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

Planting zone for 07877 — Swartswood, NJ

ZIP code 07877 (Swartswood, Sussex County) is in USDA zone 6b: the coldest winter night averages −5 to 0 °F. The median last spring frost is April 24 and the first fall frost October 16.

Where ZIP 07877 is

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 24

First frostOct 16

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 Swartswood, 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 Swartswood, NJ

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 24median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 9only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 16median — 10% chance by Oct 2

Growing season176 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 10 and returns around October 30.

From the NOAA station Newton, NJ — 6 miles away, elevation 604 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 07877

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 13 – Mar 27

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 13 – Apr 3

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 13 – Feb 27

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 3 – Apr 17

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 27 – Apr 10

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 3 – Apr 17

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 27 – Apr 10

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 3 – Apr 17

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 27 – Mar 13

TomatoesTransplant · May 1 – May 15

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 13 – Feb 27

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 8 – May 22

BeansSow outdoors · May 1 – May 15

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 1 – May 15

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 1 – May 15

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 21 – Sep 4

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 2 – Nov 6

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 24) and first fall frost (Oct 16) 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 07877 came on Apr 1 — 6 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 7).

average
Apr 72026
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 Swartswood, NJ.

Soil in Swartswood, NJ

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 07877 is Wurtsboro — slightly decomposed plant material, moderately well drained.

TextureSlightly decomposed plant materialtop layer

DrainageModerately well drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter85%high

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Wurtsboro-Swartswood complex, 0 to 8 percent slopes, extremely 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 07877; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Swartswood, NJ

Summer high84 °Faverage high, July

Winter low17 °Faverage low, January

Hot days12days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights142nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,902base 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)

Precipitation50.3 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: Newton, NJ (6 mi away); precipitation: Andover Twp 1.7 W, NJ (7 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 6b.

078556b

Middleville, NJ · 3 mi

078606b

Newton, NJ · 4 mi

078756b

Stillwater, NJ · 4 mi

078266b

Branchville, NJ · 5 mi

078816b

Wallpack Center, NJ · 5 mi

078906b

Branchville, NJ · 6 mi

New Jersey planting zones →

Questions about 07877

What planting zone is ZIP code 07877?

ZIP code 07877 (Swartswood, 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 Swartswood, NJ?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 07877 is April 24; after May 9 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Newton station.

When is the first frost in Swartswood, NJ?

The median first fall frost near 07877 is October 16, giving a median frost-free growing season of 176 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 07877?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 27 – Mar 13 and set transplants outside around May 1 – May 15, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 07877 get?

About 50.3 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Andover Twp 1.7 W station).

How hot do summers get in Swartswood, NJ?

The average high peaks at 84 °F in July, with about 12 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 07877 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Wurtsboro at the center of ZIP 07877: slightly decomposed plant material, moderately well drained.

Did spring come early in Swartswood, NJ in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 07877 came on Apr 1 in 2026, 6 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 7), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Swartswood, NJ?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 07877 is 15 h 08 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 07877 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 07877 in zone 6a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.