New Jersey Vegetable Planting Calendar (NJ): Month Wise Chart, Dates Guide for Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer, and Zones (2024)

Planning is essential to achieve healthy plants and an attractive landscape design. By selecting plants that are well-suited to the climate in your yard, you could also save both time and money. To plan or schedule your garden, you must have a planting calendar. Below we learn the New Jersey vegetable planting calendar, NJ planting guide, what vegetables grow in different seasons in new jersey, month-by-month planting guide, seasonal growing chart, and zone-wise guide for planting vegetables in your New Jersey home gardens.

New Jersey vegetable planting calendar (NJ)

NJ planting zones

Most of New Jersey’s climate can be classified as humid subtropical. The northeast, central, and southern regions often have hot and steamy summers and harsh, icy winters. Because of its higher altitude, the state’s northwest is substantially cooler and wetter than the remainder. Consistently sub-zero winter temperatures are the norm there. The state’s summer average sees highs in the 80s and lows in the 60s.

Daily highs can approach 100 degrees throughout this period. Temperatures in the middle the to upper 40s and lows in the middle to upper 20s are common throughout the winter over much of the state. There are 30 summer thunderstorms and 43.5 to 51.3 inches of yearly rainfall. The coast and south average 10–15 inches of snowfall each year, the middle and northeast 15–30 inches, and the northern highlands 40–50 inches.

Many U.S. plant and flower hardiness zones are based on the average date of the first hard frost in that area. Gardeners in New Jersey would do well to get acquainted with the state’s planting zones since they are consistent. When determining which plants to bring into their gardens, New Jersey residents must consider their hardiness zone, ranging from 6a to 7b.

You can plant seeds in any zone that is colder than your own without worrying about frost damage. The weather in New Jersey is ideal for growing a wide variety of vegetables. With planning, a vegetable garden may keep producing harvests until the end of the growing season. Beans, lettuce, onions, carrots, beets,radishes, zucchini, cabbages,summer squashes, and broccoli grow well here.

What vegetables to grow in New Jersey?

Best-suited NJ garden crops are beans, beets, lettuce, spinach, Swiss chard,onions, cucumbers, summer squash, carrots, peas, radishes, broccoli, peppers, cauliflower, zucchini, leeks, turnips, cabbage,tomatoes, and potatoes.

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When should I start my vegetable garden in NJ?

Wondering when to plant vegetables in NJ? Planting too soon is a common rookie gardening blunder. It’s easy to rush and plant everything at once because of your enthusiasm, but you should consider each plant individually. Late April/early May is a good time to grow broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, snow peas, and kale in New Jersey.

What can I plant in March in NJ?

Early in the month of March is fine for some outside planting. Many plants can endure the occasional periods of freezing soil. Spinach, radishes, and peas are just a few examples. Some plants do better in this month’s colder temperatures and can survive being planted. Depending on the climate, you should plant them towards the end of March. Keep them hidden, please.

Cabbage, onion, and lettuce can be planted after the first crocus blooms.Cover them up at night to prevent them from becoming too chilly in the few weeks until spring. Compost manure should be used as mulch around plants. Adding supplemental soil nutrients into your gardening routine can provide noticeable results.

When should I plant my vegetable seeds in NJ?

Plants are classified as either warm-season or cool-season crops. Until the last chance of frost has passed, warm-season crops cannot be sown outside. This will occur anywhere from April 20 in the state’s hottest southern regions to June 1 in the state’s chillier northern regions. Planting can begin considerably earlier in the spring for cool-season crops since they can tolerate frost. Some, like tomatoes and lettuce, can be transplanted with little trouble.

However, not every plant has such success. Grains like beans and maize rated as “poor” need special attention and as little handling as possible. These plants’ roots are delicate and readily disrupted. The roots will be less likely to be damaged if you start them inside in peat pots or pellets. Carrots, beets, and peas are just a few examples of crops that are always best started from seed outside.

When should I plant tomatoes in NJ?

To begin, you shouldn’t rush into planting. As tomatoes are sensitive to cool nighttime temperatures, the best time to plant them is usually at the end of May. In this case, purchasing the tallest transplants and burying them deeply is recommended. The internet and videos on YouTube will have all the information you need to plant tomatoes deeply.

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A large portion of the plant is removed, including the lowest leaves, and buried below ground. Tomatoes are awesome; whatever you put in the ground will eventually turn into roots for your plants. Ensure the roots have enough calcium by crushing eggshells and dropping them into the holes. Lastly, as previously said, be sure not to overwater your tomatoes.

When should I plant potatoes in NJ?

Remember that potatoes thrive in cooler temperatures while planting your crop. Potatoes should be planted in the ground in the first few weeks of spring. The optimal time to plant potatoes is two to three weeks before the last expected frost. They have been a staple meal throughout history since all they need is to grow in warm temperatures and fertile soil. As with other vegetable gardens, starting with a seed potato is usual for planting potatoes.

Sowing seed potatoes as a whole or in pieces, with one or two buds, or “eyes,” on each piece is possible. Potatoes are one of the most popular crops around the globe. They’re simple to grow, but you must plant them differently than other vegetables. The seed potatoes should be planted in a foot-deep trench.

It’s time to fill the trench with enough soil to bury each potato. The top inch of soil should be covered with loose soil as the plant grows. As it develops, continue to build mounds by removing soil from the perimeter and adding it to the top. Straw can be used to continue following the plant upward if the soil is exhausted. The greater the elevation, the greater the yield from a single potato seed.

What vegetables can I plant now in New jersey?

