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

Planting zone for 08318 — Elmer, NJ

ZIP code 08318 (Elmer, Salem County) is in USDA zone 7b: the coldest winter night averages 5 to 10 °F. The median last spring frost is April 11 and the first fall frost November 3.

Where ZIP 08318 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 11
First frostNov 3
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 Elmer, 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 Elmer, NJ

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 11median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 27only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostNovember 3median — 10% chance by Oct 18
Growing season206 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 30 and returns around November 14.

From the NOAA station Woodstown Pittsgrov 4e, NJ — within 1 mile, elevation 98 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 08318

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Feb 28 – Mar 14
SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 28 – Mar 21
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 31 – Feb 14
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 21 – Apr 4
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 14 – Mar 28
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 21 – Apr 4
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 14 – Mar 28
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 21 – Apr 4
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 14 – Feb 28
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 18 – May 2
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 31 – Feb 14
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 25 – May 9
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 18 – May 2
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 18 – May 2
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 18 – May 2
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 8 – Sep 22
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 20 – Nov 24
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 11) and first fall frost (Nov 3) 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 08318 came on Mar 15 — 3 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 18).

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 7b in New Jersey

605 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in New Jersey, and rated by the USDA to survive 5 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 7b. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

Trees 81

American basswood100 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican beech80 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −44 °FAmerican chestnut115 ft · blooms early summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican elm120 ft · blooms early spring · medium shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican sycamore100 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −34 °Farborvitae50 ft · blooms mid spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °F

Shrubs 119

alderleaf buckthorn3 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −33 °FAllegheny serviceberry35 ft · blooms early spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Falternateleaf dogwood25 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −47 °FAmerican black currant3 ft · blooms early spring · to −46 °FAmerican hazelnut10 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican holly40 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −20 °F

Wildflowers & perennials 204

alkali buttercup1 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican bur-reed3 ft · blooms indeterminate · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican eelgrass1 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican lotus3 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −36 °FAmerican pokeweed7 ft · blooms mid summer · low shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican speedwell0.8 ft · blooms mid summer · low shade tolerance · to −38 °F

Grasses 176

American beachgrass2.5 ft · blooms spring · high shade tolerance · to −28 °FAmerican cupscale3 ft · blooms early summer · high shade tolerance · to −18 °Farctic brome3 ft · blooms early summer · low shade tolerance · to −33 °FAtlantic mannagrass3 ft · blooms summer · low shade tolerance · to −8 °Fautumn bluegrass1.5 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −8 °Fawlfruit sedge4 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °F

Vines 10

American bittersweet15 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican wisteria50 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −3 °Fcatbird grape30 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −13 °Fdevil's darning needles15 ft · blooms mid summer · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °Ffrost grape83 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −23 °Friverbank grape45 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °F

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 Elmer, NJ.

Soil in Elmer, NJ

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 08318 is Aura — gravelly sandy loam, well drained.

TextureGravelly sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH4.3strongly 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 gravelly sandy loam, 2 to 5 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 08318; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Elmer, NJ

Summer high89 °Faverage high, July
Winter low25 °Faverage low, January
Hot days35days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights104nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days3,859base 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
Precipitation46.6 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall13 inper year

Average high and low, by month

10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 43 °F, low 25 °F 43°25° JanFebruary: average high 47 °F, low 26 °F 47°26° FebMarch: average high 55 °F, low 33 °F 55°33° MarApril: average high 67 °F, low 42 °F 67°42° AprMay: average high 76 °F, low 51 °F 76°51° MayJune: average high 84 °F, low 61 °F 84°61° JunJuly: average high 89 °F, low 66 °F 89°66° JulAugust: average high 86 °F, low 64 °F 86°64° AugSeptember: average high 80 °F, low 58 °F 80°58° SepOctober: average high 69 °F, low 47 °F 69°47° OctNovember: average high 57 °F, low 37 °F 57°37° NovDecember: average high 48 °F, low 30 °F 48°30° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″3″4″5″6″January: 3.15 in precipitation, 5 in snowfall 3.1❄5 JanFebruary: 3.06 in precipitation, 5 in snowfall 3.1❄5 FebMarch: 3.89 in precipitation, 1.4 in snowfall 3.9❄1 MarApril: 3.21 in precipitation, 0.2 in snowfall 3.2 AprMay: 3.23 in precipitation 3.2 MayJune: 4.48 in precipitation 4.5 JunJuly: 5.11 in precipitation 5.1 JulAugust: 4.61 in precipitation 4.6 AugSeptember: 4.21 in precipitation 4.2 SepOctober: 3.92 in precipitation 3.9 OctNovember: 3.35 in precipitation, 0.1 in snowfall 3.4 NovDecember: 4.39 in precipitation, 1.6 in snowfall 4.4❄2 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Woodstown Pittsgrov 4e, NJ (within 1 mile); precipitation: Woodstown Pittsgrov 4e, NJ (within 1 mile). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 7b.

083137b
Deerfield Street, NJ · 3 mi
083437b
Monroeville, NJ · 5 mi
083527b
Rosenhayn, NJ · 6 mi
083477b
Norma, NJ · 6 mi
083287b
Malaga, NJ · 7 mi
083227b
Franklinville, NJ · 8 mi
083127b
Clayton, NJ · 9 mi
083537b
Shiloh, NJ · 9 mi

New Jersey planting zones →

Questions about 08318

What planting zone is ZIP code 08318?

ZIP code 08318 (Elmer, 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 Elmer, NJ?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 08318 is April 11; after April 27 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Woodstown Pittsgrov 4e station.

When is the first frost in Elmer, NJ?

The median first fall frost near 08318 is November 3, giving a median frost-free growing season of 206 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 08318?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 14 – Feb 28 and set transplants outside around Apr 18 – May 2, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 08318 get?

About 46.6 inches of precipitation a year and 13 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Woodstown Pittsgrov 4e station).

How hot do summers get in Elmer, NJ?

The average high peaks at 89 °F in July, with about 35 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 08318 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Aura at the center of ZIP 08318: gravelly sandy loam, well drained, pH about 4.3 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Elmer, NJ in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 08318 came on Mar 15 in 2026, 3 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 18), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Elmer, NJ?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 08318 is 14 h 58 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 08318 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 08318 in zone 7a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.