Planting calendar for Newark, New Jersey

Dates from 30 years of records at the Harrison weather station, 1.4 miles from Newark, worked out crop by crop with the same method as the Year Round Garden app.

Newark at a glance

Weather station: Harrison · 1.4 mi
USDA zone: 7b
Last spring frost: typically Apr 4; 1 year in 10 after Apr 16
First fall frost: typically Nov 6; 1 year in 10 before Oct 25
Frost-free season: about 216 days
Hottest month: July: highs 87°F, nights 69°F
Coldest month: January: highs 39°F, nights 25°F
Rain: 50 in. a year, most in June, July and December

What shapes the seasons here

The last spring frost in Newark typically comes around Apr 4, but 1 year in 10 it comes after Apr 16. The first fall frost typically arrives around Nov 6. That leaves about 216 frost-free days for tender crops like tomatoes, peppers and squash.

Newark gets about 50 inches of rain a year, most of it in June, July and December.

161 of the 174 crops in the app grow here; 13 need a different climate (listed near the bottom).

When to plant the most popular crops

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Tomato (slicing)

Tomato (cherry & grape)

Pepper (sweet / bell)

Pepper (hot / chili)

Eggplant

Cucumber (slicing)

Summer squash & zucchini

Watermelon

Bean (bush snap)

Sweet corn

Okra

Sweet potato

Potato

Pea (snap & snow)

Lettuce (leaf & mesclun)

Spinach

Kale

Collard greens

Broccoli

Cabbage

Carrot

Radish

Onion (bulbing)

Garlic

Basil

Cilantro

Strawberry

Best Can plant Start indoors

Get these dates as reminders for your exact yard

The free Year Round Garden app uses the weather station nearest your own address, not just the city. It reminds you when to start seeds, plant and harvest, sends frost and storm alerts from the National Weather Service, and keeps a garden journal. No account needed, in English and Spanish.

Download on the App Store Free for up to 5 plants on iPhone and Android.

What to plant in Newark, month by month

January0

Too cold to plant outdoors. Plan beds, order seeds and start the ones listed indoors.

Start seeds indoors

Artichoke, Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, Cabbage, Celeriac (celery root), Celery, Leek, Onion (bulbing), Lavender, Parsley, Purple coneflower (echinacea), Snapdragon, Stock

February5

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Kale, Shallot, Spinach

Flowers: Larkspur, Pansy / viola

Start seeds indoors

Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, Cauliflower, Celery, Lettuce (romaine & head), Pepper (sweet / bell), Tomato (early / short-season), Anise hyssop, Bee balm (bergamot), Catnip, Chives, Feverfew, Garlic chives, Lavender, Lemon balm, Lovage, Oregano, Sage, Thyme, Winter savory, Purple coneflower (echinacea), Statice, Strawflower

March65

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Artichoke, Arugula, Asparagus, Beet, Bok choy / pak choi, Broccoli, Broccoli raab (rapini), Brussels sprouts, Cabbage, Carrot, Cauliflower, Chinese broccoli (gai lan), Collard greens, Daikon radish, Endive & escarole, Fava bean, Fennel (bulb), Green onion / scallion, Kale, Kohlrabi, Leek, Lettuce (leaf & mesclun), Lettuce (romaine & head), Mache (corn salad), Mustard greens, Onion (bulbing), Parsnip, Pea (shelling / English), Pea (snap & snow), Potato, Radicchio, Radish, Rhubarb, Rutabaga, Salsify, Shallot, Spinach, Swiss chard, Turnip, Watercress

Herbs: Caraway, Catnip, Chamomile, Chervil, Dill, Lovage, Mint, Parsley, Sorrel (French / garden)

Fruit: Blackberry, Blueberry, Fig, Grape (bunch), Raspberry, Strawberry

Flowers: Bachelor's button (cornflower), Calendula, California poppy, Coreopsis (tickseed), Larkspur, Pansy / viola, Snapdragon, Stock, Sweet alyssum, Sweet pea (flower)

Can also plant

Garden cress, Napa / Chinese cabbage, Sunchoke (Jerusalem artichoke), Cilantro, Lemon balm

Start seeds indoors

Cardoon, Eggplant, Onion (bulbing), Pepper (hot / chili), Pepper (sweet / bell), Tomatillo, Tomato (cherry & grape), Tomato (heat-set varieties), Tomato (paste / determinate), Tomato (slicing), Anise hyssop, Bee balm (bergamot), Chives, Feverfew, Garlic chives, Lemon balm, Oregano, Rosemary, Sage, Shiso (perilla), Winter savory, Cucamelon / mouse melon, Ground cherry, Milkweed (native), Strawflower

