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

Planting zone for 07438 — Oak Ridge, NJ

ZIP code 07438 (Oak Ridge, Passaic County) is in USDA zone 6b: the coldest winter night averages −5 to 0 °F. The median last spring frost is April 25 and the first fall frost October 17.

Where ZIP 07438 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.

Zone6b−5 to 0 °F

Coldest night−20.6 to −17.8 °C

Last frostApr 25

First frostOct 17

2012 zone6a

Was 6a 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 6b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Oak Ridge, 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 Oak Ridge, NJ

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 25median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 11only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 17median — 10% chance by Oct 2

Growing season174 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 11 and returns around October 31.

From the NOAA station Charlotteburg Rsvr, NJ — 5 miles away, elevation 778 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 07438

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 14 – Mar 28

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 14 – Apr 4

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 14 – Feb 28

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 4 – Apr 18

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 28 – Apr 11

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 4 – Apr 18

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 28 – Apr 11

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 4 – Apr 18

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 28 – Mar 14

TomatoesTransplant · May 2 – May 16

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 14 – Feb 28

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 9 – May 23

BeansSow outdoors · May 2 – May 16

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 2 – May 16

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 2 – May 16

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 22 – Sep 5

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 3 – Nov 7

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 25) and first fall frost (Oct 17) 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 07438 came on Apr 2 — 8 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 10).

average
Apr 102026
Apr 2

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).

Soil in Oak Ridge, NJ

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 07438 is Rockaway — sandy loam, well drained.

TextureSandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

pH5.0strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter2%moderate

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Rockaway sandy loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes, very stony.

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 07438; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Oak Ridge, NJ

Summer high83 °Faverage high, July

Winter low19 °Faverage low, January

Hot days10days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights138nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,784base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 08 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 13 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation49.3 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall28 inper year

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Charlotteburg Rsvr, NJ (5 mi away); precipitation: Oak Ridge Rsvr, NJ (within 1 mile). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 6b.

074356b

Newfoundland, NJ · 4 mi

074396b

Ogdensburg, NJ · 5 mi

Lake Hopatcong, NJ · 7 mi

New Jersey planting zones →

Questions about 07438

What planting zone is ZIP code 07438?

ZIP code 07438 (Oak Ridge, NJ) is in USDA hardiness zone 6b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −5 to 0 °F (−20.6 to −17.8 °C).

When is the last frost in Oak Ridge, NJ?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 07438 is April 25; after May 11 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Charlotteburg Rsvr station.

When is the first frost in Oak Ridge, NJ?

The median first fall frost near 07438 is October 17, giving a median frost-free growing season of 174 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 07438?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 28 – Mar 14 and set transplants outside around May 2 – May 16, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 07438 get?

About 49.3 inches of precipitation a year and 28 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Oak Ridge Rsvr station).

How hot do summers get in Oak Ridge, NJ?

The average high peaks at 83 °F in July, with about 10 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 07438 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Rockaway at the center of ZIP 07438: sandy loam, well drained, pH about 5.0 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Oak Ridge, NJ in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 07438 came on Apr 2 in 2026, 8 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 10), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Oak Ridge, NJ?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 07438 is 15 h 08 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 07438 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 07438 in zone 6a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.