Fall in zone 7aPhoto: Dietmar Rabich, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Frost dates for ZIP 08528 (Kingston, NJ)
Average last spring and first fall frost dates with 10%, 50% and 90% odds, from NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the nearest weather station, Hightstown 2 W, NJ (9 miles away).
- Average last spring frostApr 2550% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostOct 1650% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)173 daysmedian, 32°F threshold
- USDA hardiness zone7a0 to 5°F avg. coldest night
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Frost and freeze alerts from the NWS forecast for 08528, the spring soil-temperature heads-up for pre-emergent, and a short weekly yard-timing email.
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This week in your yard
As of Oct 18, 2026, from your frost dates, zone and soil temperature. Lawn timing · Vegetables · Pruning · Plants
Soil temperature now
2-inch depth
No soil station with a fresh reading within 62 miles.
4-inch depth
No soil station with a fresh reading within 62 miles.
Fall: Texas A&M AgriLife times fall pre-emergent (for winter weeds such as annual bluegrass) to soil cooling to about 70°F for several days. The 50–55°F band is the spring trigger. Always read and follow the product label.
7-day forecast and frost risk
The latest National Weather Service 7-day forecast and any Frost Advisory or Freeze Warning for 08528 load here. You can also open the NWS forecast for this ZIP.
Pre-emergent
No soil reading near this ZIP. Typical extension timing for your region: spring early March to early April; fall late August to mid-September.
Fertilizer window
Lawn region: Transition zone. Timing only; always follow the product label.
- Bermudagrass (warm-season): Spring: Several weeks after the lawn is fully green (April–May) (about Jun 10 here, using green-up about 3–4 weeks after your average last frost); Summer: Every 4–6 weeks through mid-August (heaviest feeder of the group); Late: Light, low-nitrogen/high-potassium feeding about 4 weeks before first frost, or skip. Avoid: Heavy late-fall nitrogen (linked to spring dead spot).
- Tall fescue (cool-season): Early fall: September (main feeding); Late fall: November, while still green; Late winter: Optional light feeding February–March. Avoid: Feeding after mid-spring and through summer in the transition zone (stress and brown patch).
Plant now
No vegetable planting windows are open this week.
Prune now
No frost-timed pruning windows are open this week.
Spring-flowering shrubs are pruned right after their flowers fade, not by date. See the pruning guide.
Last spring frost odds
| Chance of a 32°F freeze after this date | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early: most years still freeze after this) | Apr 12 |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | Apr 25 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | May 12 |
Most gardeners plant frost-tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, basil) after the 50% date, and closer to the 10% date for less risk.
First fall frost odds
| Chance the first 32°F freeze has happened by this date | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early: 1 year in 10 freezes this soon) | Oct 4 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Oct 16 |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Oct 29 |
Light frost, freeze and hard freeze
| Threshold | Last spring (50%) | First fall (50%) |
|---|---|---|
| 36°F (light frost possible on clear, calm nights) | May 8 | Oct 6 |
| 32°F (freeze) | Apr 25 | Oct 16 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | Apr 10 | Oct 28 |
n/a means NOAA did not publish a date at that threshold for this station (usually because it rarely gets that cold).
Vegetable planting calendar for 08528
Dates count from your average last spring frost (Apr 25) and first fall frost (Oct 16). Half of years have a frost after the spring date, so give tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, squash) some slack.
| Crop | Start indoors | Spring planting | Fall planting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Feb 28–Mar 14 | May 2–16 (transplant) | – |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Feb 14–28 | May 9–23 (transplant) | – |
| Eggplant | Feb 14–28 | May 9–23 (transplant) | – |
| Tomatillo | Feb 28–Mar 14 | May 2–16 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Feb 28–Mar 14 | Apr 4–25 (transplant) Mar 28–May 9 (sow outdoors) | Aug 21–Sep 11 (transplant) Aug 7–Sep 4 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Mar 14–Apr 4 (sow outdoors) | Aug 21–Sep 11 (sowing) |
| Kale | Feb 28–Mar 14 | Mar 28–Apr 11 (transplant) Mar 28–Apr 11 (sow outdoors) | Jul 24–Aug 21 (transplant) Jul 10–Aug 7 (sowing) |
| Collards | Feb 28–Mar 14 | Mar 28–Apr 25 (transplant) Mar 28–Apr 25 (sow outdoors) | Jul 24–Aug 21 (transplant) Jul 10–Aug 7 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Feb 14–28 | Mar 28–Apr 11 (transplant) | Jul 10–Aug 7 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Feb 14–28 | Mar 28–Apr 11 (transplant) | Jul 10–Aug 7 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Feb 14–28 | Apr 11–25 (transplant) | Jul 10–Aug 7 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Jan 31–Feb 14 | Mar 28–Apr 11 (transplant) | Jun 26–Jul 17 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Feb 28–Mar 14 | Mar 28–Apr 11 (transplant) Mar 28–Apr 11 (sow outdoors) | Aug 7–21 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | Mar 28–Apr 11 (sow outdoors) | Aug 21–Sep 4 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | Mar 28–Apr 25 (sow outdoors) | Aug 