USDA New Jersey Hardiness Zones: 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b

New Jersey is part of the Appalachian Mountain range. Although the state is mountainous, according to the New Jersey Department of Agriculture, New Jersey is a top producer of many fruits and vegetables, including cranberries and squash.
Thanks to the Appalachian Mountain range and its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean, the climate of New Jersey is a humid subtropical climate.
New Jersey experiences cold, snowy winters and warm, humid summers. The cold winters and warm summers classify New Jersey into four plant hardiness zones. The plant hardiness zones of New Jersey are 6a, 6b, 7a, and 7b.
New Jersey Planting Zone – A Quick Overview
- The entire county of Sussex is classified as zone 6a. If you live near Hackettstown or the surrounding area, you’re also in the 6a planting zone.
- The plant hardiness zone of Hunterdon County and Somerset County is considered planting zone 6b. Princeton is also in the 6b planting zone.
- If you live in the surrounding area of Trenton or Toms River, your planting zone is 7a. You can expect temperatures to reach as low as zero degrees Fahrenheit here.
- The Cape May area and the coastal regions, including Atlantic City, are classified as the 7b planting zone.
Using the New Jersey Growing Zones Map
Thanks to the climate of New Jersey, it is not hard to grow a successful garden. To increase your chances of producing a productive vegetable garden or vibrant flowers, you need to know the planting zone of your location. In 2012, the USDA developed the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map.
This map, used by commercial and non-commercial growers and farmers across the nation, defines each planting zone by labeling it with a specific color. The terms planting zones, gardening zones, and plant hardiness zones are interchangeable.
To determine your gardening zone, click on the state of New Jersey on the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map. When you click on the state, you’ll see an overview of New Jersey’s gardening zones. New Jersey is classified into four planting zones.
The colors of these zones are variations of green. If you have trouble telling the difference between the green shades, enter your address and zip code in the search bar at the top of the map. This will give you the most accurate information about your planting zone and make it easier to spot which color green represents your gardening zone.
Explore Our Complete US Hardiness Zone Map
Understanding your planting zone helps identify which plants flourish in your garden. If you want your garden to succeed, you need to consider the micro-climate of your garden space. You might find that your garden is regarded as the 7a planting zone.
But your micro-climate may be different if your garden is close to a water source, varies in soil types, or experiences higher average temperatures than the surrounding area. Knowing your specific micro-climate and your planting zone is crucial before purchasing plants for your garden space.
New Jersey: A Top 10 Agricultural Producer
New Jersey’s growing season averages between 170 and 180 days in length. Typically, gardeners will begin planting outdoors in late April or the beginning of May. Consider waiting until the end of April or the beginning of May to let the danger of frost pass.
According to the Mendham Garden Center in Mendham, New Jersey, peonies, asters, and chrysanthemums are lovely flowers that will thrive in your garden.
If your taste buds are craving fresh vegetables, think about planting turnips or cauliflower. Potatoes, peppers, spinach, and tomatoes are just a few more vegetables that grow well in New Jersey’s planting zones.
Native trees, such as Black Spruce, Red Oak, and American Holly, are great additions to your landscape.