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | — | Jul 22 – Aug 12 |
| Cabbage | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | — | Jul 22 – Aug 12 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | — | Jul 22 – Aug 12 |
| Okra | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | May 8 – May 22 | May 8 – May 22 | — |
| Basil | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | Apr 24 – May 8 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 6 – Mar 27 | Aug 5 – Aug 26 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 6 – Mar 27 | Sep 2 – Sep 23 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 13 – Apr 24 | Sep 16 – Oct 7 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 20 – Mar 27 | May 1 – May 8 | Apr 24 – May 8 | Aug 12 – Aug 26 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 20 – Mar 27 | — | Apr 24 – May 8 | Aug 19 – Sep 2 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 20 – Mar 27 | — | Apr 24 – May 8 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 20 – Mar 27 | May 1 – May 15 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 27 – Apr 24 | Aug 5 – Aug 19 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 27 – Apr 24 | Aug 19 – Sep 2 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 27 – Apr 17 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 3 – May 1 | Aug 19 – Sep 2 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 3 – Apr 24 | Sep 2 – Sep 23 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 24 – May 15 | Aug 12 – Aug 26 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 24 – May 8 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 1 – May 22 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 14 – Nov 18 |
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 Trenton State College, NJ weather station, 7 km away (elevation 102 ft (31 m)).
ZIP codes in Princeton: 08540 08541 08542 08543 08544
Frost dates near Princeton
- Trenton Apr 17 · Oct 28
- Princeton Junction Apr 25 · Oct 16
- Joint Base Mdl Apr 17 · Oct 28
- Lawrence Township Apr 17 · Oct 28
- Millstone Township Apr 25 · Oct 16
- Pennington Apr 10 · Nov 1
- Windsor Apr 25 · Oct 16
- Hopewell Apr 16 · Oct 27
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Princeton, NJ?
The median last spring frost in Princeton, NJ is April 17. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 6, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Princeton, NJ?
The median first fall frost is October 28, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 11.
How long is the growing season in Princeton, NJ?
About 194 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Princeton, NJ?
Princeton, NJ is in USDA hardiness zone 7a.