When to plant in East Orange, NJ
USDA Zone 7aEverything below — frost dates, hardiness zone, and what to plant when in East Orange, New Jersey — is derived from the closest NOAA station with complete climate normals.
Zone 7a means many perennials and even some tender shrubs overwinter in East Orange, while your frost dates still decide when annuals go out.
Frost probability
HARRISON · 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 Orange’s own odds, recorded at HARRISON.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | May 2 | Apr 16 | Apr 4 | Oct 12 | Oct 27 | Nov 9 |
| 32°F | Apr 16 | Apr 4 | Mar 23 | Oct 25 | Nov 6 | Nov 22 |
| 28°F | Apr 5 | Mar 26 | Mar 11 | Nov 5 | Nov 19 | Dec 5 |
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 Orange, 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.
East Orange planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in East Orange, NJ?
East Orange's average last spring frost falls near April 4 — the 50% mark at 32°F in the 1991–2020 normals. Hold tender transplants until the risk has passed, then plant out.
When is the first fall frost in East Orange, NJ?
In East Orange, the first 32°F freeze of fall lands around November 6 on average. Time your last harvests and any season-extension cover before it.
What hardiness zone is East Orange in?
East Orange 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 Orange?
There are roughly 216 frost-free days in East Orange (a long growing season), running from the average last frost around April 4 to the first fall frost near November 6.
When should I plant tomatoes in East Orange?
In East Orange, start tomato seeds indoors around February 7–February 21, then transplant seedlings outdoors around April 11 once the danger of frost has passed.
Never miss a window in East Orange
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to East Orange’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- Harrison · 6 km
- Newark · 6 km
- North Arlington · 8 km
- Kearny · 8 km
- Upper Montclair · 9 km
- Short Hills · 10 km
- Rutherford · 11 km
- Elizabeth · 11 km
Frost dates recorded at HARRISON, 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 Orange, NJ — Frost Dates & Zone 7a." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USC00283704. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/new-jersey/east-orange.