April40

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Arugula, Celeriac (celery root), Celery, Chickpea / garbanzo, Garden cress, Lettuce (leaf & mesclun), Mustard greens, Potato, Radish, Sunchoke (Jerusalem artichoke), Tomato (early / short-season)

Herbs: Anise hyssop, Bee balm (bergamot), Borage, Catnip, Chives, Fenugreek (methi), Feverfew, Garlic chives, Lavender, Lemon balm, Lovage, Mint, Oregano, Sage, Sorrel (French / garden), Summer savory, Tarragon (French), Thyme, Winter savory

Fruit: Fig, Strawberry

Flowers: Bachelor's button (cornflower), Calendula, California poppy, Milkweed (native), Purple coneflower (echinacea), Statice, Strawflower, Sweet alyssum

Can also plant

Artichoke, Asparagus, Beet, Bok choy / pak choi, Broccoli, Broccoli raab (rapini), Cabbage, Carrot, Cauliflower, Chinese broccoli (gai lan), Collard greens, Daikon radish, Fennel (bulb), Green onion / scallion, Kale, Kohlrabi, Komatsuna (mustard spinach), Leek, Lettuce (romaine & head), Napa / Chinese cabbage, Onion (bulbing), Parsnip, Pea (shelling / English), Pea (snap & snow), Rhubarb, Salsify, Shallot, Spinach, Swiss chard, Turnip, Watercress, Caraway, Chamomile, Chervil, Cilantro, Dill, Lemon verbena, Marjoram, Parsley, Rosemary, Blackberry, Blueberry, Grape (bunch), Raspberry, Black-eyed Susan, Coreopsis (tickseed), Nasturtium, Pansy / viola, Stock

Start seeds indoors

Celeriac (celery root), Celery, Ginger, Malabar spinach, Onion (bulbing), Sweet potato, Basil, Marjoram, Annual salvia, Celosia, Globe amaranth (gomphrena), Marigold, Milkweed (native), Pentas (Egyptian star cluster)

May37

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Amaranth greens / callaloo, Armenian cucumber, Bean (bush snap), Bean (dry / shelling), Bean (lima), Bean (pole), Bitter melon, Cardoon, Cucumber (pickling), Cucumber (slicing), Edamame, Eggplant, New Zealand spinach, Pepper (hot / chili), Pepper (sweet / bell), Pumpkin, Purslane, Summer squash & zucchini, Tomatillo, Tomato (cherry & grape), Tomato (heat-set varieties), Tomato (paste / determinate), Tomato (slicing), Winter melon / wax gourd, Winter squash

Herbs: Basil, Epazote, Lemon verbena, Marjoram, Papalo, Rosemary, Vietnamese coriander (rau ram)

Fruit: Cantaloupe & melons, Cucamelon / mouse melon, Ground cherry, Watermelon

Flowers: Milkweed (native)

Can also plant

Beet, Carrot, Celeriac (celery root), Celery, Chickpea / garbanzo, Chinese broccoli (gai lan), Collard greens, Garden cress, Kale, Kohlrabi, Leek, Onion (bulbing), Parsnip, Popcorn, Potato, Radish, Salsify, Shallot, Sweet corn, Swiss chard, Tomato (early / short-season), Turnip, Anise hyssop, Bee balm (bergamot), Borage, Caraway, Chamomile, Chives, Cuban oregano, Dill, Feverfew, Garlic chives, Lavender, Oregano, Parsley, Sage, Shiso (perilla), Stevia, Summer savory, Tarragon (French), Thyme, Winter savory, Blueberry, Fig, Annual salvia, Black-eyed Susan, Calendula, Cleome (spider flower), Coreopsis (tickseed), Cosmos, Globe amaranth (gomphrena), Marigold, Nasturtium, Purple coneflower (echinacea), Statice, Strawflower, Sunflower, Sweet alyssum, Zinnia

Start seeds indoors

Eggplant, Ginger, Leek, Onion (bulbing), Pepper (hot / chili), Pepper (sweet / bell), Sweet potato, Tomato (heat-set varieties), Tomato (paste / determinate), Tomato (slicing), Annual salvia, Celosia, Globe amaranth (gomphrena), Marigold, Pentas (Egyptian star cluster)

June35

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Bottle gourd / cucuzza, Celeriac (celery root), Celery, Ginger, Luffa gourd, Malabar spinach, Moringa, Okinawa spinach, Okra, Onion (bulbing), Potato, Pumpkin, Salsify, Seminole pumpkin / calabaza, Southern pea / cowpea, Sweet potato, Winged bean, Winter melon / wax gourd, Winter squash, Yardlong bean

Herbs: Cuban oregano, Culantro, Lemongrass, Stevia, Vietnamese coriander (rau ram)

Flowers: Annual salvia, Black-eyed Susan, Cleome (spider flower), Coreopsis (tickseed), Cosmos, Globe amaranth (gomphrena), Marigold, Pentas (Egyptian star cluster), Sunflower, Zinnia

