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

Planting zone for 08242 — Rio Grande, NJ

ZIP code 08242 (Rio Grande, 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 08242 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 Rio Grande, 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 Rio Grande, 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 — 5 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 08242

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 08242 came on Mar 15 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Mar 15).

average
Mar 152026
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).

Soil in Rio Grande, NJ

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 08242 is Berryland — sand, very poorly drained.

TextureSanddrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

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

DrainageVery poorly drainedconsider raised beds

Organic matter3%moderate

Hydrologic groupA/Ddrains fast once dried out; wet otherwise

Farmland classFarmland of unique importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Berryland and Mullica soils, 0 to 2 percent slopes, occasionally 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 08242; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Rio Grande, 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 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

Precipitation45.7 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: Cape May 2 Nw, NJ (5 mi away); precipitation: Middle Twp 4.4 Sw, 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.

082198a

Green Creek, NJ · 2 mi

082527b

Whitesboro, NJ · 2 mi

Stone Harbor, NJ · 6 mi

082128a

Cape May Point, NJ · 7 mi

082107b

Cape May Court House, NJ · 8 mi

New Jersey planting zones →

Questions about 08242

What planting zone is ZIP code 08242?

ZIP code 08242 (Rio Grande, 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 Rio Grande, NJ?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 08242 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 Rio Grande, NJ?

The median first fall frost near 08242 is November 9, giving a median frost-free growing season of 222 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 08242?

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 08242 get?

About 45.7 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Middle Twp 4.4 Sw station).

How hot do summers get in Rio Grande, 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 08242 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Berryland at the center of ZIP 08242: sand, very poorly drained, pH about 4.3 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Rio Grande, NJ in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 08242 came on Mar 15 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 Rio Grande, NJ?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 08242 is 14 h 55 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 08242 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 08242 in zone 7b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.