When to Plant Peppers in New Jersey
In New Jersey, the time to transplant peppers outside runs from Apr 9 – Apr 23 in Atlantic City to May 9 – May 23 in Princeton. In Newark, it's Apr 18 – May 2. The average last spring frost differs by about 4 weeks across the state (Mar 26 in Atlantic City, Apr 25 in Princeton), so use the dates for the town nearest you.
Peppers need even more warmth than tomatoes. Start them early indoors and set them out once the soil has warmed, two to four weeks after the last frost.
- Start indoors: 8–10 weeks before the last frost.
- Transplant outside: 2–4 weeks after the last frost.
Peppers planting dates in New Jersey by city
| City | Zone | Start indoors | Transplant outside |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atlantic City | 8a | Jan 15 – Jan 29 | Apr 9 – Apr 23 |
| Bayonne | 7b | Jan 22 – Feb 5 | Apr 16 – Apr 30 |
| Bergenfield | 7b | Jan 23 – Feb 6 | Apr 17 – May 1 |
| Bridgeton | 7b | Jan 30 – Feb 13 | Apr 24 – May 8 |
| Camden | 7b | Jan 19 – Feb 2 | Apr 13 – Apr 27 |
| Carteret | 7b | Jan 22 – Feb 5 | Apr 16 – Apr 30 |
| Cliffside Park | 7b | Jan 19 – Feb 2 | Apr 13 – Apr 27 |
| Clifton | 7a | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | Apr 29 – May 13 |
| East Orange | 7a | Jan 24 – Feb 7 | Apr 18 – May 2 |
| Elizabeth | 7b | Jan 22 – Feb 5 | Apr 16 – Apr 30 |
| Englewood | 7b | Jan 23 – Feb 6 | Apr 17 – May 1 |
| Fair Lawn | 7a | Jan 23 – Feb 6 | Apr 17 – May 1 |
| Fort Lee | 7b | Jan 23 – Feb 6 | Apr 17 – May 1 |
| Garfield | 7b | Jan 23 – Feb 6 | Apr 17 – May 1 |
| Glassboro | 7b | Jan 28 – Feb 11 | Apr 22 – May 6 |
| Hackensack | 7b | Jan 23 – Feb 6 | Apr 17 – May 1 |
| Hoboken | 7b | Jan 19 – Feb 2 | Apr 13 – Apr 27 |
| Jersey City | 7b | Jan 24 – Feb 7 | Apr 18 – May 2 |
| Kearny | 7b | Jan 24 – Feb 7 | Apr 18 – May 2 |
| Linden | 7b | Jan 22 – Feb 5 | Apr 16 – Apr 30 |
| Lodi | 7b | Jan 23 – Feb 6 | Apr 17 – May 1 |
| Long Branch | 7b | Jan 29 – Feb 12 | Apr 23 – May 7 |
| Millville | 7a | Feb 13 – Feb 27 | May 8 – May 22 |
| New Brunswick | 7a | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | Apr 29 – May 13 |
| Newark | 7b | Jan 24 – Feb 7 | Apr 18 – May 2 |
| Paramus | 7a | Jan 23 – Feb 6 | Apr 17 – May 1 |
| Passaic | 7b | Jan 23 – Feb 6 | Apr 17 – May 1 |
| Paterson | 7a | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | Apr 29 – May 13 |
| Perth Amboy | 7b | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | Apr 29 – May 13 |
| Plainfield | 7a | Jan 31 – Feb 14 | Apr 25 – May 9 |
| Princeton | 7a | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | May 9 – May 23 |
| Rahway | 7b | Jan 31 – Feb 14 | Apr 25 – May 9 |
| Ridgewood | 7a | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | Apr 29 – May 13 |
| Sayreville | 7a | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | Apr 29 – May 13 |
| South Plainfield | 7a | Jan 31 – Feb 14 | Apr 25 – May 9 |
| Trenton | 7a | Feb 6 – Feb 20 | May 1 – May 15 |
| Union City | 7b | Jan 19 – Feb 2 | Apr 13 – Apr 27 |
| Vineland | 7a | Feb 13 – Feb 27 | May 8 – May 22 |
| West New York | 7b | Jan 19 – Feb 2 | Apr 13 – Apr 27 |
| Westfield | 7a | Jan 31 – Feb 14 | Apr 25 – May 9 |
Calculated from each town's average (50%) frost dates, from the nearest NOAA station (1991–2020). Typical dates for the 2027 planting season, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 averages. They are long-term odds, not a forecast: always check your local forecast before planting. Zones: 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (USDA-ARS and Oregon State University). Not the official map; see planthardiness.ars.usda.gov.
See all frost dates in New Jersey, or the general guide to when to plant peppers.
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