When to Plant Tomatoes in New Jersey
In New Jersey, the time to transplant tomatoes outside runs from Apr 2 – Apr 16 in Atlantic City to May 2 – May 16 in Princeton. In Newark, it's Apr 11 – Apr 25. 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.
Tomatoes are killed by frost and sulk in cold soil. Wait until nights stay above 50°F, usually one to three weeks after the average last frost.
- Start indoors: 6–8 weeks before the last frost.
- Transplant outside: 1–3 weeks after the last frost.
Tomatoes planting dates in New Jersey by city
| City | Zone | Start indoors | Transplant outside |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atlantic City | 8a | Jan 29 – Feb 12 | Apr 2 – Apr 16 |
| Bayonne | 7b | Feb 5 – Feb 19 | Apr 9 – Apr 23 |
| Bergenfield | 7b | Feb 6 – Feb 20 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 |
| Bridgeton | 7b | Feb 13 – Feb 27 | Apr 17 – May 1 |
| Camden | 7b | Feb 2 – Feb 16 | Apr 6 – Apr 20 |
| Carteret | 7b | Feb 5 – Feb 19 | Apr 9 – Apr 23 |
| Cliffside Park | 7b | Feb 2 – Feb 16 | Apr 6 – Apr 20 |
| Clifton | 7a | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | Apr 22 – May 6 |
| East Orange | 7a | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 |
| Elizabeth | 7b | Feb 5 – Feb 19 | Apr 9 – Apr 23 |
| Englewood | 7b | Feb 6 – Feb 20 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 |
| Fair Lawn | 7a | Feb 6 – Feb 20 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 |
| Fort Lee | 7b | Feb 6 – Feb 20 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 |
| Garfield | 7b | Feb 6 – Feb 20 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 |
| Glassboro | 7b | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | Apr 15 – Apr 29 |
| Hackensack | 7b | Feb 6 – Feb 20 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 |
| Hoboken | 7b | Feb 2 – Feb 16 | Apr 6 – Apr 20 |
| Jersey City | 7b | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 |
| Kearny | 7b | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 |
| Linden | 7b | Feb 5 – Feb 19 | Apr 9 – Apr 23 |
| Lodi | 7b | Feb 6 – Feb 20 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 |
| Long Branch | 7b | Feb 12 – Feb 26 | Apr 16 – Apr 30 |
| Millville | 7a | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | May 1 – May 15 |
| New Brunswick | 7a | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | Apr 22 – May 6 |
| Newark | 7b | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 |
| Paramus | 7a | Feb 6 – Feb 20 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 |
| Passaic | 7b | Feb 6 – Feb 20 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 |
| Paterson | 7a | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | Apr 22 – May 6 |
| Perth Amboy | 7b | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | Apr 22 – May 6 |
| Plainfield | 7a | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | Apr 18 – May 2 |
| Princeton | 7a | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | May 2 – May 16 |
| Rahway | 7b | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | Apr 18 – May 2 |
| Ridgewood | 7a | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | Apr 22 – May 6 |
| Sayreville | 7a | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | Apr 22 – May 6 |
| South Plainfield | 7a | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | Apr 18 – May 2 |
| Trenton | 7a | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | Apr 24 – May 8 |
| Union City | 7b | Feb 2 – Feb 16 | Apr 6 – Apr 20 |
| Vineland | 7a | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | May 1 – May 15 |
| West New York | 7b | Feb 2 – Feb 16 | Apr 6 – Apr 20 |
| Westfield | 7a | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | Apr 18 – May 2 |
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 tomatoes.
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