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

Planting zone for 07001 — Avenel, NJ

ZIP code 07001 (Avenel, Middlesex County) is in USDA zone 7b: the coldest winter night averages 5 to 10 °F. The median last spring frost is April 11 and the first fall frost October 31.

Where ZIP 07001 is

Outlined: the ZIP code area · 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.

Zone7b5 to 10 °F
Coldest night−15 to −12.2 °C
Last frostApr 11
First frostOct 31
2012 zone7a

Was 7a on the 2012 map — half a zone warmer now. The zone is the one at the center of the ZIP code; hilly ZIPs can span two zones. What zone 7b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Avenel, NJ…

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 Avenel, NJ

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 11median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 28only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 31median — 10% chance by Oct 14
Growing season202 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 30 and returns around November 12.

From the NOAA station Cranford, NJ — 6 miles away, elevation 79 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 07001

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Feb 28 – Mar 14
SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 28 – Mar 21
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 31 – Feb 14
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 21 – Apr 4
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 14 – Mar 28
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 21 – Apr 4
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 14 – Mar 28
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 21 – Apr 4
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 14 – Feb 28
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 18 – May 2
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 31 – Feb 14
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 25 – May 9
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 18 – May 2
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 18 – May 2
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 18 – May 2
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 5 – Sep 19
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 17 – Nov 21
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 11) and first fall frost (Oct 31) 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 07001 came on Mar 19 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Mar 21).

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 7b in New Jersey

605 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in New Jersey, and rated by the USDA to survive 5 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 7b. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

Trees 81

American basswood100 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican beech80 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −44 °FAmerican chestnut115 ft · blooms early summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican elm120 ft · blooms early spring · medium shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican sycamore100 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −34 °Farborvitae50 ft · blooms mid spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °F

Shrubs 119

alderleaf buckthorn3 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −33 °FAllegheny serviceberry35 ft · blooms early spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Falternateleaf dogwood25 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −47 °FAmerican black currant3 ft · blooms early spring · to −46 °FAmerican hazelnut10 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican holly40 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −20 °F

Wildflowers & perennials 204

alkali buttercup1 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican bur-reed3 ft · blooms indeterminate · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican eelgrass1 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican lotus3 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −36 °FAmerican pokeweed7 ft · blooms mid summer · low shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican speedwell0.8 ft · blooms mid summer · low shade tolerance · to −38 °F

Grasses 176

American beachgrass2.5 ft · blooms spring · high shade tolerance · to −28 °FAmerican cupscale3 ft · blooms early summer · high shade tolerance · to −18 °Farctic brome3 ft · blooms early summer · low shade tolerance · to −33 °FAtlantic mannagrass3 ft · blooms summer · low shade tolerance · to −8 °Fautumn bluegrass1.5 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −8 °Fawlfruit sedge4 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °F

Vines 10

American bittersweet15 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican wisteria50 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −3 °Fcatbird grape30 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −13 °Fdevil's darning needles15 ft · blooms mid summer · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °Ffrost grape83 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −23 °Friverbank grape45 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °F

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 Avenel, NJ.

Soil in Avenel, NJ

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 07001 is Boonton — loam, well drained.

TextureLoama good balance for most vegetables
pH3.9strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter3%moderate
Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Boonton-Urban land complex, 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 07001; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Avenel, NJ

Summer high86 °Faverage high, July
Winter low25 °Faverage low, January
Hot days28days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights111nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days3,648base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 05 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 16 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation49.5 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 40 °F, low 25 °F 40°25° JanFebruary: average high 43 °F, low 27 °F 43°27° FebMarch: average high 51 °F, low 33 °F 51°33° MarApril: average high 63 °F, low 43 °F 63°43° AprMay: average high 72 °F, low 53 °F 72°53° MayJune: average high 81 °F, low 62 °F 81°62° JunJuly: average high 86 °F, low 68 °F 86°68° JulAugust: average high 84 °F, low 66 °F 84°66° AugSeptember: average high 77 °F, low 59 °F 77°59° SepOctober: average high 66 °F, low 47 °F 66°47° OctNovember: average high 55 °F, low 38 °F 55°38° NovDecember: average high 45 °F, low 31 °F 45°31° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″6″January: 3.63 in precipitation 3.6 JanFebruary: 3.01 in precipitation 3.0 FebMarch: 4.28 in precipitation 4.3 MarApril: 3.91 in precipitation 3.9 AprMay: 3.96 in precipitation 4.0 MayJune: 5.11 in precipitation 5.1 JunJuly: 4.69 in precipitation 4.7 JulAugust: 4.34 in precipitation 4.3 AugSeptember: 4.39 in precipitation 4.4 SepOctober: 4.15 in precipitation 4.2 OctNovember: 3.48 in precipitation 3.5 NovDecember: 4.59 in precipitation 4.6 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Cranford, NJ (6 mi away); precipitation: Woodbridge Twp 1.1 Nne, NJ (within 1 mile). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

2 of the 8 nearest ZIP codes are in a different zone — elevation and distance from water change winter lows quickly.

070657b
Rahway, NJ · 2 mi
070647b
Port Reading, NJ · 2 mi
070087b
Carteret, NJ · 2 mi
070677a
Colonia, NJ · 2 mi
070777b
Sewaren, NJ · 2 mi
070957b
Woodbridge, NJ · 2 mi
088307a
Iselin, NJ · 3 mi
070367b
Linden, NJ · 3 mi

New Jersey planting zones →

Questions about 07001

What planting zone is ZIP code 07001?

ZIP code 07001 (Avenel, NJ) is in USDA hardiness zone 7b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 5 to 10 °F (−15 to −12.2 °C).

When is the last frost in Avenel, NJ?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 07001 is April 11; after April 28 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Cranford station.

When is the first frost in Avenel, NJ?

The median first fall frost near 07001 is October 31, giving a median frost-free growing season of 202 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 07001?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 14 – Feb 28 and set transplants outside around Apr 18 – May 2, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 07001 get?

About 49.5 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Woodbridge Twp 1.1 Nne station).

How hot do summers get in Avenel, NJ?

The average high peaks at 86 °F in July, with about 28 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 07001 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Boonton at the center of ZIP 07001: loam, well drained, pH about 3.9 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Avenel, NJ in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 07001 came on Mar 19 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Mar 21), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Avenel, NJ?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 07001 is 15 h 05 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 07001 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 07001 in zone 7a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.