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

Planting zone for 08250 — Tuckahoe, NJ

ZIP code 08250 (Tuckahoe, Cape May County) is in USDA zone 7a: the coldest winter night averages 0 to 5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 24 and the first fall frost October 22.

Where ZIP 08250 is

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 24
First frostOct 22
2012 zone7a

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 7a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Tuckahoe, 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 Tuckahoe, 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 — 6 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 08250

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 08250 came on Mar 13 — 6 days earlier than 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 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.

Trees 80

Shrubs 119

Wildflowers & perennials 201

Grasses 175

Vines 10

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 Tuckahoe, NJ.

Soil in Tuckahoe, NJ

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 08250 is Swainton — sandy loam, well drained.

TextureSandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH4.0strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter2%moderate
Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast
Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Swainton sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes.

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 08250; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Tuckahoe, 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 56 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 24 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation48.2 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 46 °F, low 25 °F 46°25° JanFebruary: average high 49 °F, low 26 °F 49°26° FebMarch: average high 55 °F, low 31 °F 55°31° MarApril: average high 67 °F, low 40 °F 67°40° AprMay: average high 76 °F, low 49 °F 76°49° MayJune: average high 84 °F, low 60 °F 84°60° JunJuly: average high 88 °F, low 66 °F 88°66° JulAugust: average high 86 °F, low 64 °F 86°64° AugSeptember: average high 80 °F, low 58 °F 80°58° SepOctober: average high 71 °F, low 44 °F 71°44° OctNovember: average high 60 °F, low 34 °F 60°34° NovDecember: average high 51 °F, low 28 °F 51°28° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 3.45 in precipitation 3.5 JanFebruary: 3.46 in precipitation 3.5 FebMarch: 4.48 in precipitation 4.5 MarApril: 3.74 in precipitation 3.7 AprMay: 3.56 in precipitation 3.6 MayJune: 4.15 in precipitation 4.2 JunJuly: 4.43 in precipitation 4.4 JulAugust: 4.54 in precipitation 4.5 AugSeptember: 3.98 in precipitation 4.0 SepOctober: 4.36 in precipitation 4.4 OctNovember: 3.48 in precipitation 3.5 NovDecember: 4.58 in precipitation 4.6 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Belleplain Stn Forest, NJ (6 mi away); precipitation: Woodbine 5.1 Ne, NJ (within 1 mile). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

New Jersey planting zones →

Questions about 08250

What planting zone is ZIP code 08250?

ZIP code 08250 (Tuckahoe, 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 Tuckahoe, NJ?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 08250 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 Tuckahoe, NJ?

The median first fall frost near 08250 is October 22, giving a median frost-free growing season of 181 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 08250?

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 08250 get?

About 48.2 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Woodbine 5.1 Ne station).

How hot do summers get in Tuckahoe, 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 08250 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Swainton at the center of ZIP 08250: sandy loam, well drained, pH about 4.0 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Tuckahoe, NJ in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 08250 came on Mar 13 in 2026, 6 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 19), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Tuckahoe, NJ?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 08250 is 14 h 56 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.