When is the last frost in Paterson, NJ?

The average last spring frost (50% probability of 32°F) in Paterson is around April 15, based on NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 normals at the Little Falls, NJ station (3.4 mi away). Half of years it falls outside that date, so wait 1–2 weeks past it before setting out frost-tender plants.

When is the first fall frost in Paterson?

The average first fall frost in Paterson, NJ is around October 28, giving roughly a 195-day frost-free growing season.

What planting zone is Paterson, NJ?

Paterson is in USDA plant hardiness zone 7a (average annual extreme minimum temperature 0 to 5°F), from the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map.

What is the weather like in Paterson?

In Paterson, NJ the warmest month is July (avg high 85.2°F) and the coldest is January (avg low 22.9°F). It averages about 44.9″ of precipitation a year.

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Paterson, NJ Planting Calendar & Frost Dates

USDA hardiness zone 7a · ZIP 07501 · elevation 53′ · NOAA & USDA data

Paterson is in USDA hardiness zone 7a (winters can dip to 0 to 5°F), with a growing season of about 195 days between the average last spring frost (April 15) and first fall frost (October 28). The warmest month is July (avg high 85.2°F); the coldest is January (avg low 22.9°F). It averages 44.9″ of precipitation a year. Start cool-season crops several weeks before the last frost; wait until after it for tomatoes, peppers and other tender crops.

Hardiness zone

min temp 0 to 5°F

Last spring frost

April 15

avg (50% prob, 32°F)

First fall frost

October 28

avg (50% prob, 32°F)

Growing season

195 days

frost-free window

Warmest month

July

avg high 85.2°F

Month-by-month typical weather in Paterson

Average conditions from the NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals at Caldwell Essex Co Ap, NJ (6.4 mi away). Temperatures °F, precipitation & snow in inches.

Month	Avg high	Avg low	Mean	Precip (in)	Snow (in)
January	38.3	22.9	30.6	3	–
February	41.4	23.9	32.6	2.6	–
March	49.4	31.3	40.4	4.1	–
April	61.9	41	51.4	3.7	–
May	72.1	50.9	61.5	3.4	–
June	80.5	60.3	70.4	4.3	–
July	85.2	66	75.6	4.3	–
August	83.6	64.2	73.9	4.5	–
September	76	56.7	66.3	3.7	–
October	64.5	45	54.7	4	–
November	53.4	35.4	44.4	3.3	–
December	43	27.7	35.4	4	–

What to plant when in Paterson

Crop	Season	What to do & when
Tomatoes	warm	Start seeds indoors: March 4 · Transplant out: April 22
Peppers	warm	Start seeds indoors: February 18 · Transplant out: April 29
Cucumbers	warm	Direct sow: April 22
Zucchini / squash	warm	Direct sow: April 22
Bush beans	warm	Direct sow: April 22
Sweet corn	warm	Direct sow: April 22
Basil	warm	Transplant out: April 22
Peas	cool	Sow (spring): March 11 · Sow (fall): September 2
Spinach	cool	Sow (spring): March 4 · Sow (fall): September 2
Lettuce	cool	Sow (spring): March 18 · Sow (fall): September 2
Kale	cool	Transplant (spring): March 25 · Sow (fall): August 19
Broccoli	cool	Transplant (spring): April 1
Carrots	cool	Sow (spring): March 25 · Sow (fall): August 19
Onions	cool	Transplant (spring): March 18
Potatoes	cool	Plant seed potatoes: April 1
Radishes	cool	Sow (spring): March 18 · Sow (fall): September 16

Dates are computed from Paterson's average frost dates using standard cool-/warm-season timing. They're a starting point — a cold spring, a warm microclimate, or a fast-maturing variety can shift them by a week or two.

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Gear that helps you plant on time

Some links below are Amazon affiliate links (tag theboringthin-20). If you buy through them we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you — it keeps this almanac free. We only list generic, genuinely-useful categories.

Soil thermometer →Know when the ground is warm enough to sow — the honest signal, not the calendar.Seed-starting trays + dome →Start tomatoes & peppers indoors on the schedule below.Seedling heat mat →Warms the soil for faster, more even germination indoors.Floating row cover / frost cloth →Buys you 4–8°F to beat an early or late frost.Raised garden bed kit →Warms and drains faster in spring than in-ground soil.Garden gloves →Basic kit for transplant day.

Nearby cities in New Jersey

Clifton, NJ Passaic, NJ Hackensack, NJ East Orange, NJ Kearny, NJ West New York, NJ Newark, NJ Union City, NJ

Sources & method. Hardiness zone: 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (PRISM Climate Group, Oregon State University). Frost dates & growing season: NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals, nearest station with published freeze normals — Little Falls, NJ, 3.4 mi (confidence: high). Monthly weather normals: Caldwell Essex Co Ap, NJ, 6.4 mi (confidence: high). ZIP centroid from U.S. Census 2023 ZCTA data. Frost dates are the 50%-probability date — half of years frost occurs outside the stated date. Nothing here is invented; where the nearest station is far, we say so. Last updated 2026-07-22.