By Jagdish Reddy | 10+ Years Gardening Experience
Reviewed Against: Rutgers NJAES Cooperative Extension • USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map
Updated: June 2026

Whether you are gardening in Sussex County, Central Jersey, or near Cape May, the timing of what you plant depends almost entirely on where you live in New Jersey (NJ).

New Jersey spans three USDA hardiness zones and three distinct growing regions. North Jersey gardeners work around a last frost near May 1. South Jersey gardeners near the Delaware Bay and Cape May can often transplant tomatoes by mid-April. That difference can shift planting dates by several weeks.

This New Jersey planting calendar shows what to plant each month, when to start seeds, and how planting dates vary across different parts of the state.. It includes tomatoes, peppers, fruit trees, berries, herbs, flowers, seed starting dates, raised bed adjustments, variety picks for NJ conditions, and a rundown of the pests and diseases most likely to affect your garden.

Looking for planting dates beyond New Jersey? See our complete USA Planting Calendar for state-by-state growing guides across the country.

Quick Answer: Best Time to Plant in New Jersey(NJ)

Cool-season vegetables such as lettuce, peas, spinach, and broccoli are typically planted from March through April. Warm-season crops including tomatoes, peppers, beans, and cucumbers are planted after the last frost from late April through May. Fall vegetables are planted from August through September for harvest before the first frost.

What Can I Plant Right Now in New Jersey?

Find your current month in the table below. Adjust 1 to 2 weeks earlier for South Jersey and 1 to 2 weeks later for North Jersey.

Month	Cool Crops (Direct Sow)	Warm Crops / Indoor Start
January	None outdoors	Start onions, leeks indoors
February	None outdoors	Start peppers, eggplant indoors
March	Peas, spinach, lettuce, radish	Start tomatoes indoors
April	Carrots, beets, chard, arugula	Transplant broccoli, cabbage outdoors
May	Beans, corn, cucumbers	Tomatoes, peppers after last frost
June	Beans (succession), herbs	Summer flowers, basil
July	Start broccoli indoors for fall	None outdoors (too hot)
August	Spinach, kale, radish, arugula	Broccoli, cabbage transplants
September	Lettuce, spinach, mache	Garlic cloves
October	Garlic cloves	Spring bulbs in ground
November	Spring bulbs, garlic (South NJ)	None
December	Plan and order seeds	None

Planning multiple vegetables, herbs, flowers, or fruit crops this season? Use the interactive garden planner below to organize your planting schedule and growing space.

New Jersey Growing Zones and Frost Dates

USDA Hardiness Zones in New Jersey

New Jersey covers Zone 6a through Zone 7b. Your zone affects which perennials survive winter and how early you can safely transplant warm-season crops.

Region	USDA Zone	Counties
Northern NJ	Zone 6a / 6b	Bergen, Morris, Sussex, Warren, Passaic
Central NJ	Zone 6b / 7a	Middlesex, Somerset, Monmouth, Mercer
Southern NJ	Zone 7a / 7b	Burlington, Camden, Atlantic, Cape May
Jersey Shore	Zone 7b	Coastal strip, moderated by Atlantic Ocean

Last Spring Frost Dates by Region

Region	Avg Last Frost	Safe Transplant Date
Northern NJ	Apr 15 to May 1	After May 1
Central NJ	Apr 1 to Apr 15	After Apr 15
Southern NJ	Mar 15 to Apr 1	After Apr 1
Jersey Shore	Mar 20 to Apr 5	After Apr 5

First Fall Frost Dates by Region

Region	Avg First Frost	Last Planting Window
Northern NJ	Oct 1 to Oct 15	Plant by late August
Central NJ	Oct 15 to Nov 1	Plant by mid-September
Southern NJ	Nov 1 to Nov 15	Plant through late September
Jersey Shore	Nov 5 to Nov 20	Longest fall growing window

Rutgers Cooperative Extension (njaes.rutgers.edu) publishes frost data specific to New Jersey counties. The USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (planthardiness.ars.usda.gov) lets you check your exact zone by ZIP code.

North Jersey vs South Jersey Planting Dates

The 2 to 3 week gap between North and South Jersey is the most practical thing to understand in this NJ planting calendar. Here is a direct comparison.