Can also plant

Amaranth greens / callaloo, Armenian cucumber, Bean (bush snap), Bean (dry / shelling), Bean (lima), Bean (pole), Beet, Bitter melon, Brussels sprouts, Cabbage, Cardoon, Carrot, Chickpea / garbanzo, Chinese broccoli (gai lan), Collard greens, Cucumber (pickling), Cucumber (slicing), Edamame, Eggplant, Kale, Komatsuna (mustard spinach), Leek, Napa / Chinese cabbage, New Zealand spinach, Parsnip, Pepper (hot / chili), Pepper (sweet / bell), Popcorn, Purslane, Shallot, Summer squash & zucchini, Sweet corn, Swiss chard, Tomatillo, Tomato (cherry & grape), Tomato (early / short-season), Tomato (heat-set varieties), Tomato (paste / determinate), Tomato (slicing), Basil, Borage, Caraway, Chamomile, Epazote, Papalo, Parsley, Shiso (perilla), Summer savory, Cantaloupe & melons, Cucamelon / mouse melon, Ground cherry, Watermelon, Calendula, Celosia, Nasturtium, Statice, Strawflower, Sweet alyssum

Start seeds indoors

Brussels sprouts, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Tomato (cherry & grape), Tomato (early / short-season), Tomato (heat-set varieties), Tomato (paste / determinate), Tomato (slicing), Basil, Parsley, Marigold, Pansy / viola, Statice, Strawflower

July45

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Armenian cucumber, Bean (dry / shelling), Bean (lima), Bean (pole), Bitter melon, Brussels sprouts, Celeriac (celery root), Celery, Cucumber (pickling), Cucumber (slicing), Edamame, Eggplant, Leek, Malabar spinach, Napa / Chinese cabbage, New Zealand spinach, Okra, Onion (bulbing), Pepper (hot / chili), Pepper (sweet / bell), Potato, Shallot, Southern pea / cowpea, Sweet corn, Tomato (cherry & grape), Tomato (heat-set varieties), Tomato (paste / determinate), Tomato (slicing), Yardlong bean

Herbs: Basil, Borage

Fruit: Cantaloupe & melons, Watermelon

Flowers: Annual salvia, Black-eyed Susan, Celosia, Cleome (spider flower), Coreopsis (tickseed), Cosmos, Globe amaranth (gomphrena), Marigold, Nasturtium, Pentas (Egyptian star cluster), Sunflower, Zinnia

Can also plant

Amaranth greens / callaloo, Arugula, Bean (bush snap), Beet, Bottle gourd / cucuzza, Broccoli, Broccoli raab (rapini), Cabbage, Carrot, Cauliflower, Chinese broccoli (gai lan), Collard greens, Ginger, Kale, Kohlrabi, Komatsuna (mustard spinach), Lettuce (leaf & mesclun), Lettuce (romaine & head), Moringa, Mustard greens, Okinawa spinach, Parsnip, Pea (shelling / English), Pea (snap & snow), Purslane, Summer squash & zucchini, Swiss chard, Tomatillo, Tomato (early / short-season), Turnip, Caraway, Chamomile, Cilantro, Culantro, Dill, Epazote, Fenugreek (methi), Lemongrass, Papalo, Parsley, Shiso (perilla), Summer savory, Cucamelon / mouse melon, Ground cherry, Bachelor's button (cornflower), Calendula, California poppy, Statice, Strawflower, Sweet alyssum

Start seeds indoors

Broccoli, Cabbage, Lettuce (romaine & head), Basil, Pansy / viola, Stock, Strawflower

August52

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Amaranth greens / callaloo, Armenian cucumber, Arugula, Bean (bush snap), Bean (pole), Beet, Bitter melon, Broccoli, Broccoli raab (rapini), Brussels sprouts, Cabbage, Carrot, Cauliflower, Chinese broccoli (gai lan), Collard greens, Cucumber (pickling), Cucumber (slicing), Daikon radish, Fennel (bulb), Kohlrabi, Komatsuna (mustard spinach), Lettuce (leaf & mesclun), Lettuce (romaine & head), Mustard greens, Napa / Chinese cabbage, New Zealand spinach, Pea (shelling / English), Pea (snap & snow), Purslane, Shallot, Summer squash & zucchini, Swiss chard, Tomato (cherry & grape), Tomato (early / short-season)

Herbs: Basil, Borage, Caraway, Chamomile, Cilantro, Dill, Epazote, Fenugreek (methi), Parsley

Flowers: Bachelor's button (cornflower), Calendula, California poppy, Coreopsis (tickseed), Nasturtium, Snapdragon, Statice, Strawflower, Sweet alyssum

