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

Planting zone for 08829 — High Bridge, NJ

ZIP code 08829 (High Bridge, 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 08829 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 High Bridge, 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 High Bridge, 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 — 7 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 08829

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 08829 came on Apr 1 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Apr 2).

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.

Trees 80

American basswood100 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican beech80 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −44 °FAmerican chestnut115 ft · blooms early summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican elm120 ft · blooms early spring · medium shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican sycamore100 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −34 °Farborvitae50 ft · blooms mid spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °F

Shrubs 119

alderleaf buckthorn3 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −33 °FAllegheny serviceberry35 ft · blooms early spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Falternateleaf dogwood25 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −47 °FAmerican black currant3 ft · blooms early spring · to −46 °FAmerican hazelnut10 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican holly40 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −20 °F

Wildflowers & perennials 201

alkali buttercup1 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican bur-reed3 ft · blooms indeterminate · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican eelgrass1 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican lotus3 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −36 °FAmerican pokeweed7 ft · blooms mid summer · low shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican speedwell0.8 ft · blooms mid summer · low shade tolerance · to −38 °F

Grasses 175

American beachgrass2.5 ft · blooms spring · high shade tolerance · to −28 °FAmerican cupscale3 ft · blooms early summer · high shade tolerance · to −18 °Farctic brome3 ft · blooms early summer · low shade tolerance · to −33 °FAtlantic mannagrass3 ft · blooms summer · low shade tolerance · to −8 °Fautumn bluegrass1.5 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −8 °Fawlfruit sedge4 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °F

Vines 10

American bittersweet15 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican wisteria50 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −3 °Fcatbird grape30 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −13 °Fdevil's darning needles15 ft · blooms mid summer · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °Ffrost grape83 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −23 °Friverbank grape45 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °F

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 High Bridge, NJ.

Soil in High Bridge, NJ

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 08829 is Gladstone — gravelly loam, well drained.

TextureGravelly loama good balance for most vegetables
pH6.3slightly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter3%moderate
Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Gladstone gravelly loam, 15 to 25 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 08829; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in High Bridge, 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

10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 38 °F, low 21 °F 38°21° JanFebruary: average high 41 °F, low 22 °F 41°22° FebMarch: average high 50 °F, low 29 °F 50°29° MarApril: average high 63 °F, low 39 °F 63°39° AprMay: average high 72 °F, low 49 °F 72°49° MayJune: average high 81 °F, low 58 °F 81°58° JunJuly: average high 86 °F, low 63 °F 86°63° JulAugust: average high 84 °F, low 61 °F 84°61° AugSeptember: average high 77 °F, low 54 °F 77°54° SepOctober: average high 65 °F, low 42 °F 65°42° OctNovember: average high 53 °F, low 33 °F 53°33° NovDecember: average high 43 °F, low 26 °F 43°26° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″6″January: 3.71 in precipitation 3.7 JanFebruary: 2.86 in precipitation 2.9 FebMarch: 4.05 in precipitation 4.0 MarApril: 3.92 in precipitation 3.9 AprMay: 4.14 in precipitation 4.1 MayJune: 4.69 in precipitation 4.7 JunJuly: 5.23 in precipitation 5.2 JulAugust: 4.90 in precipitation 4.9 AugSeptember: 4.45 in precipitation 4.5 SepOctober: 4.44 in precipitation 4.4 OctNovember: 3.34 in precipitation 3.3 NovDecember: 4.47 in precipitation 4.5 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Flemington 5 Nnw, NJ (7 mi away); precipitation: Clinton 1.6 Ene, NJ (2 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

088097a
Clinton, NJ · 2 mi
088017a
Annandale, NJ · 3 mi
088266b
Glen Gardner, NJ · 3 mi
088277a
Hampton, NJ · 4 mi
088337a
Lebanon, NJ · 4 mi
078316b
Changewater, NJ · 6 mi
078306b
Califon, NJ · 6 mi
088027a
Asbury, NJ · 7 mi

New Jersey planting zones →

Questions about 08829

What planting zone is ZIP code 08829?

ZIP code 08829 (High Bridge, 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 High Bridge, NJ?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 08829 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 High Bridge, NJ?

The median first fall frost near 08829 is October 21, giving a median frost-free growing season of 179 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 08829?

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 08829 get?

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

How hot do summers get in High Bridge, 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 08829 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Gladstone at the center of ZIP 08829: gravelly loam, well drained, pH about 6.3 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in High Bridge, NJ in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 08829 came on Apr 1 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 High Bridge, NJ?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 08829 is 15 h 05 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 08829 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 08829 in zone 6b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.