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

Planting zone for 08742 — Point Pleasant Beach, NJ

ZIP code 08742 (Point Pleasant Beach, Ocean County) is in USDA zone 7b: the coldest winter night averages 5 to 10 °F. The median last spring frost is April 23 and the first fall frost October 20.

Where ZIP 08742 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 23

First frostOct 20

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 Point Pleasant Beach, 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 Point Pleasant Beach, 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 — 12 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 08742

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 08742 came on Mar 24 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Mar 22).

average
Mar 222026
Mar 24

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).

Soil in Point Pleasant Beach, NJ

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 08742 is Lakehurst — slightly decomposed plant material, moderately well drained.

TextureSlightly decomposed plant materialtop layer

pH3.6strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageModerately well drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter85%high

Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast

Farmland classFarmland of local importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Lakehurst sand, 0 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 08742; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Point Pleasant Beach, 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 01 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)

Precipitation49.2 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 (12 mi away); precipitation: Point Pleasant Beach 0.5 Sw, NJ (within 1 mile). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 7b.

Mantoloking, NJ · 4 mi

087237b

Brick, NJ · 4 mi

077627b

Spring Lake, NJ · 5 mi

087397b

Normandy Beach, NJ · 5 mi

New Jersey planting zones →

Questions about 08742

What planting zone is ZIP code 08742?

ZIP code 08742 (Point Pleasant Beach, 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 Point Pleasant Beach, NJ?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 08742 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 Point Pleasant Beach, NJ?

The median first fall frost near 08742 is October 20, giving a median frost-free growing season of 179 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 08742?

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 08742 get?

About 49.2 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Point Pleasant Beach 0.5 Sw station).

How hot do summers get in Point Pleasant Beach, 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 08742 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Lakehurst at the center of ZIP 08742: slightly decomposed plant material, moderately well drained, pH about 3.6 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Point Pleasant Beach, NJ in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 08742 came on Mar 24 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Mar 22), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Point Pleasant Beach, NJ?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 08742 is 15 h 01 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 08742 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 08742 in zone 7a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.