Can also plant

Bok choy / pak choi, Garden cress, Kale, Mache (corn salad), Radish, Spinach, Turnip, Chervil, Summer savory, Annual salvia, Marigold, Pansy / viola, Pentas (Egyptian star cluster), Stock

September23

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Arugula, Beet, Broccoli raab (rapini), Collard greens, Daikon radish, Garden cress, Kale, Kohlrabi, Komatsuna (mustard spinach), Lettuce (leaf & mesclun), Mache (corn salad), Mustard greens, Radish, Spinach, Swiss chard, Turnip

Herbs: Chervil, Cilantro, Fenugreek (methi)

Flowers: Calendula, Pansy / viola, Stock, Sweet alyssum

October3

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Elephant garlic, Garlic, Radish

November2

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Elephant garlic, Garlic

December0

Too cold to plant outdoors. Plan beds, order seeds and start the ones listed indoors.

Start seeds indoors

Onion (bulbing), Pansy / viola

Every crop that grows in Newark

161 of 174 crops in the app fit this climate. Dates are for planting outdoors; “Start indoors” is for seeds you grow into transplants.

Vegetables

Crop	Best time to plant	Also possible	Start indoors	How
Amaranth greens / callaloo	May 11–25, Aug 19–Sep 4	May 26–Aug 18	—	Sow seeds
Armenian cucumber	Apr 26–May 10, Jul 18–Aug 7	May 11–Jul 17	—	Sow seeds
Artichoke	Mar 21–Apr 4	Apr 5–13	Jan 17–31	Set out plants
Arugula	Mar 13–Apr 14, Aug 18–Sep 29	Feb 21–Mar 12, Apr 15–May 5, Jul 14–Aug 17	—	Sow seeds
Asparagus	Mar 7–Apr 4	Apr 5–May 2	—	Set out plants
Bean (bush snap)	Apr 26–May 10, Aug 1–22	May 11–Jul 31	—	Sow seeds
Bean (dry / shelling)	Apr 26–May 10, Jun 27–Jul 18	May 11–Jun 26	—	Sow seeds
Bean (lima)	May 11–25, Jul 3–23	May 26–Jul 2	—	Sow seeds
Bean (pole)	Apr 26–May 10, Jul 22–Aug 12	May 11–Jul 21	—	Sow seeds
Beet	Mar 7–28, Aug 17–Sep 7	Mar 29–May 19, Jun 16–Aug 16	—	Sow seeds
Bitter melon	Apr 26–May 10, Jul 20–Aug 10	May 11–Jul 19	—	Sow seeds
Bok choy / pak choi	Mar 21–Apr 5	Apr 6–12, Jul 31–Aug 31	—	Sow seeds
Bottle gourd / cucuzza	May 27–Jun 10	Jun 11–Jul 26	—	Sow seeds
Broccoli	Mar 7–21, Aug 10–30	Mar 22–Apr 26, Jul 1–Aug 9	Jan 24–Feb 7, Jun 29–Jul 19	Set out plants
Broccoli raab (rapini)	Mar 10–Apr 6, Aug 22–Sep 17	Mar 7–9, Apr 7–20, Jul 16–Aug 21	—	Sow seeds
Brussels sprouts	Mar 7–21, Jul 22–Aug 12	Mar 22–31, May 30–Jul 21	Jan 24–Feb 7, Jun 10–Jul 1	Set out plants
Cabbage	Feb 28–Mar 14, Jul 28–Aug 18	Mar 15–Apr 29, Jun 12–Jul 27	Jan 17–31, Jun 16–Jul 7	Set out plants
Cardoon	May 2–16	May 17–Jun 24	Feb 28–Mar 14	Set out plants