Crop	North NJ (Zone 6)	South NJ (Zone 7)
Tomatoes (transplant)	After May 10	After Apr 20
Peppers (transplant)	After May 10	After Apr 20
Beans (direct sow)	Early May	Mid-April
Cucumbers (direct sow)	Mid-May	Late April
Broccoli (fall transplant)	Aug 1 to Aug 10	Aug 10 to Aug 25
Garlic (plant cloves)	Late Sep to Oct 15	Oct to Nov 1
Peas (direct sow)	Late Mar to Apr 1	Mar 1 to Mar 15

What to Plant Each Month in New Jersey

January and February

No outdoor planting yet. These months are for indoor seed starting and planning.

• January: Start onions, leeks, and celery indoors (10 to 12 weeks before transplant)
• February: Start peppers and eggplant indoors (10 to 12 weeks before last frost). Order remaining seeds.
• Late February: Start petunias, impatiens, and other slow-growing annuals indoors.

March

Soil thaws in South Jersey first. In North Jersey, wait for the ground to be workable.

• Direct sow: peas, spinach, radishes, lettuce outdoors (soil 40F+)
• Start indoors: tomatoes (6 to 8 weeks before last frost)
• Plant: bare-root fruit trees and dormant berry bushes
• South NJ: transplant broccoli and cabbage starts outdoors

April

The busiest month for most NJ gardeners. South Jersey is nearly frost-free. North Jersey still risks late frosts.

• Direct sow: carrots, beets, Swiss chard, arugula, more lettuce
• Transplant outdoors: broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, kale (frost-tolerant)
• Start indoors: cucumbers, squash, melons (3 to 4 weeks before last frost)
• Plant: blueberries, strawberries, bare-root roses, asparagus crowns
• Annuals outdoors (South NJ only after Apr 1): pansies, snapdragons

May

For many New Jersey gardeners, May is the month when tomatoes, peppers, beans, and summer flowers finally move outdoors. Transplant after your last frost date has passed and soil hits 60F.

• After last frost: tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, basil
• Direct sow: beans, squash, cucumbers, corn, sunflowers
• Plant: marigolds, zinnias, impatiens, and annual flowers after frost

June

Keep filling gaps with fast-maturing crops. Succession sowing keeps production going all season.

• Direct sow: beans every 2 weeks, more cucumbers, summer squash
• Plant: herb transplants and annual flowers to fill empty spots
• Fall prep: count backward from first frost for brassica transplant timing

July

Heat-tolerant crops only now. Soil dries fast so water deeply 2 to 3 times per week.

• Direct sow: heat-tolerant lettuce in shaded spots
• Start indoors: broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage for fall transplanting
• South NJ only: second planting of bush beans by July 15

August

August is often the best time to start fall crops because soil remains warm while cooler temperatures are just around the corner. The window is 3 to 4 weeks wide so do not delay.

• Direct sow: spinach, arugula, radishes, turnips, kale
• Transplant: broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower starts (started in July)
• Late August: plant garlic in South NJ
• South NJ: sow fall peas by mid-August

September

One of the best months for leafy greens. Cool nights improve flavor in lettuce, spinach, and arugula.

• Direct sow: spinach, lettuce, arugula, mache, claytonia
• Plant: garlic cloves statewide by late September to early October
• Set up cold frames or row covers to extend harvest into December

October and November

• Plant: spring bulbs (tulips, daffodils, crocuses) before ground freezes
• Garlic: final window through November in South NJ
• Cover: mulch strawberry beds and perennial herbs for winter
• Clean up: pull spent crops to reduce disease overwintering

December

Outdoor growing is done except in cold frames. Review what worked, test soil over winter, and order bare-root trees and berry bushes early for spring delivery.

New Jersey Planting Calendar Chart

These charts cover planting windows for the full NJ growing season. Dates are approximate for Central NJ (Zone 6b/7a). Adjust earlier for South NJ and later for North NJ.

