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

Planting zone for 07008 — Carteret, NJ

ZIP code 07008 (Carteret, Middlesex County) is in USDA zone 7b: the coldest winter night averages 5 to 10 °F. The median last spring frost is April 2 and the first fall frost November 10.

Where ZIP 07008 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 2

First frostNov 10

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 Carteret, 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 Carteret, NJ

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 2median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 15only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 10median — 10% chance by Oct 28

Growing season222 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 23 and returns around November 22.

From the NOAA station Newark Intl Airport, NJ — 7 miles away, elevation 7 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 07008

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 19 – Mar 5

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 19 – Mar 12

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 22 – Feb 5

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 12 – Mar 26

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 5 – Mar 19

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 12 – Mar 26

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 5 – Mar 19

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 12 – Mar 26

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 5 – Feb 19

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 9 – Apr 23

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 22 – Feb 5

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 16 – Apr 30

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 9 – Apr 23

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 9 – Apr 23

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 9 – Apr 23

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 15 – Sep 29

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 27 – Dec 1

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 2) and first fall frost (Nov 10) 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 07008 came on Mar 22 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Mar 20).

average
Mar 202026
Mar 22

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.

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 Carteret, NJ.

Soil in Carteret, NJ

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 07008 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 07008; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Carteret, NJ

Summer high87 °Faverage high, July

Winter low26 °Faverage low, January

Hot days28days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights80nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days3,879base 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

Precipitation by month inches

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Newark Intl Airport, NJ (7 mi away); precipitation: Woodbridge Twp 1.1 Nne, NJ (3 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 7b.

070647b

Port Reading, NJ · 1 mi

Staten Island, NY · 3 mi

070657b

Rahway, NJ · 3 mi

103147b

Staten Island, NY · 4 mi

103127b

Staten Island, NY · 4 mi

New Jersey planting zones →

Questions about 07008

What planting zone is ZIP code 07008?

ZIP code 07008 (Carteret, 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 Carteret, NJ?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 07008 is April 2; after April 15 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Newark Intl Airport station.

When is the first frost in Carteret, NJ?

The median first fall frost near 07008 is November 10, giving a median frost-free growing season of 222 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 07008?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 5 – Feb 19 and set transplants outside around Apr 9 – Apr 23, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 07008 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 Carteret, NJ?

The average high peaks at 87 °F in July, with about 28 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 07008 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Boonton at the center of ZIP 07008: loam, well drained, pH about 3.9 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Carteret, NJ in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 07008 came on Mar 22 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Mar 20), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Carteret, NJ?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 07008 is 15 h 05 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 07008 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 07008 in zone 7a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.