Carrot	Mar 14–Apr 4, Aug 7–28	Apr 5–May 13, Jun 8–Aug 6	—	Sow seeds
Cauliflower	Mar 14–28, Jul 27–Aug 16	Mar 29–Apr 30, Jul 7–26	Jan 31–Feb 14, Jun 15–Jul 5	Set out plants
Celeriac (celery root)	Mar 28–Apr 11, Jun 23–Jul 14	Apr 12–Jun 22	Jan 10–24, Apr 7–28	Set out plants
Celery	Apr 12–26, Jun 19–Jul 10	Apr 27–Jun 18	Jan 25–Feb 8, Apr 3–24	Set out plants
Chickpea / garbanzo	Mar 28–Apr 11	Apr 12–Jul 7	—	Sow seeds
Chinese broccoli (gai lan)	Mar 14–Apr 4, Aug 15–Sep 4	Apr 5–Aug 14	—	Sow seeds
Collard greens	Mar 7–21, Aug 21–Sep 11	Mar 22–Aug 20	—	Sow seeds
Cucumber (pickling)	Apr 26–May 10, Jul 25–Aug 15	May 11–Jul 24	—	Sow seeds
Cucumber (slicing)	Apr 26–May 10, Jul 23–Aug 12	May 11–Jul 22	—	Sow seeds
Daikon radish	Mar 14–28, Aug 17–Sep 7	Mar 29–Apr 23, Jul 31–Aug 16	—	Sow seeds
Edamame	May 11–25, Jul 5–25	May 26–Jul 4	—	Sow seeds
Eggplant	May 11–25, Jul 8–28	May 26–Jul 7	Mar 9–23, May 6–26	Set out plants
Elephant garlic	Oct 16–Nov 20	—	—	Sow seeds
Endive & escarole	Mar 14–28	—	—	Sow seeds
Fava bean	Feb 23–Mar 9	—	—	Sow seeds
Fennel (bulb)	Mar 21–Apr 4, Jul 31–Aug 9	Apr 5–15	—	Sow seeds
Garden cress	Mar 29–Apr 29, Sep 3–Oct 3	Mar 21–28, Apr 30–May 20, Jul 31–Sep 2	—	Sow seeds
Garlic	Oct 16–Nov 20	—	—	Sow seeds
Ginger	Jun 11–Jul 3	May 27–Jun 10, Jul 4–11	Apr 23–May 15	Set out plants
Green onion / scallion	Mar 7–21	Mar 22–May 2	—	Sow seeds
Kale	Feb 21–Mar 14, Sep 3–23	Mar 15–May 20, Jun 15–Sep 2	—	Sow seeds
Kohlrabi	Mar 7–21, Aug 25–Sep 14	Mar 22–May 19, Jul 5–Aug 24	—	Sow seeds
Komatsuna (mustard spinach)	Jul 29–Sep 22	Apr 4–May 4, Jun 14–Jul 28	—	Sow seeds
Leek	Mar 7–21, Jul 12–Aug 2	Mar 22–Jul 11	Jan 3–17, May 10–31	Set out plants
Lettuce (leaf & mesclun)	Mar 11–Apr 7, Aug 14–Sep 19	Mar 7–10, Apr 8–28, Jul 6–Aug 13	—	Sow seeds
Lettuce (romaine & head)	Mar 14–Apr 1, Aug 9–Sep 2	Apr 2–11, Jul 7–Aug 8	Feb 7–25, Jul 5–29	Set out plants
Luffa gourd	May 27–Jun 10	Jun 11–26	—	Sow seeds
Mache (corn salad)	Mar 7–24, Sep 15–Oct 1	Mar 25–Apr 4, Aug 22–Sep 14	—	Sow seeds
Malabar spinach	May 27–Jun 10, Jul 15–22	Jun 11–Jul 14	Apr 8–22, May 27–Jun 3	Set out plants
Moringa	May 27–Jun 10	Jun 11–Jul 22	—	Sow seeds
Mustard greens	Mar 12–Apr 11, Aug 24–Sep 27	Feb 21–Mar 11, Apr 12–25, Jul 22–Aug 23	—	Sow seeds
Napa / Chinese cabbage	Jul 24–Aug 28	Mar 21–Apr 14, Jun 20–Jul 23	—	Sow seeds
New Zealand spinach	Apr 26–May 10, Jul 25–Aug 14	May 11–Jul 24	—	Sow seeds
Okinawa spinach	May 27–Jun 10	Jun 11–Jul 22	—	Set out plants
Okra	May 27–Jun 10, Jul 23–Aug 6	Jun 11–Jul 22	—	Sow seeds
