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

Planting zone for 08321 — Fortescue, NJ

ZIP code 08321 (Fortescue, 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 23.

Where ZIP 08321 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 23

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 Fortescue, 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 Fortescue, 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 10only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 23median — 10% chance by Oct 10

Growing season181 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 10 and returns around November 2.

From the NOAA station Millville Municipal Airport, NJ — 11 miles away, elevation 69 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 08321

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 28 – Sep 11

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 9 – Nov 13

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 24) and first fall frost (Oct 23) 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 08321 came on Mar 20 — 4 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 16).

average
Mar 162026
Mar 20

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.

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 Fortescue, NJ.

Soil in Fortescue, NJ

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 08321 is Mispillion — mucky peat, very poorly drained.

TextureMucky peattop layer

pH5.8moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageVery poorly drainedconsider raised beds

Organic matter85%high

Hydrologic groupC/Dslow when drained; wet otherwise

Farmland classFarmland of unique importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Mispillion-Transquaking-Appoquinimink complex, 0 to 1 percent slopes, very frequently 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 08321; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Fortescue, NJ

Summer high86 °Faverage high, July

Winter low24 °Faverage low, January

Hot days22days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights108nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days3,550base 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

Precipitation43.4 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: Millville Municipal Airport, NJ (11 mi away); precipitation: Millville Municipal Airport, NJ (11 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

083157b

Dividing Creek, NJ · 4 mi

083457b

Newport, NJ · 4 mi

083497b

Port Norris, NJ · 5 mi

083247b

Heislerville, NJ · 7 mi

083117b

Cedarville, NJ · 8 mi

083297b

Mauricetown, NJ · 9 mi

083277b

Leesburg, NJ · 11 mi

083487a

Port Elizabeth, NJ · 11 mi

New Jersey planting zones →

Questions about 08321

What planting zone is ZIP code 08321?

ZIP code 08321 (Fortescue, 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 Fortescue, NJ?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 08321 is April 24; after May 10 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Millville Municipal Airport station.

When is the first frost in Fortescue, NJ?

The median first fall frost near 08321 is October 23, giving a median frost-free growing season of 181 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 08321?

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 08321 get?

About 43.4 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Millville Municipal Airport station).

How hot do summers get in Fortescue, NJ?

The average high peaks at 86 °F in July, with about 22 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 08321 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Mispillion at the center of ZIP 08321: mucky peat, very poorly drained, pH about 5.8 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Fortescue, NJ in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 08321 came on Mar 20 in 2026, 4 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 16), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Fortescue, NJ?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 08321 is 14 h 56 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 08321 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 08321 in zone 7a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.