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

Planting zone for 07461 — Sussex, NJ

ZIP code 07461 (Sussex, Sussex County) is in USDA zone 6b: the coldest winter night averages −5 to 0 °F. The median last spring frost is April 30 and the first fall frost October 11.

Where ZIP 07461 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 30

First frostOct 11

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 Sussex, 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 Sussex, NJ

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 30median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 18only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 11median — 10% chance by Sep 30

Growing season163 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 18 and returns around October 24.

From the NOAA station Sussex 3 Wnw, NJ — 3 miles away, elevation 666 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 07461

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 19 – Apr 2

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 19 – Apr 9

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 19 – Mar 5

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 9 – Apr 23

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 2 – Apr 16

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 9 – Apr 23

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 2 – Apr 16

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 9 – Apr 23

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 5 – Mar 19

TomatoesTransplant · May 7 – May 21

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 19 – Mar 5

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 14 – May 28

BeansSow outdoors · May 7 – May 21

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 7 – May 21

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 7 – May 21

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 16 – Aug 30

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 27 – Nov 1

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 30) and first fall frost (Oct 11) 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 07461 came on Apr 1 — 7 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 8).

average
Apr 82026
Apr 1

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 6b in New Jersey

581 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 6b. 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 Sussex, NJ.

Soil in Sussex, NJ

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 07461 is Nassau — very channery silt loam, somewhat excessively drained.

TextureVery channery silt loama good balance for most vegetables

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

DrainageSomewhat excessively drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter3.5%moderate

Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Nassau-Manlius very channery silt loams, 15 to 35 percent slopes, rocky.

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 07461; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Sussex, NJ

Summer high83 °Faverage high, July

Winter low17 °Faverage low, January

Hot days13days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights146nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,682base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 09 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 12 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation48.7 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall39 inper year; 52 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

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

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 6b.

109886b

Unionville, NY · 5 mi

Pine Island, NY · 7 mi

New Jersey planting zones →

Questions about 07461

What planting zone is ZIP code 07461?

ZIP code 07461 (Sussex, 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 Sussex, NJ?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 07461 is April 30; after May 18 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Sussex 3 Wnw station.

When is the first frost in Sussex, NJ?

The median first fall frost near 07461 is October 11, giving a median frost-free growing season of 163 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 07461?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 5 – Mar 19 and set transplants outside around May 7 – May 21, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 07461 get?

About 48.7 inches of precipitation a year and 39 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Sussex 3 Wnw station).

How hot do summers get in Sussex, NJ?

The average high peaks at 83 °F in July, with about 13 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 07461 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Nassau at the center of ZIP 07461: very channery silt loam, somewhat excessively drained, pH about 5.0 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Sussex, NJ in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 07461 came on Apr 1 in 2026, 7 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 8), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Sussex, NJ?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 07461 is 15 h 09 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 07461 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 07461 in zone 6a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.