Vegetable Planting Calendar Chart

Vegetable	Start Indoors	Transplant or Direct Sow
Tomatoes	Late Feb to mid-Mar	After last frost (May)
Peppers	Late Feb to mid-Mar	After last frost (May)
Eggplant	Late Feb	After last frost (May)
Cucumbers	Late Apr	Direct sow May or transplant
Zucchini / Squash	Mid-Apr	Direct sow May
Beans	Not needed	Direct sow May to July
Peas	Not needed	Direct sow Mar to Apr
Lettuce	Late Feb	Mar to Apr, Aug to Sep
Spinach	Not needed	Direct sow Mar, Aug to Sep
Broccoli	Early Mar or July	Apr or Aug to Sep
Carrots	Not needed	Direct sow Mar to May, Aug
Garlic	Not needed	Plant cloves Sep to Oct

Fruit Planting Calendar Chart

Fruit	Best Planting Time	Notes
Apple Trees	Mar to Apr (bare-root)	Needs two varieties for pollination
Peach Trees	Late Mar to Apr	Plant Reliance or Contender for NJ
Blueberries	Mar to Apr or Sep to Oct	Needs pH 4.5 to 5.5
Strawberries	Early April	Earliglow, Jewel for NJ
Raspberries	Early spring (dormant)	Heritage for fall-bearing NJ crop
Blackberries	Early spring	Triple Crown (thornless) does well
Figs	After last frost	Containers in North NJ, ground in South NJ
Grapes	Early spring (dormant)	Concord reliable in Zone 6
Elderberries	Spring	Two cultivars for pollination
Pawpaw	Spring	Shade-tolerant, native to NJ

Herb Planting Calendar Chart

Herb	Start Indoors	Move Outdoors
Basil	Mid-Apr	After last frost, soil 65F+
Cilantro	Not needed	Direct sow Mar to Apr, Aug to Sep
Parsley	Late Feb	Apr to May
Dill	Not needed	Direct sow Apr to May
Thyme	Late Feb	Apr (perennial in NJ)
Rosemary	Late Feb	May (Zone 6: grow as annual)
Mint	Late Feb	Apr to May (container only)
Chives	Not needed	Apr (perennial, self-seeds)
Oregano	Late Feb	Apr (perennial in NJ)

Flower Planting Calendar Chart

Flower	Start Indoors	Outdoors / Notes
Marigolds	Early Apr	After last frost, full sun
Zinnias	Late Apr	Direct sow after frost
Petunias	Late Feb	After last frost
Sunflowers	Not needed	Direct sow May
Tulips	Not needed	Plant bulbs Oct to Nov
Coneflower	Late Feb	Apr (perennial NJ native)
Black-eyed Susan	Late Feb	Apr (perennial NJ native)
Impatiens	Mid-Feb	After last frost (shade)
Snapdragons	Late Jan	Apr (cool-season annual)

When to Plant Tomatoes in New Jersey

Plant tomatoes outdoors after the danger of frost has passed and soil temperature reaches at least 60F at 4 inches deep. In North Jersey this is typically after May 10. In South Jersey, planting often begins after April 20.

Start tomato seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before your last frost date. That means late February to mid-March for most NJ gardeners.

Best Tomato Varieties for New Jersey

New Jersey summers bring heat, humidity, and late blight pressure. Choose varieties built for these conditions.

Variety	Type	NJ Advantage
Rutgers	Slicing	Bred for NJ conditions by Rutgers University
Celebrity	Slicing	Disease-resistant, consistent producer
Jet Star	Slicing	Low acid, handles humidity well
Sungold	Cherry	Heat-tolerant, very productive
San Marzano	Paste	Excellent for sauce, thrives in NJ heat
Early Girl	Slicing	Short season, good for North NJ
Defiant	Slicing	Late blight resistant, ideal for humid NJ summers
Mountain Magic	Cherry	Strong late blight resistance

When to Plant Peppers in New Jersey(NJ)

Peppers are more cold-sensitive than tomatoes. Wait until nights consistently stay above 55F before transplanting. Even frost-free nights in the 40s will stall pepper growth for a week or more.

Start pepper seeds indoors 10 to 12 weeks before your last frost. Late February for most of New Jersey. Peppers germinate best at soil temperatures between 75F and 85F.

