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

Planting zone for 08316 — Dorchester, NJ

ZIP code 08316 (Dorchester, Cumberland County) is in USDA zone 7b: the coldest winter night averages 5 to 10 °F. The median last spring frost is April 24 and the first fall frost October 22.

Where ZIP 08316 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 24
First frostOct 22
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 Dorchester, 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 Dorchester, 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 08316

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 08316 came on Mar 15 — 4 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).

Soil in Dorchester, NJ

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 08316 is Aura — 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 matter1.6%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately
Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Aura 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 08316; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Dorchester, 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
Precipitation47.1 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: 3.38 in precipitation 3.4 JanFebruary: 3.05 in precipitation 3.0 FebMarch: 4.56 in precipitation 4.6 MarApril: 3.59 in precipitation 3.6 AprMay: 3.42 in precipitation 3.4 MayJune: 3.93 in precipitation 3.9 JunJuly: 4.29 in precipitation 4.3 JulAugust: 4.84 in precipitation 4.8 AugSeptember: 3.99 in precipitation 4.0 SepOctober: 4.14 in precipitation 4.1 OctNovember: 3.38 in precipitation 3.4 NovDecember: 4.54 in precipitation 4.5 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Belleplain Stn Forest, NJ (6 mi away); precipitation: Woodbine 0.8 Nnw, NJ (7 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.

083277b
Leesburg, NJ · 2 mi
083487a
Port Elizabeth, NJ · 3 mi
083297b
Mauricetown, NJ · 4 mi
083147b
Delmont, NJ · 4 mi
083247b
Heislerville, NJ · 5 mi
083497b
Port Norris, NJ · 7 mi
082707a
Woodbine, NJ · 7 mi
083327a
Millville, NJ · 8 mi

New Jersey planting zones →

Questions about 08316

What planting zone is ZIP code 08316?

ZIP code 08316 (Dorchester, 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 Dorchester, NJ?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 08316 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 Dorchester, NJ?

The median first fall frost near 08316 is October 22, giving a median frost-free growing season of 181 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 08316?

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 08316 get?

About 47.1 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Woodbine 0.8 Nnw station).

How hot do summers get in Dorchester, 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 08316 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Aura at the center of ZIP 08316: sandy loam, well drained, pH about 4.0 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Dorchester, NJ in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 08316 came on Mar 15 in 2026, 4 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 19), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Dorchester, NJ?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 08316 is 14 h 56 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 08316 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 08316 in zone 7a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.