Likely zones
New Jersey spans roughly USDA zones 6b to 7b, with coastal and urban locations often milder.
New Jersey planting calendar
New Jersey raised bed planting calendar
Most New Jersey gardens sit around USDA zones 6b to 7b, so spring and fall timing matter. Use this page as a practical starting point, then confirm your local frost dates and seed packet guidance.
Spring planting
Cool crops such as lettuce, spinach, peas, radishes, carrots, beets, kale, cilantro, and onions can usually start before warm-season crops. Tomatoes, basil, cucumbers, peppers, beans, and zucchini should wait until nights are reliably mild.
Summer succession
Keep raised beds productive by replacing finished spring crops with beans, basil, cucumbers, carrots, or another round of greens where shade and heat allow.
Fall crops
Late summer sowings of lettuce, spinach, radishes, cilantro, kale, carrots, peas, and beets can use cooling weather for a second harvest window.
Best first check
Use the monthly sowing calendar, then adjust dates for your town and microclimate.
Raised bed advantage
Raised beds often warm and drain earlier than in-ground soil, but they can also dry faster.
Frequently asked questions
What USDA zone is New Jersey for vegetables?
Most of New Jersey falls around USDA zones 6b to 7b, but local elevation, coast exposure, and urban heat can shift planting dates.
When can I plant tomatoes in New Jersey raised beds?
Use local frost dates and wait until nights are reliably mild; for many gardeners this is around May, but exact timing varies by town and season.
Sources and local checks
Use these pages as planning starting points, then confirm exact dates with local frost-date and extension guidance.
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map
- Rutgers Cooperative Extension seasonal vegetable guidance
Next step
Check the monthly calendar, then use the calculator to avoid overcrowding warm-season crops. Open the calculator with these defaults, or check the monthly sowing calendar before you plant.