Onion (bulbing)	Mar 7–Apr 2, Jun 5–Jul 24	Feb 21–Mar 6, Apr 3–Jun 4	Mar 20–May 8, Dec 20–Jan 15	Set out plants
Parsnip	Mar 14–Apr 4	Apr 5–Jul 28	—	Sow seeds
Pea (shelling / English)	Feb 23–Mar 9, Aug 15–Sep 4	Mar 10–Apr 30, Jul 7–Aug 14	—	Sow seeds
Pea (snap & snow)	Feb 23–Mar 9, Aug 15–Sep 4	Mar 10–Apr 29, Jul 5–Aug 14	—	Sow seeds
Pepper (hot / chili)	May 2–16, Jun 30–Jul 21	May 17–Jun 29	Feb 28–Mar 14, Apr 28–May 19	Set out plants
Pepper (sweet / bell)	Apr 26–May 10, Jul 10–31	May 11–Jul 9	Feb 22–Mar 8, May 8–29	Set out plants
Popcorn	Apr 26–May 3	May 4–Jul 5	—	Sow seeds
Potato	Mar 23–Apr 13, Jun 8–Jul 20	Mar 13–22, Apr 14–Jun 7	—	Sow seeds
Pumpkin	Apr 26–May 10, Jun 5–26	May 11–Jun 4	—	Sow seeds
Purslane	May 11–25, Jul 31–Aug 21	May 26–Jul 30	—	Sow seeds
Radicchio	Mar 7–14	Mar 15–Apr 7	—	Sow seeds
Radish	Mar 20–Apr 27, Sep 3–Oct 11	Feb 28–Mar 19, Apr 28–May 18, Jul 29–Sep 2	—	Sow seeds
Rhubarb	Mar 7–25	Mar 26–Apr 13	—	Set out plants
Rutabaga	Mar 7–20	—	—	Sow seeds
Salsify	Mar 14–Apr 4, Jun 3–24	Apr 5–Jun 2	—	Sow seeds
Seminole pumpkin / calabaza	May 27–Jun 23	—	—	Sow seeds
Shallot	Feb 21–Mar 7, Jul 17–Aug 7	Mar 8–Jul 16	—	Sow seeds
Southern pea / cowpea	May 27–Jun 10, Jul 5–26	Jun 11–Jul 4	—	Sow seeds
Spinach	Feb 22–Mar 31, Sep 13–Oct 6	Feb 21, Apr 1–16, Jul 31–Sep 12	—	Sow seeds
Summer squash & zucchini	Apr 26–May 10, Jul 28–Aug 17	May 11–Jul 27	—	Sow seeds
Sunchoke (Jerusalem artichoke)	Apr 4–25	Mar 14–Apr 3	—	Sow seeds
Sweet corn	Apr 26–May 3, Jul 10–30	May 4–Jul 9	—	Sow seeds
Sweet potato	Jun 11–26	May 27–Jun 10	Apr 23–May 8	Set out plants
Swiss chard	Mar 14–Apr 4, Aug 22–Sep 12	Apr 5–Aug 21	—	Sow seeds
Tomatillo	Apr 26–May 10	May 11–Jul 28	Mar 15–29	Set out plants
Tomato (cherry & grape)	Apr 26–May 10, Jul 25–Aug 14	May 11–Jul 24	Mar 8–22, Jun 6–26	Set out plants
Tomato (early / short-season)	Apr 12–19, Jul 30–Aug 19	Apr 20–Jul 29	Feb 22–Mar 1, Jun 11–Jul 1	Set out plants
Tomato (heat-set varieties)	May 11–25, Jul 12–Aug 2	May 26–Jul 11	Mar 23–Apr 6, May 24–Jun 14	Set out plants
Tomato (paste / determinate)	Apr 26–May 10, Jul 12–Aug 2	May 11–Jul 11	Mar 8–22, May 24–Jun 14	Set out plants
Tomato (slicing)	Apr 26–May 10, Jul 10–30	May 11–Jul 9	Mar 8–22, May 22–Jun 11	Set out plants
Turnip	Mar 7–21, Aug 27–Sep 17	Mar 22–May 19, Jul 5–Aug 26	—	Sow seeds
Watercress	Mar 14–28	Mar 29–May 9	—	Sow seeds
Winged bean	May 27–Jun 10	Jun 11–26	—	Sow seeds
Winter melon / wax gourd	May 11–25, Jun 5–26	May 26–Jun 4	—	Sow seeds
Winter squash	Apr 26–May 10, Jun 15–Jul 6	May 11–Jun 14	—	Sow seeds
Yardlong bean	May 27–Jun 10, Jul 10–26	Jun 11–Jul 9	—	Sow seeds