Best Pepper Varieties for New Jersey

Variety	Type	Notes
California Wonder	Sweet bell	Classic NJ garden pepper
Cubanelle	Sweet frying	Popular in NJ Italian-American gardens
Banana Pepper	Sweet / mild	Productive in NJ summers
Jalapeno Early	Hot	Matures faster in short-season areas
Hungarian Wax	Hot	Handles NJ humidity well
Shishito	Mild	Becoming popular across Central NJ

When to Plant Vegetables in New Jersey

Soil Temperature Guide for Common Crops

A soil thermometer costs about $10 and removes guesswork. Check at 4 inches deep in the morning before transplanting warm-season crops.

Crop	Min Soil Temp	Ideal Soil Temp
Peas	40F	45F to 65F
Lettuce	40F	45F to 65F
Spinach	40F	50F to 65F
Carrots	45F	55F to 75F
Beans	60F	65F to 85F
Cucumbers	60F	65F to 85F
Tomatoes	60F	65F to 75F
Peppers	65F	70F to 85F
Basil	65F	70F to 85F

Cool-Season Vegetables for Early Planting

Cool-season crops tolerate frost and grow best with soil between 45F and 65F. Plant in early spring and again in late summer for a fall harvest. Peas germinate in cold soil and taste better after a light frost. Lettuce and spinach go in the ground in late March across most of New Jersey.

Warm-Season Vegetables After Last Frost

When to plant cucumbers in New Jersey: direct sow after May 10 in North NJ, after April 25 in South NJ. Soil should be 60F or warmer.

When to plant beans in New Jersey: direct sow from late April (South NJ) to mid-May (North NJ). Bush beans mature faster than pole beans, making them a better fit for short-season areas.

Fall Vegetables for a Second Harvest

Count backward from your first frost date. Broccoli needs 50 to 70 days. Kale needs 50 to 60 days. When to plant broccoli in New Jersey for fall: transplant August 1 to August 20 statewide.

Most NJ gardeners skip fall planting and miss 60 to 90 days of productive growing. The August window is short but the payoff runs through November.

Best Vegetables for New Jersey Beginners

Vegetable	Why It Works	When to Plant
Bush Beans	Fast, no staking needed	May (direct sow)
Zucchini	Prolific and hard to fail	May (direct sow)
Lettuce	Fast harvest, cool-season	March to April
Radishes	25 days from seed to harvest	March to May
Cherry Tomatoes	Forgiving and very productive	After last frost
Kale	Survives frost, minimal care	March or August

When to Plant Fruit Trees and Berry Bushes in New Jersey

Apple, Pear, and Peach Trees

Plant bare-root apple and pear trees in late March while still dormant. Most apple varieties need two different cultivars for cross-pollination. Liberty and Freedom are disease-resistant choices that handle NJ humidity well.

Peach trees thrive in Zones 6 and 7. Plant bare-root trees in late March to early April. Reliance and Contender are the two NJ-hardy varieties most commonly recommended because they tolerate late frosts better than most.

When to Plant Blueberries in New Jersey

Plant blueberry bushes in early spring (March to April) or fall (September to October). Blueberries need acidic soil with pH 4.5 to 5.5. New Jersey’s Pine Barrens has naturally acidic sandy soil that suits them perfectly. For home gardens, Bluecrop, Duke, and Toro give mid-season harvests. Patriot and Northblue handle Zone 6 winters reliably.

Raspberries, Blackberries, and Other Berries

Plant raspberry canes in early spring while dormant. Heritage (fall-bearing) and Caroline are reliable across New Jersey. Blackberries do especially well in South Jersey. Triple Crown is a popular thornless variety that handles NJ summers.

Elderberries grow naturally throughout New Jersey and need almost no maintenance. Plant two different cultivars in spring for cross-pollination. Adams and Bob Gordon are widely available.

Figs, Grapes, Pawpaw, and Persimmons

Figs grow in the ground in South Jersey (Zone 7). In North Jersey, use large containers and move them into an unheated garage for winter. Brown Turkey and Chicago Hardy are the most cold-tolerant varieties.

