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

Planting zone for 08212 — Cape May Point, NJ

ZIP code 08212 (Cape May Point, Cape May County) is in USDA zone 8a: the coldest winter night averages 10 to 15 °F. The median last spring frost is April 1 and the first fall frost November 9.

Where ZIP 08212 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.

Zone8a10 to 15 °F

Coldest night−12.2 to −9.4 °C

Last frostApr 1

First frostNov 9

2012 zone7b

Was 7b 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 8a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Cape May Point, 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 Cape May Point, 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 9median — 10% chance by Oct 26

Growing season222 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 19 and returns around November 23.

From the NOAA station Cape May 2 Nw, NJ — 2 miles away, elevation 20 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 08212

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 14 – Sep 28

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 26 – Nov 30

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 1) and first fall frost (Nov 9) 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 08212 came on Mar 14 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Mar 15).

average
Mar 152026
Mar 14

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 8a in New Jersey

613 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in New Jersey, and rated by the USDA to survive 10 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 8a. 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 Cape May Point, NJ.

Soil in Cape May Point, NJ

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 08212 is Psamments — coarse sand, moderately well drained. Much of the area is built over (urban land); this is the natural soil underneath.

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

pH4.3strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageModerately well drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter0%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Urban land-Psamments, wet substratum complex, 0 to 2 percent slopes, rarely 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 08212; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Cape May Point, NJ

Summer high86 °Faverage high, July

Winter low29 °Faverage low, January

Hot days15days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights72nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days3,833base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 54 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 26 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation43.8 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall15 inper year; 10 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Cape May 2 Nw, NJ (2 mi away); precipitation: Cape May 2 Nw, NJ (2 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.

Rio Grande, NJ · 7 mi

082608a

Wildwood, NJ · 8 mi

082198a

Green Creek, NJ · 8 mi

082527b

Whitesboro, NJ · 9 mi

082477b

Stone Harbor, NJ · 12 mi

082107b

Cape May Court House, NJ · 14 mi

New Jersey planting zones →

Questions about 08212

What planting zone is ZIP code 08212?

ZIP code 08212 (Cape May Point, NJ) is in USDA hardiness zone 8a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 10 to 15 °F (−12.2 to −9.4 °C).

When is the last frost in Cape May Point, NJ?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 08212 is April 1; after April 15 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Cape May 2 Nw station.

When is the first frost in Cape May Point, NJ?

The median first fall frost near 08212 is November 9, giving a median frost-free growing season of 222 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 08212?

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 08212 get?

About 43.8 inches of precipitation a year and 15 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Cape May 2 Nw station).

How hot do summers get in Cape May Point, NJ?

The average high peaks at 86 °F in July, with about 15 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 08212 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Psamments at the center of ZIP 08212: coarse sand, moderately well drained, pH about 4.3 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Cape May Point, NJ in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 08212 came on Mar 14 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Mar 15), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Cape May Point, NJ?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 08212 is 14 h 54 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 08212 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 08212 in zone 7b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.