When to plant in Rutherford, NJ
USDA Zone 7bEverything below — frost dates, hardiness zone, and what to plant when in Rutherford, New Jersey — is derived from the closest NOAA station with complete climate normals.
In zone 7b, Rutherford supports a wide range of perennials year-round; the frost dates above are what set your annual vegetable timing.
Frost probability
TETERBORO AP · 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 Rutherford’s own odds, recorded at TETERBORO AP.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | May 2 | Apr 16 | Apr 3 | Oct 10 | Oct 24 | Nov 6 |
| 32°F | Apr 16 | Apr 3 | Mar 20 | Oct 21 | Nov 4 | Nov 20 |
| 28°F | Apr 4 | Mar 23 | Mar 7 | Nov 2 | Nov 16 | Dec 4 |
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 Rutherford, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 12 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.
Rutherford planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Rutherford, NJ?
Rutherford's average last spring frost falls near April 3 — 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 Rutherford, NJ?
In Rutherford, the first 32°F freeze of fall lands around November 4 on average. Time your last harvests and any season-extension cover before it.
What hardiness zone is Rutherford in?
Rutherford is in USDA hardiness zone 7b. In zone 7b, winters are moderate — most common vegetables grow well in season.
How long is the growing season in Rutherford?
Rutherford has about 215 frost-free days — a long growing season — between the average last spring frost (April 3) and first fall frost (November 4).
When should I plant tomatoes in Rutherford?
For Rutherford, sow tomatoes indoors about February 6–February 20 and move the seedlings out around April 10, after the last spring frost.
Never miss a window in Rutherford
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Rutherford’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- East Rutherford · 2 km
- Wallington · 4 km
- Wood-Ridge · 4 km
- North Arlington · 4 km
- Passaic · 5 km
- Secaucus · 5 km
- Hasbrouck Heights · 5 km
- Clifton · 7 km
Frost dates recorded at TETERBORO AP, 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 Rutherford, NJ — Frost Dates & Zone 7b." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USW00094741. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/new-jersey/rutherford.