When to plant in East Franklin, NJ
USDA Zone 7aHere are the average frost dates, USDA hardiness zone, and a month-by-month planting calendar for East Franklin, New Jersey — all computed from East Franklin's nearest NOAA weather station.
Zone 7a means many perennials and even some tender shrubs overwinter in East Franklin, while your frost dates still decide when annuals go out.
Frost probability
NEW BRUNSWICK 3 SE · 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 East Franklin’s own odds, recorded at NEW BRUNSWICK 3 SE.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | May 14 | Apr 29 | Apr 14 | Oct 3 | Oct 14 | Oct 30 |
| 32°F | May 1 | Apr 15 | Apr 2 | Oct 11 | Oct 26 | Nov 8 |
| 28°F | Apr 17 | Apr 2 | Mar 18 | Oct 23 | Nov 7 | Nov 23 |
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 East Franklin, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 21 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.
East Franklin planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in East Franklin, NJ?
Plan for the last spring frost in East Franklin around April 15 (the date it has a 50% chance of a 32°F freeze). Anything frost-sensitive should go out after it.
When is the first fall frost in East Franklin, NJ?
In East Franklin, the first 32°F freeze of fall lands around October 26 on average. Time your last harvests and any season-extension cover before it.
What hardiness zone is East Franklin in?
East Franklin 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 East Franklin?
There are roughly 194 frost-free days in East Franklin (a moderate growing season), running from the average last frost around April 15 to the first fall frost near October 26.
When should I plant tomatoes in East Franklin?
In East Franklin, start tomato seeds indoors around February 18–March 4, then transplant seedlings outdoors around April 22 once the danger of frost has passed.
Never miss a window in East Franklin
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to East Franklin’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- New Brunswick · 2 km
- Somerset · 3 km
- Highland Park · 4 km
- Franklin Park · 8 km
- Middlesex · 9 km
- South River · 9 km
- Bound Brook · 10 km
- South Plainfield · 10 km
Frost dates recorded at NEW BRUNSWICK 3 SE, 5 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 East Franklin, NJ — Frost Dates & Zone 7a." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USC00286055. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/new-jersey/east-franklin.