Herbs

Crop	Best time to plant	Also possible	Start indoors	How
Anise hyssop	Apr 4–May 1	May 2–30	Feb 18–Mar 17	Set out plants
Basil	May 11–18, Jul 23–Aug 12	May 19–Jul 22	Apr 6–13, Jun 18–Jul 8	Set out plants
Bee balm (bergamot)	Apr 4–May 1	May 2–30	Feb 14–Mar 13	Set out plants
Borage	Apr 2–28, Jul 10–Aug 29	Mar 28–Apr 1, Apr 29–Jul 9	—	Sow seeds
Caraway	Mar 14–28, Jul 28–Aug 18	Mar 29–May 8, May 22–Jul 27	—	Sow seeds
Catnip	Mar 21–Apr 11	Apr 12–May 2	Jan 31–Feb 21	Set out plants
Chamomile	Mar 7–21, Aug 12–Sep 2	Mar 22–May 16, Jun 8–Aug 11	—	Sow seeds
Chervil	Mar 16–Apr 4, Aug 30–Sep 17	Mar 14–15, Apr 5–11, Jul 31–Aug 29	—	Sow seeds
Chives	Apr 4–29	Apr 30–May 30	Feb 14–Mar 11	Set out plants
Cilantro	Aug 10–Sep 9	Mar 21–Apr 13, Jul 9–Aug 9	—	Sow seeds
Cuban oregano	Jun 8–Jul 6	May 11–Jun 7	—	Set out plants
Culantro	May 27–Jun 10, Jul 17–22	Jun 11–Jul 16	—	Sow seeds
Dill	Mar 21–28, Aug 13–Sep 3	Mar 29–May 25, Jun 25–Aug 12	—	Sow seeds
Epazote	Apr 26–May 10, Aug 6–27	May 11–Aug 5	—	Sow seeds
Fenugreek (methi)	Apr 4–18, Aug 8–Sep 15	Apr 19–May 9, Jul 6–Aug 7	—	Sow seeds
Feverfew	Mar 28–Apr 25	Apr 26–May 23	Feb 7–Mar 7	Set out plants
Garlic chives	Apr 4–29	Apr 30–May 30	Feb 14–Mar 11	Set out plants
Lavender	Apr 11–26	Apr 27–May 30	Jan 24–Feb 8	Set out plants
Lemon balm	Mar 28–Apr 18	Mar 21–27, Apr 19–May 2	Feb 21–Mar 14	Set out plants
Lemon verbena	May 7–31	Apr 12–May 6	—	Set out plants
Lemongrass	Jun 10–Jul 3	May 27–Jun 9, Jul 4–13	—	Set out plants
Lovage	Mar 21–Apr 11	Apr 12–May 2	Jan 31–Feb 21	Set out plants
Marjoram	May 18–31	Apr 12–May 17	Mar 30–Apr 12	Set out plants
Mint	Mar 24–Apr 14	Mar 21–23, Apr 15–May 2	—	Set out plants
Oregano	Apr 4–28	Apr 29–May 30	Feb 14–Mar 10	Set out plants
Papalo	May 11–25	May 26–Aug 2	—	Sow seeds
Parsley	Mar 14–28, Jul 28–Aug 18	Mar 29–Jul 27	Jan 10–24, May 26–Jun 16	Set out plants
Rosemary	May 17–30	Apr 11–May 16	Mar 1–14	Set out plants
Sage	Mar 28–Apr 25	Apr 26–May 23	Feb 7–Mar 7	Set out plants
Shiso (perilla)	Apr 26–May 3	May 4–Aug 9	Mar 22–29	Set out plants
Sorrel (French / garden)	Mar 14–Apr 11	Apr 12–May 9	—	Sow seeds
Stevia	Jun 5–29	May 11–Jun 4	—	Set out plants
Summer savory	Apr 12–26	Apr 27–Aug 12	—	Sow seeds
Tarragon (French)	Apr 4–May 2	May 3–30	—	Set out plants
Thyme	Apr 4–23	Apr 24–May 30	Feb 7–26	Set out plants
Vietnamese coriander (rau ram)	May 24–Jun 21	Apr 26–May 23	—	Set out plants
Winter savory	Apr 4–May 2	May 3–30	Feb 14–Mar 14	Set out plants

Fruit

Crop	Best time to plant	Also possible	Start indoors	How
Blackberry	Mar 3–21	Mar 22–May 5	—	Set out plants
Blueberry	Mar 3–14	Mar 15–May 19	—	Set out plants
Cantaloupe & melons	May 11–25, Jun 28–Jul 18	May 26–Jun 27	—	Sow seeds
Cucamelon / mouse melon	Apr 26–May 10	May 11–Aug 2	Mar 22–Apr 5	Set out plants
Fig	Mar 14–Apr 11	Apr 12–May 23	—	Set out plants
Grape (bunch)	Mar 7–Apr 4	Apr 5–18	—	Set out plants
Ground cherry	Apr 26–May 10	May 11–Aug 7	Mar 8–22	Set out plants
Raspberry	Mar 7–21	Mar 22–May 2	—	Set out plants
Strawberry	Mar 14–Apr 11	Mar 7–13, Apr 12–May 2	—	Set out plants
Watermelon	May 11–25, Jun 25–Jul 16	May 26–Jun 24	—	Sow seeds

