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

Planting zone for 08205 — Absecon, NJ

ZIP code 08205 (Absecon, Atlantic County) is in USDA zone 7b: the coldest winter night averages 5 to 10 °F. The median last spring frost is April 18 and the first fall frost October 29.

Where ZIP 08205 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 18
First frostOct 29
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 Absecon, 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 Absecon, NJ

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 18median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 5only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 29median — 10% chance by Oct 13
Growing season190 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 5 and returns around November 8.

From the NOAA station Atlantic City Intl Airport, NJ — 6 miles away, elevation 59 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 08205

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 7 – Mar 21
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 7 – Mar 28
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 7 – Feb 21
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 28 – Apr 11
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 21 – Apr 4
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 28 – Apr 11
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 21 – Apr 4
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 28 – Apr 11
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 21 – Mar 7
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 25 – May 9
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 7 – Feb 21
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 2 – May 16
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 25 – May 9
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 25 – May 9
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 25 – May 9
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 3 – Sep 17
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 15 – Nov 19
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 18) and first fall frost (Oct 29) 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 08205 came on Mar 18 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Mar 19).

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.

Trees 81

American basswood100 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican beech80 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −44 °FAmerican chestnut115 ft · blooms early summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican elm120 ft · blooms early spring · medium shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican sycamore100 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −34 °Farborvitae50 ft · blooms mid spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °F

Shrubs 119

alderleaf buckthorn3 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −33 °FAllegheny serviceberry35 ft · blooms early spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Falternateleaf dogwood25 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −47 °FAmerican black currant3 ft · blooms early spring · to −46 °FAmerican hazelnut10 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican holly40 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −20 °F

Wildflowers & perennials 204

alkali buttercup1 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican bur-reed3 ft · blooms indeterminate · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican eelgrass1 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican lotus3 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −36 °FAmerican pokeweed7 ft · blooms mid summer · low shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican speedwell0.8 ft · blooms mid summer · low shade tolerance · to −38 °F

Grasses 176

American beachgrass2.5 ft · blooms spring · high shade tolerance · to −28 °FAmerican cupscale3 ft · blooms early summer · high shade tolerance · to −18 °Farctic brome3 ft · blooms early summer · low shade tolerance · to −33 °FAtlantic mannagrass3 ft · blooms summer · low shade tolerance · to −8 °Fautumn bluegrass1.5 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −8 °Fawlfruit sedge4 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °F

Vines 10

American bittersweet15 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican wisteria50 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −3 °Fcatbird grape30 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −13 °Fdevil's darning needles15 ft · blooms mid summer · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °Ffrost grape83 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −23 °Friverbank grape45 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °F

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 Absecon, NJ.

Soil in Absecon, NJ

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 08205 is Sassafras — sandy loam, well drained.

TextureSandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH6.3slightly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter1.75%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately
Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Sassafras sandy loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes, Northern Tidewater Area.

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 08205; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Absecon, NJ

Summer high87 °Faverage high, July
Winter low25 °Faverage low, January
Hot days23days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights101nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days3,695base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 58 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 23 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation48.3 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 43 °F, low 25 °F 43°25° JanFebruary: average high 46 °F, low 26 °F 46°26° FebMarch: average high 53 °F, low 33 °F 53°33° MarApril: average high 63 °F, low 42 °F 63°42° AprMay: average high 73 °F, low 51 °F 73°51° MayJune: average high 82 °F, low 61 °F 82°61° JunJuly: average high 87 °F, low 67 °F 87°67° JulAugust: average high 85 °F, low 65 °F 85°65° AugSeptember: average high 79 °F, low 58 °F 79°58° SepOctober: average high 68 °F, low 46 °F 68°46° OctNovember: average high 57 °F, low 37 °F 57°37° NovDecember: average high 48 °F, low 29 °F 48°29° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″6″January: 3.49 in precipitation 3.5 JanFebruary: 3.14 in precipitation 3.1 FebMarch: 4.25 in precipitation 4.3 MarApril: 3.53 in precipitation 3.5 AprMay: 3.42 in precipitation 3.4 MayJune: 4.32 in precipitation 4.3 JunJuly: 5.52 in precipitation 5.5 JulAugust: 4.33 in precipitation 4.3 AugSeptember: 3.95 in precipitation 4.0 SepOctober: 4.28 in precipitation 4.3 OctNovember: 3.49 in precipitation 3.5 NovDecember: 4.61 in precipitation 4.6 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Atlantic City Intl Airport, NJ (6 mi away); precipitation: Galloway Twp 0.9 E, NJ (within 1 mile). 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.

082317b
Oceanville, NJ · <1 mi
082207b
Leeds Point, NJ · 1 mi
082417b
Port Republic, NJ · 4 mi
082407a
Pomona, NJ · 4 mi
082017b
Absecon, NJ · 5 mi
082038a
Brigantine, NJ · 5 mi
084018a
Atlantic City, NJ · 7 mi
082327b
Pleasantville, NJ · 7 mi

All 2 ZIP codes in Absecon → · New Jersey planting zones →

Questions about 08205

What planting zone is ZIP code 08205?

ZIP code 08205 (Absecon, 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 Absecon, NJ?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 08205 is April 18; after May 5 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Atlantic City Intl Airport station.

When is the first frost in Absecon, NJ?

The median first fall frost near 08205 is October 29, giving a median frost-free growing season of 190 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 08205?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 21 – Mar 7 and set transplants outside around Apr 25 – May 9, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 08205 get?

About 48.3 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Galloway Twp 0.9 E station).

How hot do summers get in Absecon, NJ?

The average high peaks at 87 °F in July, with about 23 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 08205 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Sassafras at the center of ZIP 08205: sandy loam, well drained, pH about 6.3 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in Absecon, NJ in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 08205 came on Mar 18 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Mar 19), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Absecon, NJ?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 08205 is 14 h 58 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 08205 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 08205 in zone 7a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.