When to plant in Madison, NJ
USDA Zone 7aHere are the average frost dates, USDA hardiness zone, and a month-by-month planting calendar for Madison, New Jersey — all computed from Madison's nearest NOAA weather station.
Zone 7a means many perennials and even some tender shrubs overwinter in Madison, while your frost dates still decide when annuals go out.
The average first fall frost in Madison is now 13 days later than in the 1981–2010 normals. See how frost dates are shifting nationwide →
Frost probability
CANOE BROOK · 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 Madison’s own odds, recorded at CANOE BROOK.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | May 17 | Apr 30 | Apr 17 | Oct 2 | Oct 15 | Oct 31 |
| 32°F | May 6 | Apr 18 | Apr 3 | Oct 11 | Oct 27 | Nov 10 |
| 28°F | Apr 19 | Apr 3 | Mar 19 | Oct 22 | Nov 6 | 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 Madison, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 14 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.
Madison planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Madison, NJ?
Madison's average last spring frost falls near April 18 — 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 Madison, NJ?
Expect Madison's first fall frost near October 27 — a 50% chance of 32°F by that date. Bring in or cover tender crops ahead of it.
What hardiness zone is Madison in?
Madison 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 Madison?
There are roughly 192 frost-free days in Madison (a moderate growing season), running from the average last frost around April 18 to the first fall frost near October 27.
When should I plant tomatoes in Madison?
In Madison, start tomato seeds indoors around February 21–March 7, then transplant seedlings outdoors around April 25 once the danger of frost has passed.
Never miss a window in Madison
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Madison’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- Florham Park · 3 km
- Summit · 7 km
- Morristown · 7 km
- New Providence · 7 km
- Short Hills · 8 km
- Parsippany · 12 km
- Westfield · 13 km
- Lake Hiawatha · 14 km
Frost dates recorded at CANOE BROOK, 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 Madison, NJ — Frost Dates & Zone 7a." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USC00281335. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/new-jersey/madison.