Concord grapes handle Zone 6 reliably. Plant dormant vines in early spring. Pawpaw is a native NJ fruit tree that is cold-hardy, pest-resistant, and shade-tolerant. Plant two seedlings for cross-pollination. American persimmon is native to southern New Jersey, extremely cold-hardy, drought-tolerant once established, and more deer-resistant than most fruit trees.

When to Plant Herbs in New Jersey

Cool-Weather Herbs for Spring

Cilantro bolts fast in summer heat. Sow directly in March and succession plant every 3 weeks through May. Sow again in September for fall cilantro. Parsley germinates slowly at 3 to 4 weeks. Start indoors in late February or direct sow in April.

Warm-Season Herbs

Basil is the most cold-sensitive common herb. Wait until soil is 65F and nights stay above 55F. In NJ, that is after May 15 in North Jersey and after May 1 in South Jersey.

Rosemary is marginally hardy in Zone 6a. Treat as an annual in North NJ or overwinter in containers indoors. In South NJ (Zone 7b), it often survives with heavy mulch protection.

Perennial Herbs That Return Each Year

Thyme, oregano, chives, mint, lovage, and lemon balm are all perennial in New Jersey. Plant once and they return each spring.

Keep mint in a container only. It spreads by underground runners and will overtake raised beds and garden paths within one growing season.

When to Plant Flowers in New Jersey

Spring Bulbs and Cool-Season Annuals

Plant tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, and crocuses in October and November for spring blooms. These bulbs need cold stratification underground to flower properly.

Pansies and snapdragons tolerate frost. Transplant outdoors in April across most of New Jersey. They bloom through late spring before summer heat shuts them down.

Annual Flowers for Summer Color

Zinnias, marigolds, petunias, impatiens, and sunflowers go in after last frost. Sunflowers are the easiest: direct sow in May after soil hits 60F, germinating in 7 to 10 days.

Marigolds do double duty in NJ gardens. They deter Japanese beetles and other pests when planted along vegetable bed borders. Plant them as companion crops, not just decoration.

Perennial Flowers for New Jersey Gardens

Coneflowers, black-eyed Susans, daylilies, hostas, astilbe, and bee balm grow reliably across New Jersey without replanting. Plant perennials in spring or early fall to give them one full growing season to establish roots before winter.

Native Plants for New Jersey Gardens

Native plants are built for New Jersey conditions. They handle the state’s humidity, clay soils, and temperature swings better than most imported varieties. They also support native pollinators like bumblebees and monarch butterflies.

Native Plant	Type	When to Plant
Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa)	Perennial flower	Spring, full sun
Joe-Pye Weed	Perennial flower	Spring or fall, moist soil
New England Aster	Perennial flower	Spring, attracts monarchs
Wild Bergamot (Bee Balm)	Perennial herb/flower	Spring, great for pollinators
Cardinal Flower	Perennial flower	Spring, moist spots, hummingbirds
American Beautyberry	Shrub	Spring, birds love the berries
Beach Plum	Shrub	Spring, coastal NJ, edible fruit
Switchgrass	Ornamental grass	Spring, very drought-tolerant

Want to attract more bees, butterflies, and beneficial insects? Use our Pollinator Plant Finder to discover plants suited to your garden and local pollinators.

Native plants typically need no fertilizer and minimal watering once established. They are a practical choice for NJ gardeners who want lower-maintenance beds that still look good from spring through fall.

Best Crops to Grow in New Jersey Gardens

Best Vegetables for New Jersey

Tomatoes, peppers, zucchini, beans, cucumbers, sweet corn, and lettuce consistently perform well across the state. Leafy greens like kale and Swiss chard handle both spring and fall seasons.

New Jersey’s humid summers make disease-resistant varieties worth the extra effort to find. Defiant tomatoes and Liberty apples were both developed with NJ growing conditions in mind.

Best Fruit for New Jersey

Peaches, blueberries, and strawberries are the standout fruit crops for home NJ gardens. New Jersey is one of the leading blueberry- and peach-producing states in the United States, and for good reason. These crops are genuinely suited to the state’s climate.

For tree fruit in small gardens: semi-dwarf apple and peach trees produce full harvests in a fraction of the space a standard tree needs.

Best Herbs for New Jersey

Basil, parsley, chives, thyme, and oregano are the most practical herbs for NJ gardens. All are productive from late spring through fall. Chives and thyme come back every year without replanting.

