When to plant in Lakewood, NJ
USDA Zone 7aHere are the average frost dates, USDA hardiness zone, and a month-by-month planting calendar for Lakewood, New Jersey — all computed from Lakewood's nearest NOAA weather station.
Heads up: the nearest complete-normals station is about 16 km from Lakewood, so your yard's frost dates can differ — a low spot or a paved city center can shift them by a week. Zone 7a means many perennials and even some tender shrubs overwinter in Lakewood, while your frost dates still decide when annuals go out.
Frost probability
TOMS RIVER · 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 Lakewood’s own odds, recorded at TOMS RIVER.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | May 22 | May 4 | Apr 20 | Sep 27 | Oct 8 | Oct 21 |
| 32°F | May 12 | Apr 23 | Apr 8 | Oct 8 | Oct 20 | Nov 1 |
| 28°F | Apr 28 | Apr 8 | Mar 27 | Oct 18 | Nov 1 | Nov 14 |
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 Lakewood, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 29 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.
Lakewood planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Lakewood, NJ?
Plan for the last spring frost in Lakewood around April 23 (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 Lakewood, NJ?
The first fall frost in Lakewood typically arrives around October 20 (50% probability at 32°F). Harvest or protect frost-sensitive crops before then.
What hardiness zone is Lakewood in?
Lakewood 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 Lakewood?
There are roughly 180 frost-free days in Lakewood (a moderate growing season), running from the average last frost around April 23 to the first fall frost near October 20.
When should I plant tomatoes in Lakewood?
In Lakewood, start tomato seeds indoors around February 26–March 12, then transplant seedlings outdoors around April 30 once the danger of frost has passed.
Never miss a window in Lakewood
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Lakewood’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- Toms River · 11 km
- Point Pleasant · 12 km
- Holiday City-Berkeley · 16 km
- West Freehold · 17 km
- Beachwood · 18 km
- Freehold · 19 km
- Tinton Falls · 22 km
- Asbury Park · 22 km
Frost dates recorded at TOMS RIVER, 16 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 Lakewood, NJ — Frost Dates & Zone 7a." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USC00288816. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/new-jersey/lakewood.