21–Sep 18 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | Mar 28–Apr 18 (sow outdoors) | Aug 21–Sep 4 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Mar 14–28 | Apr 11–May 2 (transplant) Apr 11–May 9 (sow outdoors) | Aug 7–21 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | Mar 28–Apr 25 (sow outdoors) | Aug 7–21 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | Apr 4–May 2 (sow outdoors) | Jul 24–Aug 7 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Mar 21–May 2 (sow outdoors) | Sep 4–18 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | Mar 28–Apr 18 (sow outdoors) | Aug 7–21 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | Apr 4–25 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Feb 28–Mar 28 (sow outdoors) | Jul 24–Aug 7 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Jan 31–Feb 14 | Mar 14–28 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Mar 14–Apr 11 (sow outdoors) | Aug 7–21 (sowing) |
| Leek | Jan 31–Feb 14 | Mar 28–Apr 11 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Sep 4–Oct 2 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Mar 14–28 (transplant) | Sep 4–Oct 2 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | Mar 28–Apr 11 (transplant) | Jun 26–Jul 10 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | May 16–30 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | May 2–16 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | May 2–16 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, pole | – | May 2–16 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | May 9–23 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | May 16–Jun 6 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | Mar 28–Apr 4 | May 2–16 (transplant) May 2–16 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Summer squash / zucchini | Mar 28–Apr 4 | May 2–16 (transplant) May 2–16 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Winter squash | Mar 28–Apr 4 | May 2–16 (transplant) May 2–16 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | May 2–16 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | Mar 28–Apr 4 | May 9–23 (transplant) May 9–23 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | Mar 28–Apr 4 | May 9–23 (transplant) May 9–23 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Mar 14–28 | May 9–23 (transplant) May 9–23 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Jan 31–Feb 14 | May 2–9 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Mar 14–28 | May 2–16 (transplant) May 2–16 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | Apr 11–May 9 (sow outdoors) | Aug 21–Sep 4 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Feb 14–28 | Apr 11–25 (transplant) Apr 4–25 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | Apr 25–May 9 (sow outdoors) | Aug 21–Sep 4 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | Apr 25–May 9 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | Mar 28–Apr 11 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | Mar 28–Apr 11 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | Mar 28–Apr 11 (transplant) | Aug 7–Sep 4 (transplant) |
Typical ranges from university extension planting calendars, adjusted to your frost dates. Probabilities, not guarantees. Fall windows that would overlap spring planting are left out, as are fall crops of frost-tender plants where the frost-free season is under 210 days.
Where these numbers come from
Station: Hightstown 2 W, NJ (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USC00283951), elevation 100 ft, 8.8 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: S (standard, 24+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wertsville 4 NE, NJ | 10 mi | Apr 16 | Oct 27 |
| New Brunswick 3 SE, NJ | 12 mi | Apr 15 | Oct 26 |
| Trenton State College, NJ | 12 mi | Apr 17 | Oct 28 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 10 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 08528
When is the last frost in 08528?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 08528 is April 25. For a more cautious planting date, use May 12, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 08528?
The average first fall freeze is October 16. In 1 year in 10 it comes by October 4.
What hardiness zone is 08528?
ZIP 08528 is in USDA zone 7a (0 to 5°F average coldest winter night), per the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map ZIP listing.
What is the soil temperature in 08528 right now?
This page shows the latest 2-inch and 4-inch soil temperature from the nearest public soil station (USDA SCAN, NOAA USCRN or TexMesonet), or a labeled estimate when no station is close, against the 50–55°F spring pre-emergent band.
Nearby ZIP codes
08553 Rocky Hill 08540 Princeton 08542 Princeton 08544 Princeton 08852 Monmouth Junction 08536 Princeton Meadows 08824 Kendall Park 08823 Pleasant Plains
Other ZIP codes in Somerset County
07059 07069 07920 07921 07924 07931 07934 07939 07977 08502 08553 08558 08805 08807 08812 08821 08823 08835 08836 08844 08853 08869 08873 08876 All Somerset County frost dates · New Jersey frost dates
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Weekly yard timing, plus frost and soil-temperature alerts for your ZIP code.
- Freeze alerts
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- Weekly yard to-dos
Free. One weekly email plus alerts when your ZIP has a frost or a soil-temperature change worth acting on. After you submit, Kit (our email provider) sends a confirmation email: check your email and click the link to confirm. You aren't subscribed until you do. We collect only your email address and ZIP, sent to Kit to deliver The Dial. Unsubscribe anytime.