Cilantro and dill do best in spring and again in fall. Both bolt quickly in NJ summer heat, so succession sowing in cool weather is the only way to keep them producing.

Best Flowers for New Jersey

Black-eyed Susans, coneflowers, zinnias, and marigolds are the most reliably productive flowers across New Jersey. They handle heat, tolerate occasional drought, and bloom for months without much attention.

For shade: hostas, astilbe, and impatiens all grow well in the partial to full shade common under NJ’s mature trees.

New Jersey Seed Starting Calendar

When to start seeds indoors in New Jersey depends on your last frost date. Use this calendar as your starting point.

Want personalized seed-starting dates for your area? Use the calculator below to determine when to start seeds indoors based on your local frost dates.

Crop	Weeks Before Last Frost	North NJ Start Date	South NJ Start Date
Onions, Leeks	12 to 14 weeks	Late January	Early January
Peppers	10 to 12 weeks	Mid-February	Early February
Eggplant	8 to 10 weeks	Late February	Mid-February
Tomatoes	6 to 8 weeks	Mid-March	Early March
Broccoli (spring)	6 to 8 weeks	Mid-March	Early March
Basil	4 to 6 weeks	Early April	Late March
Cucumbers	3 to 4 weeks	Mid-April	Late March
Squash	3 to 4 weeks	Mid-April	Late March

Hardening Off Seedlings Before Transplanting

Seedlings grown indoors need 7 to 10 days of gradual outdoor exposure before transplanting. Start with one hour of shade on day one and increase time and sun exposure daily.

Skip hardening off and transplants will sunburn, wilt, or suffer transplant shock even in warm weather. Leaves may turn white or curl even when temperatures are fine outdoors.

Planting in Raised Beds and Containers in New Jersey

Raised beds warm up 2 to 3 weeks earlier than in-ground soil. That lets NJ gardeners transplant cool crops earlier in spring and sometimes skip indoor starting for fast crops like radishes and lettuce.

Building new raised beds this season? Calculate how much soil you’ll need before planting using the tool below.

Raised Bed Planting Adjustments

Situation	Standard Date	Raised Bed Adjustment
Spring cool crops	March 15	March 1 to March 7
Tomato transplant (North NJ)	After May 10	After May 1 to 5
Fall broccoli transplant	August 10	August 15 to 20 (drains fast)
Fall spinach direct sow	September 1	Same timing, water more often

Container Gardening in New Jersey

Containers dry out fast in NJ summers. Water daily in July and August. Use potting mix with compost, never straight garden soil. Black containers on south-facing decks can hit 90F soil temps in July, which stresses root vegetables badly. Use light-colored containers or wrap dark pots with burlap in peak summer.

Adding mulch helps retain moisture and reduce watering needs; use our mulch calculator to estimate the right amount for your garden beds or containers.

Common New Jersey Garden Pests and Diseases

Common Garden Pests in New Jersey

Pest	Crops Affected	What to Do
Japanese Beetles	Beans, roses, grapes, basil	Hand-pick in morning, neem oil spray
Squash Vine Borer	Zucchini, squash	Row cover until flowering stage
Tomato Hornworm	Tomatoes, peppers	Hand-pick; white cocoons = beneficial wasp
Deer	Almost everything	Fencing is the only reliable solution
Groundhogs	Beans, peas, brassicas	Hardware cloth buried 12 inches deep

Common Garden Diseases in New Jersey

New Jersey’s humid summers create ideal conditions for fungal diseases. Good airflow, proper spacing, and resistant varieties prevent most problems before they start.

Disease	Crops Affected	Prevention
Early Blight	Tomatoes, potatoes	Mulch soil, avoid overhead watering
Late Blight	Tomatoes, potatoes	Use Defiant or Mountain Magic varieties
Powdery Mildew	Cucumbers, squash, phlox	Improve airflow, space plants properly
Downy Mildew	Lettuce, spinach, basil	Water in morning, thin plantings
Septoria Leaf Spot	Tomatoes	Remove infected leaves early, avoid wet foliage

If you’re unsure whether a problem is caused by pests, disease, or nutrient deficiencies, try our Plant Diagnosis Tool for help identifying common plant issues.

