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

Planting zone for 07853 — Long Valley, NJ

ZIP code 07853 (Long Valley, Morris County) is in USDA zone 6b: the coldest winter night averages −5 to 0 °F. The median last spring frost is April 26 and the first fall frost October 18.

Where ZIP 07853 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 26

First frostOct 18

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 Long Valley, 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 Long Valley, NJ

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 26median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 13only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 18median — 10% chance by Oct 5

Growing season176 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 11 and returns around October 30.

From the NOAA station Somerville Somerset Airport, NJ — 13 miles away, elevation 105 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 07853

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 15 – Mar 29

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 15 – Apr 5

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 15 – Mar 1

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 5 – Apr 19

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 29 – Apr 12

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 5 – Apr 19

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 29 – Apr 12

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 5 – Apr 19

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 1 – Mar 15

TomatoesTransplant · May 3 – May 17

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 15 – Mar 1

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 10 – May 24

BeansSow outdoors · May 3 – May 17

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 3 – May 17

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 3 – May 17

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 23 – Sep 6

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 4 – Nov 8

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 26) and first fall frost (Oct 18) 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 07853 came on Apr 1 — 9 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 10).

average
Apr 102026
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 Long Valley, NJ.

Soil in Long Valley, NJ

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 07853 is Turbotville — loam, somewhat poorly drained.

TextureLoama good balance for most vegetables

pH6.1slightly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageSomewhat poorly drainedconsider raised beds

Organic matter3%moderate

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Turbotville loam, 3 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 07853; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Long Valley, NJ

Summer high86 °Faverage high, July

Winter low21 °Faverage low, January

Hot days23days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights124nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days3,215base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 06 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)

Precipitation51.7 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: Somerville Somerset Airport, NJ (13 mi away); precipitation: Washington Twp 3.6 W, NJ (4 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

1 of the 8 nearest ZIP codes are in a different zone — elevation and distance from water change winter lows quickly.

078706b

Schooleys Mountain, NJ · 2 mi

Hackettstown, NJ · 6 mi

079797a

Pottersville, NJ · 6 mi

078656b

Port Murray, NJ · 6 mi

078286b

Budd Lake, NJ · 7 mi

New Jersey planting zones →

Questions about 07853

What planting zone is ZIP code 07853?

ZIP code 07853 (Long Valley, 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 Long Valley, NJ?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 07853 is April 26; after May 13 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Somerville Somerset Airport station.

When is the first frost in Long Valley, NJ?

The median first fall frost near 07853 is October 18, giving a median frost-free growing season of 176 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 07853?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 1 – Mar 15 and set transplants outside around May 3 – May 17, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 07853 get?

About 51.7 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Washington Twp 3.6 W station).

How hot do summers get in Long Valley, NJ?

The average high peaks at 86 °F in July, with about 23 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 07853 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Turbotville at the center of ZIP 07853: loam, somewhat poorly drained, pH about 6.1 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in Long Valley, NJ in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 07853 came on Apr 1 in 2026, 9 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 10), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Long Valley, NJ?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 07853 is 15 h 06 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 07853 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 07853 in zone 6a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.