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

Planting zone for 07202 — Elizabeth, NJ

ZIP code 07202 (Elizabeth, Union 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 07202 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 Elizabeth, 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 Elizabeth, 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 — 3 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 07202

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 07202 came on Mar 15 — 6 days earlier than 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 Elizabeth, NJ.

Soil in Elizabeth, NJ

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 07202 is Udorthents — loam, well drained. Much of the area is built over (urban land); this is the natural soil underneath.

TextureLoama good balance for most vegetables
pH5.5moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter3%moderate
Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Urban land.

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 07202; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Elizabeth, 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 15 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation46.6 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall32 inper year; 22 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 40 °F, low 26 °F 40°26° JanFebruary: average high 43 °F, low 27 °F 43°27° FebMarch: average high 51 °F, low 34 °F 51°34° MarApril: average high 63 °F, low 44 °F 63°44° AprMay: average high 73 °F, low 54 °F 73°54° MayJune: average high 82 °F, low 64 °F 82°64° JunJuly: average high 87 °F, low 69 °F 87°69° JulAugust: average high 85 °F, low 68 °F 85°68° AugSeptember: average high 78 °F, low 61 °F 78°61° SepOctober: average high 66 °F, low 49 °F 66°49° OctNovember: average high 55 °F, low 39 °F 55°39° NovDecember: average high 45 °F, low 31 °F 45°31° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 3.42 in precipitation, 9.1 in snowfall 3.4❄9 JanFebruary: 2.98 in precipitation, 10.1 in snowfall 3.0❄10 FebMarch: 4.13 in precipitation, 5.6 in snowfall 4.1❄6 MarApril: 3.87 in precipitation, 0.5 in snowfall 3.9❄1 AprMay: 3.97 in precipitation 4.0 MayJune: 4.34 in precipitation 4.3 JunJuly: 4.66 in precipitation 4.7 JulAugust: 4.15 in precipitation 4.2 AugSeptember: 3.82 in precipitation 3.8 SepOctober: 3.79 in precipitation, 0.2 in snowfall 3.8 OctNovember: 3.33 in precipitation, 0.6 in snowfall 3.3❄1 NovDecember: 4.14 in precipitation, 5.4 in snowfall 4.1❄5 Dec

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

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 7b.

072077b
Elizabeth, NJ · <1 mi
072087b
Elizabeth, NJ · 1 mi
072067b
Elizabethport, NJ · 2 mi
070367b
Linden, NJ · 2 mi
072037b
Roselle, NJ · 2 mi
072017b
Elizabeth, NJ · 2 mi
103037b
Staten Island, NY · 3 mi
072047b
Roselle Park, NJ · 3 mi

All 4 ZIP codes in Elizabeth → · New Jersey planting zones →

Questions about 07202

What planting zone is ZIP code 07202?

ZIP code 07202 (Elizabeth, 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 Elizabeth, NJ?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 07202 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 Elizabeth, NJ?

The median first fall frost near 07202 is November 10, giving a median frost-free growing season of 222 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 07202?

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 07202 get?

About 46.6 inches of precipitation a year and 32 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Newark Intl Airport station).

How hot do summers get in Elizabeth, 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 07202 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Udorthents at the center of ZIP 07202: loam, well drained, pH about 5.5 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Elizabeth, NJ in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 07202 came on Mar 15 in 2026, 6 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 21), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Elizabeth, NJ?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 07202 is 15 h 05 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 07202 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 07202 in zone 7a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.