FrostCal

When to Plant Cosmos in New Jersey

In a typical New Jersey location, start seeds indoors Mar 18 – Mar 25, then sow outdoors Apr 22 – May 6, then transplant outdoors Apr 22 – Apr 29. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Apr 2 in Atlantic City and as late as May 7 in Manville.

Method Direct sow
Days to maturity 60–90 days

Easy from direct seed 1-3 weeks after last frost; can also start indoors 3-4 weeks early.

Cosmos Planting Dates by City

CityStart indoorsDirect sowTransplant
NewarkMar 7 – Mar 14Apr 11 – Apr 25Apr 11 – Apr 18
Jersey CityMar 7 – Mar 14Apr 11 – Apr 25Apr 11 – Apr 18
PatersonMar 18 – Mar 25Apr 22 – May 6Apr 22 – Apr 29
ElizabethMar 5 – Mar 12Apr 9 – Apr 23Apr 9 – Apr 16
EdisonMar 18 – Mar 25Apr 22 – May 6Apr 22 – Apr 29
TrentonMar 20 – Mar 27Apr 24 – May 8Apr 24 – May 1
Toms RiverMar 26 – Apr 2Apr 30 – May 14Apr 30 – May 7
CliftonMar 18 – Mar 25Apr 22 – May 6Apr 22 – Apr 29
CamdenMar 2 – Mar 9Apr 6 – Apr 20Apr 6 – Apr 13
BrickMar 26 – Apr 2Apr 30 – May 14Apr 30 – May 7
PassaicMar 6 – Mar 13Apr 10 – Apr 24Apr 10 – Apr 17
Cherry HillMar 18 – Mar 25Apr 22 – May 6Apr 22 – Apr 29
Union CityMar 2 – Mar 9Apr 6 – Apr 20Apr 6 – Apr 13
BayonneMar 5 – Mar 12Apr 9 – Apr 23Apr 9 – Apr 16
MiddletownMar 20 – Mar 27Apr 24 – May 8Apr 24 – May 1
East OrangeMar 7 – Mar 14Apr 11 – Apr 25Apr 11 – Apr 18
North BergenMar 2 – Mar 9Apr 6 – Apr 20Apr 6 – Apr 13
IrvingtonMar 7 – Mar 14Apr 11 – Apr 25Apr 11 – Apr 18
VinelandMar 14 – Mar 21Apr 18 – May 2Apr 18 – Apr 25
South VinelandMar 27 – Apr 3May 1 – May 15May 1 – May 8
WayneMar 17 – Mar 24Apr 21 – May 5Apr 21 – Apr 28
New BrunswickMar 18 – Mar 25Apr 22 – May 6Apr 22 – Apr 29
UnionMar 14 – Mar 21Apr 18 – May 2Apr 18 – Apr 25
PiscatawayMar 18 – Mar 25Apr 22 – May 6Apr 22 – Apr 29
JacksonMar 31 – Apr 7May 5 – May 19May 5 – May 12
LakewoodMar 26 – Apr 2Apr 30 – May 14Apr 30 – May 7
HobokenMar 2 – Mar 9Apr 6 – Apr 20Apr 6 – Apr 13
West New YorkMar 2 – Mar 9Apr 6 – Apr 20Apr 6 – Apr 13
Perth AmboyMar 18 – Mar 25Apr 22 – May 6Apr 22 – Apr 29
PlainfieldMar 14 – Mar 21Apr 18 – May 2Apr 18 – Apr 25

Showing the 30 most populous of 223 New Jersey cities. Dates are estimates from each city's NOAA frost normals and university extension timing guidelines. See all New Jersey cities.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant cosmos in New Jersey?

In a typical New Jersey location, start seeds indoors Mar 18 – Mar 25, then sow outdoors Apr 22 – May 6, then transplant outdoors Apr 22 – Apr 29. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Apr 2 in Atlantic City and as late as May 7 in Manville.

When is the last frost in New Jersey?

The average last spring frost in New Jersey ranges from March 26 in Atlantic City to April 30 in Manville, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals.

How long do cosmos take to grow?

Cosmos typically take 60–90 days from planting to harvest. Easy from direct seed 1-3 weeks after last frost; can also start indoors 3-4 weeks early.

Other Crops in New Jersey

When to plant cosmos in other states

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