When to plant in New Jersey
New Jersey spans USDA hardiness zones 6a-7b. Average last spring frost: mid April. Average first fall frost: late October. This calendar is anchored to Rutgers NJAES Cooperative Extension's recommendations, with timing adjusted for the dominant climate zone of the state.
New Jersey at a glance
| USDA hardiness zones | 6a-7b |
| Region | Mid-Atlantic |
| Average last spring frost | mid April |
| Average first fall frost | late October |
| Primary Extension service | Rutgers NJAES Cooperative Extension |
What grows particularly well in New Jersey
These are the crops, ornamentals, and trees Rutgers NJAES Cooperative Extension highlights as well-suited to New Jersey's climate:
- tomato (state vegetable)
- blueberry
- cranberry
- peony
- rhododendron
- daylily
New Jersey planting calendar
Dates are approximate and based on the dominant USDA zone for the state. For zone-specific timing, use the zone finder by ZIP code and frost date lookup tools.
Spring planting (after last frost: mid April)
Cool-season vegetables (start 2-6 weeks before last frost outdoors): lettuce, spinach, peas, radishes, carrots, beets, kale, broccoli transplants, cabbage transplants.
Warm-season vegetables (after last frost, soil 60F+): tomato transplants, pepper transplants, beans (direct sow), cucumbers, squash, melons. See the seed starting timeline tool for indoor start dates.
Annual flowers (after last frost): zinnia, marigold, cosmos, sunflower, nasturtium.
Perennials, shrubs, trees: Plant in spring after soil thaws but before summer heat. Best window in New Jersey: 4-6 weeks after last frost.
Summer (June - August)
Maintenance season for most New Jersey gardens. Mulch heavily, water deeply (1 inch per week), pinch back mums for fall bloom, hand-pull weeds, harvest summer vegetables. Plant fall vegetable starts indoors by mid-July.
Fall planting (before first frost: late October)
Cool-season vegetables (6-8 weeks before first frost): lettuce, spinach, radish, kale, broccoli, cabbage transplants. Per Penn State Extension, fall vegetable production can equal or exceed spring production with proper timing.
Spring-flowering bulbs: tulip, daffodil, allium, crocus, hyacinth. Plant 4-6 weeks before ground freezes. In New Jersey: typically October-November.
Perennials, shrubs, trees: Fall is the best planting season for woody plants in most of New Jersey - cooler temperatures + autumn rains reduce transplant stress. Plant 6+ weeks before first hard freeze.
Garlic: Plant cloves in October-November. Harvest the following July.
Winter (December - February)
Most of New Jersey is in dormancy. Tasks: order seeds, plan next year, dormant prune fruit trees (February), order bare-root plants for spring delivery. Avoid foot traffic on frozen lawns.
Common New Jersey challenges
Very high deer pressure (Rutgers is the source for deer-resistant plant ratings); sandy coastal soil; clay inland; spotted lanternfly; humid summers. For region-specific guidance, see our Mid-Atlantic regional gardening guide.
Where to get New Jersey-specific advice
The most reliable source for local growing advice is your county Extension office. Rutgers NJAES Cooperative Extension has county offices that provide free soil testing, plant disease diagnosis, and growing recommendations specific to your microclimate.
Visit Rutgers NJAES Cooperative Extension for the office nearest you.
Related tools and guides
- Find your USDA zone by ZIP code
- Look up your average frost dates
- Seasonal care calendar by zone
- Seed starting timeline calculator
- Mid-Atlantic regional gardening guide