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

Planting zone for 08006 — Barnegat Light, NJ

ZIP code 08006 (Barnegat Light, Ocean County) is in USDA zone 7b: the coldest winter night averages 5 to 10 °F. The median last spring frost is April 1 and the first fall frost November 15.

Where ZIP 08006 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.

Zone7b5 to 10 °F

Coldest night−15 to −12.2 °C

Last frostApr 1

First frostNov 15

2012 zone7a

Was 7a 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 7b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Barnegat Light, 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 Barnegat Light, NJ

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 1median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 15only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 15median — 10% chance by Nov 2

Growing season230 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 22 and returns around November 28.

From the NOAA station Brant Beach-Beach Haven, NJ — 15 miles away, elevation 7 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 08006

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 18 – Mar 4

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 18 – Mar 11

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 21 – Feb 4

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 11 – Mar 25

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 4 – Mar 18

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 11 – Mar 25

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 4 – Mar 18

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 11 – Mar 25

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 4 – Feb 18

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 8 – Apr 22

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 21 – Feb 4

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 15 – Apr 29

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 8 – Apr 22

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 8 – Apr 22

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 8 – Apr 22

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 20 – Oct 4

GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 1 – Dec 6

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 1) and first fall frost (Nov 15) 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 08006 came on Mar 24 — 3 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 21).

average
Mar 212026
Mar 24

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 7b in New Jersey

605 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 7b. 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 Barnegat Light, NJ.

Soil in Barnegat Light, NJ

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 08006 is Hooksan — fine sand, excessively drained.

TextureFine sanddrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

pH6.5neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageExcessively drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter0.75%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Hooksan fine sand, 2 to 10 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 08006; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Barnegat Light, NJ

Summer high84 °Faverage high, July

Winter low27 °Faverage low, January

Hot days10days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights71nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days3,578base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 59 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 21 mindaylight on December 21

Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully

Precipitation51.3 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: Brant Beach-Beach Haven, NJ (15 mi away); precipitation: Lacey Twp 6.3 E, NJ (8 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

087567b

Toms River, NJ · 5 mi

087527b

Seaside Park, NJ · 6 mi

080507b

Manahawkin, NJ · 7 mi

087587a

Waretown, NJ · 8 mi

087347b

Lanoka Harbor, NJ · 8 mi

080087b

Beach Haven, NJ · 10 mi

New Jersey planting zones →

Questions about 08006

What planting zone is ZIP code 08006?

ZIP code 08006 (Barnegat Light, NJ) is in USDA hardiness zone 7b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 5 to 10 °F (−15 to −12.2 °C).

When is the last frost in Barnegat Light, NJ?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 08006 is April 1; after April 15 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Brant Beach-Beach Haven station.

When is the first frost in Barnegat Light, NJ?

The median first fall frost near 08006 is November 15, giving a median frost-free growing season of 230 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 08006?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 4 – Feb 18 and set transplants outside around Apr 8 – Apr 22, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 08006 get?

About 51.3 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Lacey Twp 6.3 E station).

How hot do summers get in Barnegat Light, NJ?

The average high peaks at 84 °F in July, with about 10 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 08006 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Hooksan at the center of ZIP 08006: fine sand, excessively drained, pH about 6.5 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Barnegat Light, NJ in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 08006 came on Mar 24 in 2026, 3 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 21), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Barnegat Light, NJ?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 08006 is 14 h 59 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 08006 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 08006 in zone 7a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.