Flowers

Crop	Best time to plant	Also possible	Start indoors	How
Annual salvia	Jun 10–Aug 5	Apr 26–Jun 9, Aug 6–27	Apr 1–May 27	Set out plants
Bachelor's button (cornflower)	Mar 7–Apr 10, Aug 9–30	Apr 11–23, Jun 27–Aug 8	—	Sow seeds
Black-eyed Susan	Jun 2–Jul 30	Apr 4–Jun 1	—	Sow seeds
Calendula	Mar 21–Apr 23, Aug 4–Sep 14	Apr 24–May 22, Jun 18–Aug 3	—	Sow seeds
California poppy	Mar 7–Apr 10, Aug 9–30	Apr 11–23, Jun 27–Aug 8	—	Sow seeds
Celosia	May 27–Jun 3, Jun 30–Jul 19	Jun 4–29	Apr 8–15, May 12–31	Set out plants
Cleome (spider flower)	May 31–Jul 16	Apr 26–May 30, Jul 17–28	—	Sow seeds
Coreopsis (tickseed)	Mar 7–Apr 2, Jun 13–Jul 7, Jul 14–Aug 8	Apr 3–Jun 12, Jul 8–13	—	Sow seeds
Cosmos	Jun 5–Jul 19	May 11–Jun 4, Jul 20–Aug 7	—	Sow seeds
Globe amaranth (gomphrena)	Jun 5–Jul 19	May 11–Jun 4, Jul 20–Aug 7	Apr 17–May 31	Set out plants
Larkspur	Feb 21–Mar 14	Mar 15–28	—	Sow seeds
Marigold	Jun 3–Aug 1	Apr 26–Jun 2, Aug 2–22	Apr 15–Jun 13	Set out plants
Milkweed (native)	Apr 20–May 15	Apr 4–19, May 16–30	Mar 16–Apr 10	Set out plants
Nasturtium	Jul 13–Aug 27	Apr 12–May 23, Jun 20–Jul 12	—	Sow seeds
Pansy / viola	Feb 21–Mar 14, Sep 9–29	Mar 15–Apr 28, Aug 13–Sep 8	Jun 24–Jul 14, Dec 6–27	Set out plants
Pentas (Egyptian star cluster)	Jun 21–Aug 3	May 27–Jun 20, Aug 4–22	Apr 19–Jun 1	Set out plants
Purple coneflower (echinacea)	Apr 4–May 2	May 3–30	Jan 17–Feb 14	Set out plants
Snapdragon	Mar 7–21, Jul 31–Aug 8	Mar 22–28, Jun 17–25	Jan 3–17, May 29–Jun 6	Set out plants
Statice	Apr 4–18, Jul 29–Aug 19	Apr 19–Jul 28	Jan 31–Feb 14, May 27–Jun 17	Set out plants
Stock	Mar 21–Apr 4, Aug 27–Sep 17	Apr 5–29, Jul 31–Aug 26	Jan 17–31, Jun 25–Jul 16	Set out plants
Strawflower	Apr 12–26, Aug 6–26	Apr 27–Aug 5	Feb 22–Mar 8, Jun 18–Jul 8	Set out plants
Sunflower	Jun 1–Jul 15	Apr 26–May 31, Jul 16–23	—	Sow seeds
Sweet alyssum	Mar 14–Apr 22, Aug 8–Sep 16	Apr 23–May 23, Jun 20–Aug 7	—	Sow seeds
Sweet pea (flower)	Feb 23–Mar 23	Mar 24–Apr 4	—	Sow seeds
Zinnia	Jun 6–Jul 21	May 11–Jun 5, Jul 22–Aug 9	—	Sow seeds

Crops that struggle in Newark

These need a climate Newark doesn't have. Pots, shade cloth or a greenhouse can stretch the rules.

Banana: Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 45°F; the coldest month here averages 25°F.
Bay laurel: Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 32°F; the coldest month here averages 25°F.
Cassava (yuca): Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 40°F; the coldest month here averages 25°F.
Chaya (tree spinach): Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 40°F; the coldest month here averages 25°F.
Jicama: The frost-free season (about 216 days) is shorter than the 180 days it needs.
Muscadine grape: Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 26°F; the coldest month here averages 25°F.
Papaya: Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 48°F; the coldest month here averages 25°F.
Passion fruit: Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 44°F; the coldest month here averages 25°F.
Peanut: The frost-free season (about 216 days) is shorter than the 130 days it needs.
Pigeon pea: The frost-free season (about 216 days) is shorter than the 150 days it needs.
Pineapple: Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 45°F; the coldest month here averages 25°F.
Roselle: The frost-free season (about 216 days) is shorter than the 165 days it needs.
Taro (dasheen): The frost-free season (about 216 days) is shorter than the 225 days it needs.

Nearby planting calendars

New York City, NY 9 mi · last frost around Mar 30
Bridgeport, CT 60 mi · last frost around Apr 5
Philadelphia, PA 75 mi · last frost around Mar 30
Wilmington, DE 100 mi · last frost around Apr 7
Providence, RI 162 mi · last frost around Apr 11
All New Jersey cities

How these dates are worked out

Each crop has temperature limits and timing from university extension guides: how cold a night it can take, how much heat it can stand, how long it takes to mature, and how far before or after the last frost it goes in. Those are checked day by day against the Harrison station's NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals (average highs, lows, rain and frost dates). Dates are estimates for a typical year; a sheltered yard, a slope or a cold pocket can shift them by a week or two.

Weather: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals. Crop timing: university extension guides (sources listed for each crop in the app). City locations: GeoNames (CC BY 4.0).