Spring vegetable gardening in new jersey

You can start planting various garden crops in late March and early April, even though the snow has just recently melted. In New Jersey, the final frost often occurs in May, so the weather is warming up, and the end of the long winter is not far off. We still have time to get a head start on certain veggies before the final frost, so let’s look at what you can do. Below are some of the best vegetables to grow in summer in NJ.

Planting peas is a common practice around St. Patrick’s Day since peas are a popular veggie. Planting peas can be done in two ways: either on their own or with the help of a trellis for the climbing variety or in a bush configuration for the self-sufficient kind. You can also put radishes in a row if you’re planting peas. Carrots benefit from being planted next to radishes because the former discourage clumping, and the latter encourage upright growth. Growing spinach successfully requires well-cultivated soil.

The best time to plant spinach is in the first two weeks of April, although you can prepare the soil for planting as early as March. Once sown, spinach seeds need constant moisture due to their fragility. About a month from now, you should see the first sprouts, at which point you can start amending the soil. As a general rule, lettuce should be planted in the first week of April. The lettuce should be planted in slightly shady soil that has been amended with compost. Like spinach, lettuce seeds need a light covering of soil.

Also, ensure the soil you grow the lettuce in is rich in nutrients. Growing carrots can be challenging, but if you put them next to radishes, they’ll thrive. Carrots in New Jersey should be planted in the middle of April on somewhat sandy soil. If you live in New Jersey and want to plant beets, now is the time to do it (the optimal planting date is the middle of April). They are delicious complements to any dish but are at their peak flavor before the summer heat arrives.

Fall vegetable gardening in New Jersey

If it’s the final week of August, it indicates it is time to plant your autumn vegetables. Not only can cabbage, carrots,beets, broccoli, cauliflower, radishes, and spinach withstand the impending chilly weather, but they flourish in it. Beets, Broccoli, Cauliflower, Lettuce, Cabbage, Carrots,and Spinach.

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Many of these autumn vegetables taste sweeter after the winter weather comes in, which is one more reason why the fall harvest is so worthwhile. Row covers and cold frames are the most effective tools for elongating the growing season in New Jersey when used in combination with one another.

Summer vegetable gardening in new jersey

Planting tomatoes, peppers, and squash is still a good idea. Seeds of green beans, carrots, cucumbers, beets,and Swiss chard can also be planted. Even if you sow these seeds in July, most of them will be ready for harvest by September. Weeds are just as excited for summer as a group of school kids on the final day of classes. For them, the warmer months are a time to “shine” as they emerge in large numbers to enjoy the season. Mulching is a useful technique for reducing weed growth.

Add extra mulch to your garden if you have less than two to four inches. This can help save water and cut down on weeds, which can deplete nutrients from your plants if left unchecked. A New Jersey gardening supplies shop is the best place to learn weed management techniques. Some of the spring flowers you planted, like tulips and daffodils, can have leaves and stems that wilt and die after a short time. Leaves that turn yellow should be removed immediately to prevent the disease from spreading.

Furthermore, spring isn’t the end of the planting season. Vegetables such as celery, peppers, zucchini, beans, and maize flourish in summer’s warm weather. These crops benefit from both the warm soil and the long days. To find out which veggies thrive in New Jersey’s weather, visit a gardening supply store. Simply dipping a finger into the soil will tell you whether your plants are thirsty. Don’t water if the soil already seems moist. Make it a practice to remove your container plants from the water and place them in a dry location.

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After some time, you’ll be able to tell whether your plants are thirsty or well-watered based on the disparity in their relative sizes. Potted plants can require twice-daily watering in summer. To determine how frequently to water trees and shrubs, repeat the soil test we discussed. To allow your plants enough time to dry after being watered, do it first thing in the morning and again in the early afternoon. Plants susceptible to mildew should be kept dry at night.

Winter vegetable gardening in new jersey

The end of summer doesn’t mean you have to put your gardening tools away until next year. Beets, broccoli, turnips, lettuce, cabbage,and other top-tier veggies thrive in the cooler autumn weather. It’s not hard to grow various vegetables and herbs throughout the winter, including garlic, leeks, peas, potatoes, chard, onions, radishes,spinach, rhubarb, and kale. If you provide the ideal environment for growth, many leafy greens can be successfully grown in the winter.

Knowing how long a plant needs to grow before harvest is a crucial first step when planting for the fall/winter. For instance, because it takes spinach around 28 days to mature, it would have to be planted by the first week of September to survive the first frost, which generally occurs around October 15. When daylight hours are shorter in autumn and winter, it is important to plan to make the most of them.

This can involve removing row covers even when the temperature is far below freezing. However, planning for enough water might be difficult, particularly if anticipating temperatures below freezing. This is important in any climate, so plan to ensure that your plants always have access to a sufficient water supply, even in subzero temperatures. Preventing frost damage to your plants is a must.

Every bit of a plant’s above-ground development can be killed by a frost, preventing it from reaching full maturity. When frost or excessive cold is predicted for your region, you should be prepared by having some row covers on hand. Cow dung, chicken manure, seaweed, or kelp may provide organic matter to the soil before planting plants. Blood meal, cottonseed meal, bone meal,and bagged organic vegetable fortifier are great fertilizer options.

New Jersey vegetable planting calendar/guide/chart/schedule

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Conclusion

Finally, remember to enjoy your gardening activities. Begin slowly. Having a huge garden the first year isn’t necessary. Start with cucumbers, zucchini, snow peas,potatoes, green beans, and leafy greens since these are some of the easiest plants to grow. The next year, increase your harvest by a small amount; if you’re feeling confident, try some more challenging vegetables.

If you live in the following towns, cities, and counties of New Jersey (NJ) in the United States, this article may help you understand the vegetable planting calendar and a month-wise chart, schedule/dates, and guide along with planting seasons (Fall, Winter, Spring, and Summer).