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

Planting zone for 08202 — Avalon, NJ

ZIP code 08202 (Avalon, Cape May County) is in USDA zone 7b: the coldest winter night averages 5 to 10 °F. The median last spring frost is April 24 and the first fall frost October 22.

Where ZIP 08202 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 24

First frostOct 22

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 Avalon, 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 Avalon, 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 18only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 22median — 10% chance by Oct 8

Growing season181 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 6 and returns around November 4.

From the NOAA station Belleplain Stn Forest, NJ — 12 miles away, elevation 30 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 08202

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 27 – Sep 10

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 8 – Nov 12

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 24) and first fall frost (Oct 22) 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 08202 came on Mar 15 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Mar 17).

average
Mar 172026
Mar 15

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 Avalon, NJ.

Soil in Avalon, NJ

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 08202 is Appoquinimink — mucky silt loam, very poorly drained.

TextureMucky silt loama good balance for most vegetables

pH6.5neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageVery poorly drainedconsider raised beds

Organic matter10.5%high

Hydrologic groupB/Dmoderate when drained; wet otherwise

Farmland classFarmland of unique importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Appoquinimink-Transquaking-Mispillion complex, 0 to 1 percent slopes, very frequently flooded.

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 08202; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Avalon, NJ

Summer high88 °Faverage high, July

Winter low25 °Faverage low, January

Hot days28days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights118nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days3,772base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 55 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 25 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation45.1 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: Belleplain Stn Forest, NJ (12 mi away); precipitation: Middle Twp 3.3 Nnw, NJ (6 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 7b.

082477b

Stone Harbor, NJ · 4 mi

082437b

Sea Isle City, NJ · 4 mi

082107b

Cape May Court House, NJ · 5 mi

082467b

South Seaville, NJ · 6 mi

082187b

Goshen, NJ · 7 mi

082457b

South Dennis, NJ · 7 mi

082307b

Ocean View, NJ · 7 mi

082527b

Whitesboro, NJ · 8 mi

New Jersey planting zones →

Questions about 08202

What planting zone is ZIP code 08202?

ZIP code 08202 (Avalon, 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 Avalon, NJ?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 08202 is April 24; after May 18 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Belleplain Stn Forest station.

When is the first frost in Avalon, NJ?

The median first fall frost near 08202 is October 22, giving a median frost-free growing season of 181 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 08202?

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 08202 get?

About 45.1 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Middle Twp 3.3 Nnw station).

How hot do summers get in Avalon, NJ?

The average high peaks at 88 °F in July, with about 28 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 08202 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Appoquinimink at the center of ZIP 08202: mucky silt loam, very poorly drained, pH about 6.5 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Avalon, NJ in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 08202 came on Mar 15 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Mar 17), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Avalon, NJ?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 08202 is 14 h 55 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.