| Key Takeaways |
|---|
| • The USDA updated its zone map in 2023: Older seed packets and plant tags may list a slightly different number than you'll find today. • Climate zone covers more than winter cold: It measures heat, humidity, rainfall, and season length, which you use to fine-tune after checking your hardiness zone. • South Jersey's last spring frost passes in mid-April: The first fall frost usually arrives in late October or early November, setting your planting calendar. |
Wondering what zone is South Jersey in? South Jersey is in U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Plant Hardiness Zone 7, with most of the region in zone 7a and warmer coastal and southern pockets reaching zone 7b.
Your hardiness zone tells you which plants and grasses can survive the local winters, so it is the first thing to check before you buy seeds, shrubs, or trees. This guide breaks down where zone 7a and 7b fall, what grows well here, and when to plant.
To keep your zone 7 yard looking its best, Lawn Love connects you with local pros who handle everything from mowing service to seeding for you.
What zone is South Jersey in?
Camden, Gloucester, and Burlington counties sit in 7a, while Cape May, Atlantic City, and other coastal areas run slightly warmer at 7b.
Note that the USDA updated its zone map in 2023, so some older seed packets and plant tags may list a slightly different number than you’ll find today.
South Jersey generally covers Camden, Gloucester, Burlington, Atlantic, Cape May, Cumberland, and Salem counties. North Jersey trends cooler and sits in zones 6a and 6b.
Read more: New Jersey Planting Zones
What your hardiness zone means
Your hardiness zone is based on the average lowest winter temperature in your area. Each zone is split into an “a” and “b” half, with each half covering a 5-degree range.
Here is how zone 7 breaks down for South Jersey:
| Zone | Average winter low (degrees) | Example South Jersey areas |
|---|---|---|
| 7a | 0 to 5 | Camden, Gloucester, Burlington |
| 7b | 5 to 10 | Cape May, Atlantic City, coastal areas |
When you shop for plants, check the tag for its hardiness range. If a plant is rated for zone 7 or lower, it should survive a typical South Jersey winter.
Hardiness zone vs. climate zone
A hardiness zone and a climate zone are not the same thing, and the mix-up trips up a lot of gardeners. Here is how they differ:
| Factor | Hardiness zone | Climate zone |
|---|---|---|
| What it measures | Average lowest winter temperature | Heat, humidity, rainfall, season length |
| Best used for | Will a plant survive winter? | Fine-tuning plant choices |
For plants that survive the winter, your USDA hardiness zone, zone 7, is the number you need most. Use climate factors like summer heat and rainfall to fine-tune from there.
What grows in zone 7a and 7b
Zone 7 gives South Jersey gardeners plenty of room to work with. The moderate winters and long growing season support cool-season grasses, hardy perennials, shrubs, and a wide range of vegetables.
Here are some reliable choices for zone 7a and 7b yards:
- Cool-season grasses: Kentucky bluegrass, tall fescue, and perennial ryegrass stay green through much of the year.
- Perennials: Black-eyed Susan, coneflower, daylily, and hosta come back year after year without much fuss.
- Shrubs and trees: Hydrangea, azalea, dogwood, and red maple thrive in zone 7 soil and temperatures.
- Vegetables: Tomatoes, peppers, beans, lettuce, and squash all do well across the growing season.
Plants rated for zones 6, 7, or 8 are your safest bets. Push into zone 8 plants only in protected, warmer 7b spots.
Read more: The Best Grass Seed for South Jersey Lawns
How to find your exact planting zone
The fastest way to confirm your planting zone is to look it up by ZIP code on the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map. It pinpoints your zone down to the half, so you will know whether you are in 7a or 7b.
To find your zone:
- Enter your ZIP code: Type your five-digit ZIP into the USDA map search box.
- Read your zone result: The map returns your zone and its average winter low.
- Note the a or b half: This tells you whether you have a little extra cold hardiness to work with.
Microclimates matter too. A spot shielded from wind or beside pavement can run slightly warmer than the map suggests, so treat your zone as a starting point.
Read more: How the Hardiness Zone Helps with Your Yard
When to plant in South Jersey
In South Jersey, your planting calendar follows the last spring frost and first fall frost. The last frost typically passes in mid-April, and the first fall frost usually arrives in late October or early November.
A few timing tips for zone 7:
- Cool-season grass: Seed in early fall for the strongest results, with early spring as a backup window.
- Warm-weather vegetables: Plant tomatoes, peppers, and squash after the mid-April frost risk has passed.
- Perennials and shrubs: Set them out in spring or fall so roots can settle before extreme heat or cold.
Coastal 7b areas often get a slightly longer growing season, so you may be able to plant a touch earlier in spring and later in fall.
Read more: When to Plant Grass Seed in New Jersey
FAQs
Yes. A microclimate is a small area where conditions differ from the surrounding zone, such as a south-facing wall that traps heat or a low spot where cold air settles. A warm microclimate can let you grow plants rated for a half-zone higher, while a cold pocket may call for hardier picks than your map zone suggests.
Overseed cool-season grasses every one to two years to keep your lawn thick and crowd out weeds. Early fall is the ideal window in zone 7, when warm soil and cooler air help new seed germinate before winter. Thin or heavily trafficked spots may need a touch-up each year.
Most palms and citrus are not reliably hardy in zone 7a, since winter lows can dip to 0 degrees. A few cold-hardy palms, like the windmill palm, may survive in sheltered 7b spots with winter protection. For dependable results, grow citrus in containers you can move indoors when temperatures drop.
Make South Jersey lawn care easy
Knowing your zone is the first step. Keeping a zone 7 lawn lush all season is the harder part, and that is where Lawn Love comes in.
Instead of spending your weekends mowing, seeding, and weeding, let one of Lawn Love’s local lawn care providers handle the work. From mowing and lawn treatment service to bush trimming and flower bed weeding, we make your whole yard easy to maintain.
Get a free quote today and spend more time enjoying your South Jersey yard, and less time working on it.
Main Photo: Small lawn in front of a house in south jersey. Photo Credit: Doug Kerr | Flickr | CC BY-SA 2.0
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