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

Planting zone for 08215 — Egg Harbor City, NJ

ZIP code 08215 (Egg Harbor City, Atlantic County) is in USDA zone 7a: the coldest winter night averages 0 to 5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 18 and the first fall frost October 29.

Where ZIP 08215 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.

Zone7a0 to 5 °F

Coldest night−17.8 to −15 °C

Last frostApr 18

First frostOct 29

2012 zone6b

Was 6b 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 7a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Egg Harbor City, 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 Egg Harbor City, 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 — 10 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 08215

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 08215 came on Mar 15 — 5 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 20).

average
Mar 202026
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 7a in New Jersey

600 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in New Jersey, and rated by the USDA to survive 0 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 7a. 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 Egg Harbor City, NJ.

Soil in Egg Harbor City, NJ

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 08215 is Manahawkin — muck, very poorly drained.

TextureMucktop layer

pH5.2strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageVery poorly drainedconsider raised beds

Organic matter68%high

Hydrologic groupA/Ddrains fast once dried out; wet otherwise

Farmland classFarmland of unique importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Manahawkin muck, 0 to 2 percent slopes, frequently flooded, 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 08215; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Egg Harbor City, 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 22 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

Precipitation by month inches

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Atlantic City Intl Airport, NJ (10 mi away); precipitation: Galloway Twp 0.9 E, NJ (9 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

082137a

Cologne, NJ · 6 mi

082247a

New Gretna, NJ · 6 mi

082417b

Port Republic, NJ · 7 mi

Oceanville, NJ · 10 mi

082207b

Leeds Point, NJ · 11 mi

New Jersey planting zones →

Questions about 08215

What planting zone is ZIP code 08215?

ZIP code 08215 (Egg Harbor City, NJ) is in USDA hardiness zone 7a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 0 to 5 °F (−17.8 to −15 °C).

When is the last frost in Egg Harbor City, NJ?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 08215 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 Egg Harbor City, NJ?

The median first fall frost near 08215 is October 29, giving a median frost-free growing season of 190 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 08215?

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 08215 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 Egg Harbor City, 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 08215 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Manahawkin at the center of ZIP 08215: muck, very poorly drained, pH about 5.2 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Egg Harbor City, NJ in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 08215 came on Mar 15 in 2026, 5 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 20), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Egg Harbor City, NJ?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 08215 is 14 h 58 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 08215 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 08215 in zone 6b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.