New Jersey Planting Dates by Region

Northern New Jersey

Zones 6a and 6b. Last frost April 15 to May 1. First frost around October 1 to October 15. Growing season 165 to 175 days.

The Highlands and Kittatinny Ridge run 5 to 7 days colder than valley floors due to elevation. Late frosts in early May are common in these areas some years. Some valley locations in Warren and Sussex counties can run warmer than nearby higher elevations.

Central New Jersey

Zone 6b to 7a. Last frost April 1 to April 15. Growing season around 190 days.

Most planting charts apply cleanly to Central NJ. Slightly warmer than North NJ with more flexibility for early spring transplants and fall planting into October.

Southern New Jersey

Zones 7a and 7b. Last frost March 15 to April 1. Growing season can reach 220 days or more near Cape May.

South Jersey gardeners near the Pine Barrens work with naturally sandy, acidic soil. Excellent for blueberries and root vegetables but needs compost amendment for most other crops. The Cape May peninsula often sees the earliest spring warming and latest fall frost in the state.

Jersey Shore and Coastal Areas

The Atlantic Ocean moderates coastal temperatures. Springs run cooler than inland areas at the same latitude, but falls run significantly warmer.

The extended frost-free fall window means kale, spinach, and brassicas grow into November and sometimes December without row covers. Salt-spray-tolerant plants like ornamental grasses, sea holly, and beach plum are naturally suited to shore conditions.

Fall and Winter Gardening in New Jersey

Extending the Season with Row Covers

A single layer of row cover fabric raises air temperature by 4 to 6 degrees. That is often enough to extend NJ harvests 3 to 4 weeks past the first frost.

Cold frames extend the season further still. Spinach, mache, and kale survive NJ winters in a cold frame and can provide fresh greens in February when nothing else is growing outdoors.

Overwintering in New Jersey

• Garlic: plant in fall, harvest July of next year
• Asparagus: plant crowns in spring, harvest starts year three
• Horseradish: plant in spring, improves each year
• Perennial herbs: thyme, oregano, chives return each spring
• Strawberries: mulch crowns after hard frost below 25F in November

Common Planting Mistakes New Jersey Gardeners Make

Planting Warm Crops Too Early

The most common NJ garden mistake is moving tomatoes and peppers into the ground when days are warm but nights still drop below 50F.

Use these planting dates as a starting point, then adjust for your local frost dates and actual weather conditions. Cold nights stall growth for 2 to 3 weeks even if plants survive.

Ignoring Soil Temperature

A $10 soil thermometer removes all guesswork. Check at 4 inches deep before transplanting tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, and beans. Air temperature is not the same as soil temperature.

Missing the Fall Planting Window

August 1 through August 20 is the window for fall brassica transplants statewide. Miss it and you lose the entire fall harvest for those crops. Most NJ gardeners skip fall entirely and leave 60 to 90 days of productive growing unused.

Skipping Soil Prep

Rutgers Cooperative Extension offers soil testing for NJ gardeners. The report tells you pH, nutrients, and what to add. Test every 2 to 3 years. Sandy Pine Barrens soil needs organic matter. Heavy clay in parts of North NJ needs amendment before it grows most crops well.

Improving sandy soil often starts with compost, and our compost calculator can help determine how much to add before planting.

Frequently Asked Questions about New Jersey Planting Calendar

When is the best time to start a garden in New Jersey (NJ)?

For most vegetables, start seeds indoors in late February to March. Move cool crops outdoors in April. Wait until after your last frost date before transplanting warm-season plants. That is late April to early May in North NJ and mid-April in South NJ.

What vegetables grow best in New Jersey?

Tomatoes, peppers, zucchini, beans, cucumbers, lettuce, kale, and sweet corn all grow well across New Jersey. Blueberries and peaches are the standout fruit crops. Cherry tomatoes are the most forgiving choice for beginners and containers.

What zone is New Jersey for gardening?

New Jersey spans USDA Zones 6a through 7b. Northern NJ is mostly Zone 6. Central NJ is Zone 6b to 7a. Southern NJ and shore areas are Zone 7a to 7b. Check your exact zone at planthardiness.ars.usda.gov using your ZIP code.

