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

Planting zone for 08085 — Swedesboro, NJ

ZIP code 08085 (Swedesboro, Gloucester County) is in USDA zone 7b: the coldest winter night averages 5 to 10 °F. The median last spring frost is March 30 and the first fall frost November 16.

Where ZIP 08085 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 frostMar 30
First frostNov 16
2012 zone7b

Same zone as on the 2012 map. 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 Swedesboro, 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 Swedesboro, NJ

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMarch 30median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 9only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostNovember 16median — 10% chance by Nov 2
Growing season230 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 20 and returns around November 28.

From the NOAA station Marcus Hook, PA — 7 miles away, elevation 10 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 08085

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Feb 16 – Mar 2
SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 16 – Mar 9
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 19 – Feb 2
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 9 – Mar 23
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 2 – Mar 16
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 9 – Mar 23
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 2 – Mar 16
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 9 – Mar 23
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 2 – Feb 16
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 6 – Apr 20
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 19 – Feb 2
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 13 – Apr 27
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 6 – Apr 20
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 6 – Apr 20
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 6 – Apr 20
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 21 – Oct 5
GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 2 – Dec 7
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 30) and first fall frost (Nov 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 08085 came on Mar 15 — 3 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 18).

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).

Soil in Swedesboro, NJ

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 08085 is Freehold — sandy loam, well drained.

TextureSandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH4.8strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter0.1%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately
Farmland classFarmland of local importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Freehold sandy loam, 10 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 08085; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Swedesboro, NJ

Summer high89 °Faverage high, July
Winter low27 °Faverage low, January
Hot days27days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights65nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days4,198base 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
Precipitation47.9 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 43 °F, low 27 °F 43°27° JanFebruary: average high 46 °F, low 28 °F 46°28° FebMarch: average high 53 °F, low 35 °F 53°35° MarApril: average high 66 °F, low 45 °F 66°45° AprMay: average high 75 °F, low 55 °F 75°55° MayJune: average high 84 °F, low 65 °F 84°65° JunJuly: average high 89 °F, low 70 °F 89°70° JulAugust: average high 87 °F, low 69 °F 87°69° AugSeptember: average high 80 °F, low 61 °F 80°61° SepOctober: average high 68 °F, low 50 °F 68°50° OctNovember: average high 57 °F, low 40 °F 57°40° NovDecember: average high 48 °F, low 32 °F 48°32° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″6″January: 3.36 in precipitation 3.4 JanFebruary: 3.09 in precipitation 3.1 FebMarch: 4.24 in precipitation 4.2 MarApril: 3.64 in precipitation 3.6 AprMay: 3.66 in precipitation 3.7 MayJune: 4.54 in precipitation 4.5 JunJuly: 4.43 in precipitation 4.4 JulAugust: 5.13 in precipitation 5.1 AugSeptember: 4.52 in precipitation 4.5 SepOctober: 3.96 in precipitation 4.0 OctNovember: 3.06 in precipitation 3.1 NovDecember: 4.25 in precipitation 4.3 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Marcus Hook, PA (7 mi away); precipitation: Woodstown 0.6 Nw, NJ (7 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.

080677b
Pedricktown, NJ · 4 mi
080148a
Bridgeport, NJ · 5 mi
080567b
Mickleton, NJ · 5 mi
080397b
Harrisonville, NJ · 6 mi
080277b
Gibbstown, NJ · 6 mi
080207b
Clarksboro, NJ · 6 mi
080627b
Mullica Hill, NJ · 6 mi
190137b
Chester, PA · 7 mi

New Jersey planting zones →

Questions about 08085

What planting zone is ZIP code 08085?

ZIP code 08085 (Swedesboro, 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 Swedesboro, NJ?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 08085 is March 30; after April 9 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Marcus Hook station.

When is the first frost in Swedesboro, NJ?

The median first fall frost near 08085 is November 16, giving a median frost-free growing season of 230 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 08085?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 2 – Feb 16 and set transplants outside around Apr 6 – Apr 20, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 08085 get?

About 47.9 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Woodstown 0.6 Nw station).

How hot do summers get in Swedesboro, NJ?

The average high peaks at 89 °F in July, with about 27 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 08085 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Freehold at the center of ZIP 08085: sandy loam, well drained, pH about 4.8 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Swedesboro, NJ in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 08085 came on Mar 15 in 2026, 3 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 18), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Swedesboro, NJ?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 08085 is 14 h 59 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.