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

Planting zone for 08317 — Dorothy, NJ

ZIP code 08317 (Dorothy, Atlantic 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 08317 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 24

First frostOct 22

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 Dorothy, 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 Dorothy, 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 12only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 22median — 10% chance by Oct 8

Growing season180 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 9 and returns around November 3.

From the NOAA station Estell Manor, NJ — within 1 mile, elevation 85 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 08317

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 08317 came on Mar 15 — 4 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 19).

average
Mar 192026
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 Dorothy, NJ.

Soil in Dorothy, NJ

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 08317 is Downer — loamy sand, well drained.

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

pH6.3slightly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter1.25%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast

Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Downer loamy sand, 0 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 08317; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Dorothy, NJ

Summer high87 °Faverage high, July

Winter low23 °Faverage low, January

Hot days26days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights117nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days3,608base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 57 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 23 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation50.6 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall22 inper year; 17 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: Estell Manor, NJ (within 1 mile); precipitation: Estell Manor, NJ (within 1 mile). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 7a.

083197a

Estell Manor, NJ · 2 mi

083407a

Milmay, NJ · 4 mi

083307a

Mays Landing, NJ · 6 mi

New Jersey planting zones →

Questions about 08317

What planting zone is ZIP code 08317?

ZIP code 08317 (Dorothy, 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 Dorothy, NJ?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 08317 is April 24; after May 12 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Estell Manor station.

When is the first frost in Dorothy, NJ?

The median first fall frost near 08317 is October 22, giving a median frost-free growing season of 180 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 08317?

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 08317 get?

About 50.6 inches of precipitation a year and 22 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Estell Manor station).

How hot do summers get in Dorothy, NJ?

The average high peaks at 87 °F in July, with about 26 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 08317 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Downer at the center of ZIP 08317: loamy sand, well drained, pH about 6.3 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in Dorothy, NJ in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 08317 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 Dorothy, NJ?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 08317 is 14 h 57 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 08317 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 08317 in zone 6b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.