What to Plant Now in New Jersey: Your Ultimate Guide

Spring has sprung in New Jersey, and it's the perfect time to start planning your garden. With its diverse climate, the Garden State offers a wide range of plants that can be planted now, from vibrant flowers to hardy vegetables. Let's explore what you can plant in New Jersey this time of year.

New Jersey's climate, characterized by hot, humid summers and cold winters, falls under USDA hardiness zones 6a to 7b. This means you can grow a variety of plants that thrive in these conditions. Here are some ideas to inspire your spring planting.

Cool-Season Vegetables

Cool-season vegetables are perfect for planting in early spring, as they can tolerate frost and even prefer cooler temperatures. They'll be ready to harvest before the summer heat sets in.

Cool-season vegetables include leafy greens, root vegetables, and brassicas. Some examples are:

Leafy Greens

Lettuce, spinach, and kale are excellent choices for spring planting. They grow quickly and can be harvested within a few weeks. Plant them in full sun to partial shade, keeping the soil consistently moist.

Try different varieties like 'Black-Seeded Simpson' lettuce, 'Bloomsdale' spinach, or 'Red Russian' kale for a colorful and diverse harvest.

Root Vegetables

Root vegetables like radishes, carrots, and beets can be planted in early spring. They prefer well-draining soil and full sun. Radishes are fast-growing, taking only about a month to mature, while carrots and beets can take up to three months.

Consider planting 'Cherry Belle' radishes, 'Paris Market' carrots, or 'Detroit Dark Red' beets for a tasty and nutritious harvest.

Warm-Season Vegetables

Warm-season vegetables thrive in the heat of summer and should be planted after the last spring frost. They include many of our favorite garden staples like tomatoes, peppers, and cucumbers.

Here are some warm-season vegetables you can start now:

Tomatoes

Tomatoes are a quintessential summer crop and come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, and colors. They need full sun and well-draining soil. Start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost, or purchase transplants from a local nursery.

Try growing 'Cherry Roma' for a prolific crop of small, sweet tomatoes, or 'Brandywine' for a classic, large heirloom variety.

Peppers

Peppers come in hot and sweet varieties and can be started indoors 8-10 weeks before the last frost. They need full sun and warm soil to germinate. Peppers are long-season plants, taking up to four months to mature.

Grow 'Sweet Banana' for a mild, sweet pepper, or 'Jalapeño M' for a hot, productive variety.

Flowers for Cutting and Pollinators

Flowers not only add beauty to your garden but also attract beneficial pollinators like bees and butterflies. Many flowers can be planted in spring and will bloom throughout the summer.

Consider adding these flowers to your garden:

Cut Flowers

Zinnias, cosmos, and sunflowers are excellent choices for cut flowers. They grow quickly and produce abundant blooms that can be cut and enjoyed indoors. Plant them in full sun and well-draining soil.

Try 'State Fair' zinnia for a mix of colors, 'Seashells' cosmos for delicate, white blooms, or 'ProCut' sunflower for tall, single-stemmed flowers.

Pollinator-Friendly Flowers

Native wildflowers and other pollinator-friendly plants like coneflowers, black-eyed Susans, and butterfly bush attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators to your garden. They prefer full sun to partial shade and well-draining soil.

Plant 'Purple Coneflower' (Echinacea), 'Goldsturm' black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia), or 'Summer Beauty' butterfly bush (Buddleja) to support local pollinators.

With careful planning and a little effort, you can create a thriving garden in New Jersey this spring. Happy planting!