Data: 2023 USDA zones (PRISM/OSU) · NOAA 1991–2020 normals · updated Oct 29, 2026

Planting zone for Orange, NJ

Orange, NJ is in USDA zone 7a across its 2 ZIP codes. The median last spring frost is April 4 and the first fall frost November 6.

Orange on the zone map

Outlined: its 1 ZIP code areas · tap the map for the zone at any spot · scroll or pinch to zoom

Not the official USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Zones come from the 2023 USDA hardiness-zone data by the PRISM Group, Oregon State University; we re-mapped and recolored them. The official map is at planthardiness.ars.usda.gov.

Zone7a0 to 5 °F

ZIP codes2

Last frostApr 4

First frostNov 6

Growing season216 days

7a 2 ZIPs

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

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Forecast data: National Weather Service (api.weather.gov), public domain. This is not a warning service — for official frost and freeze warnings see weather.gov.

Frost dates in Orange, NJ

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free

Last spring frostApril 4median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 16only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 6median — 10% chance by Oct 25

Growing season216 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 26 and returns around November 19.

From the NOAA station Harrison, NJ, elevation 23 ft. NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, 32 °F threshold. Low spots and valleys can freeze later in spring than the station.

When to plant vegetables in Orange

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 21 – Mar 7

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 21 – Mar 14

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 24 – Feb 7

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 14 – Mar 28

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 7 – Mar 21

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 14 – Mar 28

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 7 – Mar 21

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 14 – Mar 28

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 7 – Feb 21

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 11 – Apr 25

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 24 – Feb 7

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 18 – May 2

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 11 – Apr 25

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 11 – Apr 25

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 11 – Apr 25

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 11 – Sep 25

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 23 – Nov 27

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 4) and first fall frost (Nov 6) with the rules of thumb U.S. extension services publish. Cool-season crops take a light frost; warm-season crops do best once the soil is above about 60 °F.

When spring arrived in 2026

In 2026, spring leaf-out near 07051 came on Mar 27 — 4 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 31).

average
Mar 312026
Mar 27

JanFebMarAprMayJun

The Spring Index marks the day when accumulated warmth is enough for lilac and honeysuckle to leaf out — a widely used signal that the growing season has started. Source: USA National Phenology Network, www.usanpn.org — Spring Indices, first leaf, 2026 (data as of 2026-09-08) and 30-year average 1991–2020 (CC BY 4.0).

Native plants for zone 7a in New Jersey

600 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in New Jersey, and rated by the USDA to survive 0 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 7a. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

Source: USDA, NRCS. 2026. The PLANTS Database (plants.usda.gov), National Plant Data Team — state distribution, native status and the “Temperature, Minimum” characteristic. Check light, moisture and soil needs before buying; local nurseries and your state native plant society can confirm what thrives in Orange, NJ.

Soil in Orange, NJ

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 07051 is Boonton — slightly decomposed plant material, well drained.

TextureSlightly decomposed plant materialtop layer

pH3.9strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter77%high

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Boonton - Urban land, Boonton substratum complex, red sandstone lowland, 0 to 8 percent slopes.

Soil Survey Staff, Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA. Soil Survey Geographic (SSURGO) Database, via Soil Data Access, accessed 2026-10-29. The soil at the center point of ZIP 07051; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Orange, NJ

Summer high86 °Faverage high, July

Winter low21 °Faverage low, January

Hot days20days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights118nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days3,247base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 06 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 15 mindaylight on December 21

Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)

Precipitation48.6 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Essex Fells Service Bldg, NJ (4 mi away); precipitation: Essex Fells Service Bldg, NJ (4 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

ZIP codes in Orange

New Jersey planting zones →

Questions about Orange

What planting zone is Orange, NJ?

Orange, NJ is in USDA hardiness zone 7a on the 2023 map (7a: 0 to 5 °F).

When is the last frost in Orange, NJ?

The median last spring frost is April 4 and the median first fall frost is November 6 (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Harrison station).

When can I plant a garden in Orange, NJ?

Cool-season crops like peas and spinach go in around Feb 21 – Mar 14; tomatoes, peppers, beans and squash after about Apr 11, once frost risk has passed.

What kind of onions grow in Orange, NJ?

Long-day onions: the longest day is 15 h 06 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

How much rain and snow does Orange, NJ get?

About 48.6 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals).