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

Planting zone for 08731 — Forked River, NJ

ZIP code 08731 (Forked River, Ocean County) is in USDA zone 7a: the coldest winter night averages 0 to 5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 23 and the first fall frost October 20.

Where ZIP 08731 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 23

First frostOct 20

2012 zone7a

Same zone as on the 2012 map. 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 Forked River, 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 Forked River, NJ

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free

Last spring frostApril 23median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 12only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 20median — 10% chance by Oct 8

Growing season179 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 8 and returns around November 1.

From the NOAA station Toms River, NJ — 7 miles away, elevation 10 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 08731

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 12 – Mar 26

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 12 – Apr 2

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 12 – Feb 26

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 2 – Apr 16

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 26 – Apr 9

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 2 – Apr 16

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 26 – Apr 9

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 2 – Apr 16

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 26 – Mar 12

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 30 – May 14

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 12 – Feb 26

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 7 – May 21

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 30 – May 14

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 30 – May 14

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 30 – May 14

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 25 – Sep 8

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 6 – Nov 10

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 23) and first fall frost (Oct 20) 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 08731 came on Mar 19 — 4 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 23).

average
Mar 232026
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).

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 Forked River, NJ.

Soil in Forked River, NJ

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 08731 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 08731; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Forked River, NJ

Summer high86 °Faverage high, July

Winter low22 °Faverage low, January

Hot days24days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights116nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days3,176base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 00 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 20 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation51.2 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: Toms River, NJ (7 mi away); precipitation: Berkeley Twp 2.7 Sse, NJ (6 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

Lanoka Harbor, NJ · 7 mi

087227a

Beachwood, NJ · 7 mi

087577a

Toms River, NJ · 7 mi

080057a

Barnegat, NJ · 7 mi

087567b

Toms River, NJ · 7 mi

087597a

Manchester Township, NJ · 8 mi

New Jersey planting zones →

Questions about 08731

What planting zone is ZIP code 08731?

ZIP code 08731 (Forked River, 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 Forked River, NJ?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 08731 is April 23; after May 12 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Toms River station.

When is the first frost in Forked River, NJ?

The median first fall frost near 08731 is October 20, giving a median frost-free growing season of 179 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 08731?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 26 – Mar 12 and set transplants outside around Apr 30 – May 14, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 08731 get?

About 51.2 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Berkeley Twp 2.7 Sse station).

How hot do summers get in Forked River, NJ?

The average high peaks at 86 °F in July, with about 24 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 08731 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Downer at the center of ZIP 08731: loamy sand, well drained, pH about 6.3 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in Forked River, NJ in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 08731 came on Mar 19 in 2026, 4 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 23), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Forked River, NJ?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 08731 is 15 h 00 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.