Agriculture in New Jersey
ZIP codes in our New Jersey data
USDA hardiness zones present
New Jersey has long been known as the Garden State, and agriculture remains an important part of its economy and identity despite the state's dense population and heavy development. Its farms are close to major East Coast markets, which favors high-value fresh produce, nursery and greenhouse crops, and direct-to-consumer sales. For growers and home gardeners alike, the state's fertile soils and long growing season make it a productive place to raise a wide range of fruits, vegetables, and ornamentals.
Farming in New Jersey
New Jersey agriculture is dominated by high-value specialty crops rather than large-scale row crops. The state is a leading producer of blueberries, cranberries, peaches, bell peppers, spinach, and tomatoes, and it has a large nursery, greenhouse, and floriculture sector that ranks among the state's top agricultural categories by value. Field crops such as corn, soybeans, and hay are also grown, and the state supports horse operations, dairy, poultry, and other livestock. Roadside stands, farmers markets, and pick-your-own operations reflect the strong emphasis on fresh, locally sold produce.
Climate and growing conditions
New Jersey has a humid climate with warm to hot summers and cold winters, and a growing season that generally runs from spring through fall, often around 150 to 220 frost-free days depending on location. The Atlantic coast and southern counties tend to be milder and have longer seasons, while the northwestern highlands are cooler with shorter seasons. USDA hardiness zones across the state generally range from about zone 6a in the northwest to zone 7b along the southern and coastal areas.
Major agricultural products
- Blueberries
- Cranberries
- Peaches
- Bell peppers
- Tomatoes
- Nursery and greenhouse plants
- Spinach and leafy greens
- Sweet corn
Hardiness zones in New Jersey
Growers in New Jersey fall across these USDA plant hardiness zones (by number of ZIP codes in our data):
Local weather & frost dates in New Jersey
Open any location for its live forecast, frost dates, and planting calendar:
Counties in New Jersey
Browse local growing conditions, hardiness zones, and weather by county (21 counties):
Market prices & data for New Jersey
State overviews combine hardiness-zone data from our ZIP database with public USDA market reports and NOAA climate normals. For farm-level decisions, consult your state's Cooperative Extension service. Page updated Aug 4, 2026.