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

Planting zone for 08518 — Florence, NJ

ZIP code 08518 (Florence, Burlington County) is in USDA zone 7b: the coldest winter night averages 5 to 10 °F. The median last spring frost is April 15 and the first fall frost October 29.

Where ZIP 08518 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 15
First frostOct 29
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 Florence, 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 Florence, NJ

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 15median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 29only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 29median — 10% chance by Oct 14
Growing season196 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 1 and returns around November 7.

From the NOAA station Philadelphia/Mt Holly WFO, NJ — 7 miles away, elevation 62 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 08518

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 4 – Mar 18
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 4 – Mar 25
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 4 – Feb 18
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 25 – Apr 8
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 18 – Apr 1
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 25 – Apr 8
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 18 – Apr 1
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 25 – Apr 8
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 18 – Mar 4
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 22 – May 6
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 4 – Feb 18
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 29 – May 13
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 22 – May 6
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 22 – May 6
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 22 – May 6
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 3 – Sep 17
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 15 – Nov 19
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 15) and first fall frost (Oct 29) 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 08518 came on Mar 15 — 7 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 22).

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

Shrubs 119

Wildflowers & perennials 204

Grasses 176

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 Florence, NJ.

Soil in Florence, NJ

The center of ZIP 08518 is mapped as Urban land, sandy, 0 to 8 percent slopes: built-over ground without natural soil data. Garden soil here is usually imported or disturbed — test before you plant.

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 08518; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Florence, NJ

Summer high85 °Faverage high, July
Winter low23 °Faverage low, January
Hot days22days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights111nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days3,390base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 02 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 19 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation46.6 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 39 °F, low 23 °F 39°23° JanFebruary: average high 42 °F, low 23 °F 42°23° FebMarch: average high 50 °F, low 31 °F 50°31° MarApril: average high 63 °F, low 41 °F 63°41° AprMay: average high 72 °F, low 51 °F 72°51° MayJune: average high 81 °F, low 61 °F 81°61° JunJuly: average high 85 °F, low 66 °F 85°66° JulAugust: average high 83 °F, low 64 °F 83°64° AugSeptember: average high 76 °F, low 57 °F 76°57° SepOctober: average high 64 °F, low 45 °F 64°45° OctNovember: average high 54 °F, low 34 °F 54°34° NovDecember: average high 44 °F, low 28 °F 44°28° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 3.32 in precipitation 3.3 JanFebruary: 2.64 in precipitation 2.6 FebMarch: 4.17 in precipitation 4.2 MarApril: 3.69 in precipitation 3.7 AprMay: 3.79 in precipitation 3.8 MayJune: 4.25 in precipitation 4.3 JunJuly: 4.89 in precipitation 4.9 JulAugust: 4.45 in precipitation 4.5 AugSeptember: 3.91 in precipitation 3.9 SepOctober: 3.93 in precipitation 3.9 OctNovember: 3.19 in precipitation 3.2 NovDecember: 4.41 in precipitation 4.4 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Philadelphia/Mt Holly WFO, NJ (7 mi away); precipitation: Burlington 1.7 E, NJ (2 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

4 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 08518

What planting zone is ZIP code 08518?

ZIP code 08518 (Florence, 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 Florence, NJ?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 08518 is April 15; after April 29 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Philadelphia/Mt Holly WFO station.

When is the first frost in Florence, NJ?

The median first fall frost near 08518 is October 29, giving a median frost-free growing season of 196 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 08518?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 18 – Mar 4 and set transplants outside around Apr 22 – May 6, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 08518 get?

About 46.6 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Burlington 1.7 E station).

How hot do summers get in Florence, NJ?

The average high peaks at 85 °F in July, with about 22 days a year at 90 °F or more.

Did spring come early in Florence, NJ in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 08518 came on Mar 15 in 2026, 7 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 22), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Florence, NJ?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 08518 is 15 h 02 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 08518 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 08518 in zone 7a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.