When to plant in Ocean City, NJ
USDA Zone 7bEverything below — frost dates, hardiness zone, and what to plant when in Ocean City, New Jersey — is derived from the closest NOAA station with complete climate normals.
Ocean City enjoys a long ~241-day frost-free season — you can succession-sow, fit in a second crop, and grow long-season heat-lovers with room to spare. Zone 7b means many perennials and even some tender shrubs overwinter in Ocean City, while your frost dates still decide when annuals go out.
Frost probability
MARGATE · 1991–2020The date the last spring and first fall frost occur, by threshold and probability. A 90% date is later in spring — and earlier in fall — than a 10% date; the 50% · 32°F row is what most gardeners plan around. These are Ocean City’s own odds, recorded at MARGATE.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | Apr 22 | Apr 7 | Mar 24 | Oct 29 | Nov 8 | Nov 25 |
| 32°F | Apr 7 | Mar 26 | Mar 9 | Nov 7 | Nov 22 | Dec 10 |
| 28°F | Mar 28 | Mar 13 | Feb 27 | Nov 18 | Dec 5 | Dec 25 |
Download this table as CSV ↓ — every threshold and probability, plus this city’s planting-window dates.
What to plant now
TODAY · JULY 19Full-year planting calendar
Each bar is the exact window to take a planting action in Ocean City, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 20 km · complete 32°F normalsWhen stations disagree by more than a few days, that spread is real microclimate variation — elevation, water, urban heat. Judge which station best matches your own yard.
Ocean City planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Ocean City, NJ?
On average, the last spring frost in Ocean City is around March 26 (50% probability at 32°F, from 1991–2020 NOAA normals). Wait until after this date to set out tender plants like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first fall frost in Ocean City, NJ?
In Ocean City, the first 32°F freeze of fall lands around November 22 on average. Time your last harvests and any season-extension cover before it.
What hardiness zone is Ocean City in?
Ocean City is in USDA hardiness zone 7b. In zone 7b, winters are moderate — most common vegetables grow well in season.
How long is the growing season in Ocean City?
There are roughly 241 frost-free days in Ocean City (a long growing season), running from the average last frost around March 26 to the first fall frost near November 22.
When should I plant tomatoes in Ocean City?
In Ocean City, start tomato seeds indoors around January 29–February 12, then transplant seedlings outdoors around April 2 once the danger of frost has passed.
Never miss a window in Ocean City
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Ocean City’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- Somers Point · 5 km
- Pleasantville · 15 km
- Atlantic City · 18 km
- McKee City · 20 km
- Vineland · 40 km
- Millville · 41 km
- Hammonton · 46 km
- Williamstown · 56 km
Frost dates recorded at MARGATE, 11 km from the city center · 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals · zone from the USDA/PRISM 2023 map. How we compute this.
BlissGarden. "When to Plant in Ocean City, NJ — Frost Dates & Zone 7b." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USC00285243. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/new-jersey/ocean-city.