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

Planting zone for 08809 — Clinton, NJ

ZIP code 08809 (Clinton, Hunterdon County) is in USDA zone 7a: the coldest winter night averages 0 to 5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 24 and the first fall frost October 21.

Where ZIP 08809 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 24

First frostOct 21

2012 zone6b

Was 6b 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 7a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Clinton, 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 Clinton, 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 11only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 21median — 10% chance by Oct 6

Growing season179 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 8 and returns around November 2.

From the NOAA station Flemington 5 Nnw, NJ — 6 miles away, elevation 266 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 08809

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 26 – Sep 9

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 7 – Nov 11

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 24) and first fall frost (Oct 21) 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 08809 came on Mar 31 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Apr 2).

average
Apr 22026
Mar 31

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 Clinton, NJ.

Soil in Clinton, NJ

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 08809 is Udorthents — loam, well drained.

TextureLoama good balance for most vegetables

pH5.6moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter2%moderate

Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Udorthents, refuse substratum, 0 to 8 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 08809; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Clinton, NJ

Summer high86 °Faverage high, July

Winter low21 °Faverage low, January

Hot days21days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights124nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days3,197base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 05 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 15 mindaylight on December 21

Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)

Precipitation50.2 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: Flemington 5 Nnw, NJ (6 mi away); precipitation: Clinton 1.6 Ene, NJ (2 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.

088017a

Annandale, NJ · 2 mi

088297a

High Bridge, NJ · 2 mi

088277a

Hampton, NJ · 3 mi

088266b

Glen Gardner, NJ · 5 mi

088677a

Pittstown, NJ · 5 mi

088687a

Quakertown, NJ · 6 mi

New Jersey planting zones →

Questions about 08809

What planting zone is ZIP code 08809?

ZIP code 08809 (Clinton, 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 Clinton, NJ?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 08809 is April 24; after May 11 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Flemington 5 Nnw station.

When is the first frost in Clinton, NJ?

The median first fall frost near 08809 is October 21, giving a median frost-free growing season of 179 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 08809?

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 08809 get?

About 50.2 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Clinton 1.6 Ene station).

How hot do summers get in Clinton, NJ?

The average high peaks at 86 °F in July, with about 21 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 08809 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Udorthents at the center of ZIP 08809: loam, well drained, pH about 5.6 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Clinton, NJ in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 08809 came on Mar 31 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Apr 2), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Clinton, NJ?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 08809 is 15 h 05 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 08809 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 08809 in zone 6b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.