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

Planting zone for 07004 — Fairfield, NJ

ZIP code 07004 (Fairfield, Essex County) is in USDA zone 7a: the coldest winter night averages 0 to 5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 14 and the first fall frost October 28.

Where ZIP 07004 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.

Zone7a0 to 5 °F
Coldest night−17.8 to −15 °C
Last frostApr 14
First frostOct 28
2012 zone6b

Was 6b 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 7a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Fairfield, 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 Fairfield, NJ

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 14median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 30only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 28median — 10% chance by Oct 13
Growing season196 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 1 and returns around November 9.

From the NOAA station Caldwell Essex Co. Airport, NJ — within 1 mile, elevation 174 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 07004

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 3 – Mar 17
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 3 – Mar 24
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 3 – Feb 17
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 24 – Apr 7
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 17 – Mar 31
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 24 – Apr 7
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 17 – Mar 31
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 24 – Apr 7
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 17 – Mar 3
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 21 – May 5
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 3 – Feb 17
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 28 – May 12
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 21 – May 5
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 21 – May 5
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 21 – May 5
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 2 – Sep 16
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 14 – Nov 18
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 14) and first fall frost (Oct 28) 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 07004 came on Mar 24 — 4 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 28).

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.

Trees 80

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 201

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 175

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 Fairfield, NJ.

Soil in Fairfield, NJ

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 07004 is Horseneck — sandy loam, moderately well drained.

TextureSandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH4.6strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageModerately well drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter1.9%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupA/Ddrains fast once dried out; wet otherwise
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Horseneck - Urban land, Horseneck substratum 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 07004; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Fairfield, NJ

Summer high85 °Faverage high, July
Winter low23 °Faverage low, January
Hot days21days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights108nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days3,385base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 07 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 14 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation44.9 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 38 °F, low 23 °F 38°23° JanFebruary: average high 41 °F, low 24 °F 41°24° FebMarch: average high 49 °F, low 31 °F 49°31° MarApril: average high 62 °F, low 41 °F 62°41° AprMay: average high 72 °F, low 51 °F 72°51° MayJune: average high 81 °F, low 60 °F 81°60° JunJuly: average high 85 °F, low 66 °F 85°66° JulAugust: average high 84 °F, low 64 °F 84°64° AugSeptember: average high 76 °F, low 57 °F 76°57° SepOctober: average high 65 °F, low 45 °F 65°45° OctNovember: average high 53 °F, low 35 °F 53°35° NovDecember: average high 43 °F, low 28 °F 43°28° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 3.04 in precipitation 3.0 JanFebruary: 2.55 in precipitation 2.5 FebMarch: 4.07 in precipitation 4.1 MarApril: 3.71 in precipitation 3.7 AprMay: 3.39 in precipitation 3.4 MayJune: 4.27 in precipitation 4.3 JunJuly: 4.33 in precipitation 4.3 JulAugust: 4.49 in precipitation 4.5 AugSeptember: 3.72 in precipitation 3.7 SepOctober: 3.97 in precipitation 4.0 OctNovember: 3.30 in precipitation 3.3 NovDecember: 4.04 in precipitation 4.0 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Caldwell Essex Co. Airport, NJ (within 1 mile); precipitation: Caldwell Essex Co. Airport, NJ (within 1 mile). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 7a.

070587a
Pine Brook, NJ · 2 mi
070067a
Caldwell, NJ · 2 mi
070357a
Lincoln Park, NJ · 3 mi
070077a
Caldwell, NJ · 3 mi
070457a
Montville, NJ · 4 mi
070827a
Towaco, NJ · 4 mi
070347a
Lake Hiawatha, NJ · 4 mi
070217a
Essex Fells, NJ · 4 mi

New Jersey planting zones →

Questions about 07004

What planting zone is ZIP code 07004?

ZIP code 07004 (Fairfield, NJ) is in USDA hardiness zone 7a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 0 to 5 °F (−17.8 to −15 °C).

When is the last frost in Fairfield, NJ?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 07004 is April 14; after April 30 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Caldwell Essex Co. Airport station.

When is the first frost in Fairfield, NJ?

The median first fall frost near 07004 is October 28, giving a median frost-free growing season of 196 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 07004?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 17 – Mar 3 and set transplants outside around Apr 21 – May 5, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 07004 get?

About 44.9 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Caldwell Essex Co. Airport station).

How hot do summers get in Fairfield, NJ?

The average high peaks at 85 °F in July, with about 21 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 07004 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Horseneck at the center of ZIP 07004: sandy loam, moderately well drained, pH about 4.6 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Fairfield, NJ in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 07004 came on Mar 24 in 2026, 4 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 28), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Fairfield, NJ?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 07004 is 15 h 07 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 07004 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 07004 in zone 6b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.