When to plant in Clifton, NJ
USDA Zone 7aEverything below — frost dates, hardiness zone, and what to plant when in Clifton, New Jersey — is derived from the closest NOAA station with complete climate normals.
In zone 7a, Clifton supports a wide range of perennials year-round; the frost dates above are what set your annual vegetable timing.
The average first fall frost in Clifton is now 7 days later than in the 1981–2010 normals. See how frost dates are shifting nationwide →
Frost probability
LITTLE FALLS · 1991–2020The date the last spring and first fall frost occur, by threshold and probability. A 90% date is later in spring — and earlier in fall — than a 10% date; the 50% · 32°F row is what most gardeners plan around. These are Clifton’s own odds, recorded at LITTLE FALLS.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | May 12 | Apr 27 | Apr 13 | Oct 4 | Oct 17 | Nov 1 |
| 32°F | May 1 | Apr 15 | Apr 1 | Oct 13 | Oct 28 | Nov 9 |
| 28°F | Apr 16 | Apr 2 | Mar 18 | Oct 24 | Nov 7 | Nov 22 |
Download this table as CSV ↓ — every threshold and probability, plus this city’s planting-window dates.
What to plant now
TODAY · JULY 19Full-year planting calendar
Each bar is the exact window to take a planting action in Clifton, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 10 km · complete 32°F normalsWhen stations disagree by more than a few days, that spread is real microclimate variation — elevation, water, urban heat. Judge which station best matches your own yard.
Clifton planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Clifton, NJ?
On average, the last spring frost in Clifton is around April 15 (50% probability at 32°F, from 1991–2020 NOAA normals). Wait until after this date to set out tender plants like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first fall frost in Clifton, NJ?
The first fall frost in Clifton typically arrives around October 28 (50% probability at 32°F). Harvest or protect frost-sensitive crops before then.
What hardiness zone is Clifton in?
Clifton is in USDA hardiness zone 7a. In zone 7a, winters are moderate — most common vegetables grow well in season.
How long is the growing season in Clifton?
Clifton has about 196 frost-free days — a moderate growing season — between the average last spring frost (April 15) and first fall frost (October 28).
When should I plant tomatoes in Clifton?
For Clifton, sow tomatoes indoors about February 18–March 4 and move the seedlings out around April 22, after the last spring frost.
Never miss a window in Clifton
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Clifton’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- Passaic · 3 km
- Upper Montclair · 4 km
- Woodland Park · 4 km
- Wallington · 5 km
- Garfield · 5 km
- Elmwood Park · 6 km
- Paterson · 6 km
- Wood-Ridge · 6 km
Frost dates recorded at LITTLE FALLS, 6 km from the city center · 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals · zone from the USDA/PRISM 2023 map. How we compute this.
BlissGarden. "When to Plant in Clifton, NJ — Frost Dates & Zone 7a." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USC00284887. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/new-jersey/clifton.