Planting zone for 07851 — Layton, NJ
ZIP code 07851 (Layton, 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 07851 is
Outlined: the ZIP code area · tap the map for the zone at any spot · scroll or pinch to zoomNot 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.
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 ServiceLoading the forecast for Layton, 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 Layton, NJ
A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 18 and returns around October 24.
From the NOAA station Sussex 3 Wnw, NJ — 10 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 07851
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 07851 came on Apr 1 — 8 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 9).
Apr 92026
Apr 1
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.
Trees 78
Shrubs 116
Wildflowers & perennials 197
Grasses 166
Vines 9
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 Layton, NJ.
Soil in Layton, NJ
The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 07851 is Wallpack — silt loam, well drained.
Map unit: Wallpack silt loam, 8 to 15 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 07851; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.
Climate in Layton, NJ
Average high and low, by month
Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall
NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Sussex 3 Wnw, NJ (10 mi away); precipitation: Sussex 3 Wnw, NJ (10 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.
Nearby ZIP codes
All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 6b.
Questions about 07851
What planting zone is ZIP code 07851?
ZIP code 07851 (Layton, 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 Layton, NJ?
The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 07851 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 Layton, NJ?
The median first fall frost near 07851 is October 11, giving a median frost-free growing season of 163 days.
When should I plant tomatoes in 07851?
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 07851 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 Layton, 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 07851 have?
The USDA soil survey maps Wallpack at the center of ZIP 07851: silt loam, well drained, pH about 5.3 (strongly acidic).
Did spring come early in Layton, NJ in 2026?
Spring leaf-out near 07851 came on Apr 1 in 2026, 8 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 9), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.
What kind of onions grow in Layton, NJ?
Long-day onions: the longest day near 07851 is 15 h 09 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).
Did the zone for 07851 change?
Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 07851 in zone 6a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.