FrostCal

When to Plant Tomatoes in New Jersey

In a typical New Jersey location, start seeds indoors Feb 18 – Mar 4, 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 Start indoors, then transplant
Days to maturity 60–85 days

Start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost; transplant out 1-2 weeks after last frost once soil has warmed.

Tomatoes Planting Dates by City

CityStart indoorsTransplant
NewarkFeb 7 – Feb 21Apr 11 – Apr 18
Jersey CityFeb 7 – Feb 21Apr 11 – Apr 18
PatersonFeb 18 – Mar 4Apr 22 – Apr 29
ElizabethFeb 5 – Feb 19Apr 9 – Apr 16
EdisonFeb 18 – Mar 4Apr 22 – Apr 29
TrentonFeb 20 – Mar 6Apr 24 – May 1
Toms RiverFeb 26 – Mar 12Apr 30 – May 7
CliftonFeb 18 – Mar 4Apr 22 – Apr 29
CamdenFeb 2 – Feb 16Apr 6 – Apr 13
BrickFeb 26 – Mar 12Apr 30 – May 7
PassaicFeb 6 – Feb 20Apr 10 – Apr 17
Cherry HillFeb 18 – Mar 4Apr 22 – Apr 29
Union CityFeb 2 – Feb 16Apr 6 – Apr 13
BayonneFeb 5 – Feb 19Apr 9 – Apr 16
MiddletownFeb 20 – Mar 6Apr 24 – May 1
East OrangeFeb 7 – Feb 21Apr 11 – Apr 18
North BergenFeb 2 – Feb 16Apr 6 – Apr 13
IrvingtonFeb 7 – Feb 21Apr 11 – Apr 18
VinelandFeb 14 – Feb 28Apr 18 – Apr 25
South VinelandFeb 27 – Mar 13May 1 – May 8
WayneFeb 17 – Mar 3Apr 21 – Apr 28
New BrunswickFeb 18 – Mar 4Apr 22 – Apr 29
UnionFeb 14 – Feb 28Apr 18 – Apr 25
PiscatawayFeb 18 – Mar 4Apr 22 – Apr 29
JacksonMar 3 – Mar 17May 5 – May 12
LakewoodFeb 26 – Mar 12Apr 30 – May 7
HobokenFeb 2 – Feb 16Apr 6 – Apr 13
West New YorkFeb 2 – Feb 16Apr 6 – Apr 13
Perth AmboyFeb 18 – Mar 4Apr 22 – Apr 29
PlainfieldFeb 14 – Feb 28Apr 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 tomatoes in New Jersey?

In a typical New Jersey location, start seeds indoors Feb 18 – Mar 4, 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 tomatoes take to grow?

Tomatoes typically take 60–85 days from planting to harvest. Start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost; transplant out 1-2 weeks after last frost once soil has warmed.

Other Crops in New Jersey

When to plant tomatoes in other states

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