Toms River, NJ Planting Calendar
The last spring frost in Toms River usually comes around Apr 14 and the first fall frost around Nov 2, a growing season of about 202 days. Start tomatoes indoors Mar 3 – Mar 17 and plant them outside Apr 28 – May 12.
When to plant vegetables in Toms River
| Vegetable | Start seeds indoors | Plant outside | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | Apr 28 – May 12 | — |
| Peppers | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | May 5 – May 19 | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | May 5 – May 19 | — |
| Cucumbers | — | Apr 28 – May 12 | — |
| Zucchini & summer squash | — | Apr 28 – May 12 | — |
| Pumpkins & winter squash | — | May 5 – May 19 | — |
| Green beans | — | Apr 28 – May 12 | Aug 10 – Aug 24 |
| Sweet corn | — | Apr 28 – May 12 | — |
| Basil | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | Apr 28 – May 12 | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 17 – Mar 3 | Mar 17 – Apr 28 | Sep 7 – Sep 21 |
| Spinach | — | Mar 3 – Mar 24 | Sep 7 – Sep 21 |
| Peas | — | Mar 3 – Mar 24 | Aug 24 – Sep 7 |
| Carrots | — | Mar 17 – Apr 21 | Aug 10 – Aug 24 |
| Radishes | — | Mar 10 – Apr 28 | Sep 21 – Oct 5 |
| Broccoli | Feb 3 – Feb 17 | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | Aug 10 – Aug 24 |
| Kale | Feb 17 – Mar 3 | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | Aug 24 – Sep 7 |
| Onions | — | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | — |
| Potatoes | — | Mar 24 – Apr 21 | — |
| Garlic | — | — | Oct 19 – Nov 23 |
Dates count from the median frost dates (2016–2025) for Toms River. In a cold spring, wait a week; in a warm one you can go a week early.
Month-by-month planting in Toms River
- JanuaryPlan, order seeds and prepare beds.
- FebruaryStart indoors: Peppers, Eggplant, Lettuce, Broccoli, Kale
- MarchStart indoors: Tomatoes, Peppers, Eggplant, Basil, Lettuce, KalePlant outside: Lettuce, Spinach, Peas, Carrots, Radishes, Broccoli, Kale, Onions, Potatoes
- AprilPlant outside: Tomatoes, Cucumbers, Zucchini & summer squash, Green beans, Sweet corn, Basil, Lettuce, Carrots, Radishes, Potatoes
- MayPlant outside: Tomatoes, Peppers, Eggplant, Cucumbers, Zucchini & summer squash, Pumpkins & winter squash, Green beans, Sweet corn, Basil
- JunePlan, order seeds and prepare beds.
- JulyPlan, order seeds and prepare beds.
- AugustPlant outside: Green beans, Peas, Carrots, Broccoli, Kale
- SeptemberPlant outside: Lettuce, Spinach, Peas, Radishes, Kale
- OctoberPlant outside: Radishes, Garlic
- NovemberPlant outside: Garlic
- DecemberPlan, order seeds and prepare beds.
Tools for this season
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Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Toms River?
The median last spring frost is Apr 14 and the median first fall frost is Nov 2, based on 2016–2025 weather data.
When should I plant tomatoes in Toms River?
Start seeds indoors Mar 3 – Mar 17 and set plants outside Apr 28 – May 12, once nights stay above 50°F.
When should I plant a fall garden in Toms River?
Sow or transplant cool-season crops 6 to 12 weeks before the first fall frost (around Nov 2): broccoli and carrots first, lettuce, spinach and radishes last.