Can you garden year-round in New Jersey?

With row covers and cold frames, yes. Kale, spinach, mache, and carrots survive light frosts under protection. In South NJ, some greens grow outdoors through December. In North NJ, cold frames extend harvest to late November.

When should I plant garlic in New Jersey?

Plant garlic cloves from late September through October statewide. In South NJ, you can plant through early November. Garlic needs cold underground stratification over winter to bulb up properly. Harvest the following July when the lower leaves start to brown.

When should I plant tomatoes in New Jersey?

Plant tomatoes outdoors after the last frost has passed and soil temperature hits 60F at 4 inches deep. In North Jersey, that is typically after May 10. In South Jersey, transplanting often begins after April 20. Start seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before your last frost date.

When should I start seeds indoors in New Jersey(NJ)?

Start peppers and eggplant 10 to 12 weeks before your last frost (mid-February for most of NJ). Start tomatoes 6 to 8 weeks before last frost (mid-March in North NJ, early March in South NJ). Onions and leeks need 12 to 14 weeks, so they go under lights in late January. The full seed starting calendar with North and South NJ dates is in the dedicated section above.

What can I plant in New Jersey right now?

That depends on the month. In spring (March to April), plant cool crops like peas, lettuce, spinach, and broccoli. In late spring and summer (May to June), plant tomatoes, peppers, beans, and cucumbers after your last frost. In late summer (August to September), start fall crops like kale, spinach, arugula, and garlic. The quick-answer table at the top of this NJ planting calendar has a full month-by-month breakdown.

New Jersey Harvest Calendar

This harvest table works alongside the NJ planting calendar to plan your full growing season from seed to table. Timing shifts 1 to 2 weeks earlier in South NJ and 1 to 2 weeks later in North NJ.

Crop	Typical Harvest Window	Notes
Peas	May to June	Pick before pods get starchy
Lettuce	Apr to Jun, Sep to Nov	Cut-and-come-again extends harvest
Spinach	Apr to May, Oct to Nov	Harvest before bolting in heat
Radishes	Apr to Jun, Sep to Oct	25 to 30 days from sowing
Broccoli	May to Jun, Oct to Nov	Side shoots follow main head cut
Garlic	July	When lower 3 to 4 leaves brown
Beans	July to September	Pick every 2 to 3 days to keep producing
Cucumbers	July to September	Best flavor at 6 to 8 inches
Zucchini	July to September	Pick at 6 to 8 inches, do not let oversize
Tomatoes	July to October	NJ peak harvest in August
Peppers	July to October	Pick green or wait for full color
Sweet Corn	August	When silk turns brown, ear feels full
Winter Squash	Sep to October	Leave on vine until rind hardens
Kale	Sep to December	Flavor improves after first frost
Strawberries	May to June	June-bearing types, one main flush
Blueberries	July to August	Early, mid, and late varieties extend window
Peaches	July to August	Reliance and Contender peak mid-July in NJ
Apples	August to October	Early types Aug, Fuji and Honeycrisp Oct
Raspberries	Jun to Jul, Sep to Oct	Heritage gives a strong fall crop in NJ
Blackberries	July to August	Triple Crown peaks late July in South NJ

Final Notes on the New Jersey Planting Calendar

No single NJ planting calendar covers every yard perfectly. Elevation, proximity to the shore or Delaware Bay, local microclimates, and even your specific neighborhood all shift your real frost dates by several days.

Use this New Jersey vegetable planting guide as your starting framework. The New Jersey growing season runs roughly 165 days in the north and over 220 days near Cape May. What can I plant now in New Jersey is a question that has a different answer every month, which is why tracking your own conditions over two to three seasons gives you a more accurate local guide than any chart can.

For research-backed regional advice, Rutgers NJAES Cooperative Extension is the best resource for Garden State gardeners. For zone lookup by ZIP code, use the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map.

Disclaimer: Gardening information on Garden Truth is for educational purposes only. Results vary by climate, soil, weather, and growing conditions. For region-specific advice, consult your local USDA/ New Jersey Cooperative Extension Service before making major gardening or soil changes