Garden Alert: Early Planting Threatens New Jersey Gardens

New Jersey gardeners eager to begin their spring planting may be setting themselves up for failure, according to horticultural experts. Despite tempting displays of colorful annuals appearing in garden centers across the Garden State, planting too early could lead to stunted growth, frost damage, and ultimately wasted investment. With recent overnight temperatures dipping into the 30s across Bergen, Monmouth, and Ocean counties, timing remains crucial for gardening success this season.

The premature availability of summer annuals in retail outlets has created confusion for many New Jersey homeowners who mistakenly interpret their presence as a signal to begin planting. “The calendar date and what’s available in stores can be misleading,” explains Rutgers Cooperative Extension horticulturist Maria Dominguez. “Many of the big box stores operate on national schedules that don’t account for our specific regional climate patterns in the Northeast, particularly in coastal areas like Toms River and Atlantic City.”

Mother Nature’s Timeline Trumps Retail Calendars

Despite the calendar showing we’re in the fifth week of astronomical spring, which began March 20, New Jersey’s growing conditions remain suboptimal for tender annuals. As noted in a recent horticultural advisory, soil temperatures across the state currently hover in the 50s – significantly below the 70-degree threshold required for summer annuals to establish properly. This discrepancy between the calendar and actual growing conditions has created a trap for eager gardeners.

Pinelands Nursery spokesperson James Hernandez notes that rushing to plant before conditions are favorable creates unnecessary stress for both plants and gardeners. “We’re seeing customers come in after having lost their early plantings to frost or cold soil conditions,” Hernandez reports. “The Jersey Shore region in particular can experience dramatic temperature fluctuations well into May, which many newcomers to our state don’t anticipate.”

Recent nighttime temperature recordings from Atlantic, Monmouth, and Ocean counties confirm frost events have occurred multiple times in the past two weeks, damaging prematurely planted gardens. According to the New Jersey State Climatologist’s office at Rutgers University, the average last frost date for coastal New Jersey ranges between April 15 and May 1, making early planting particularly risky in a season with fluctuating temperatures.

The “Cheater’s Paradox” in Garden Planning

Horticultural professionals have observed what they call the “cheater’s paradox” among early planters – the counterintuitive result that planting earlier often leads to poorer outcomes. This mirrors observations in the gardening community that “cheaters never prosper” when it comes to premature planting, while “good things come to those who wait” proves especially true for garden success.

Professional landscaper Lauren DiMaggio, who serves clients throughout Monmouth County, explains the phenomenon: “I’ve documented this pattern for years. Clients who wait until mid-May for their annual plantings consistently outperform those who insist on April installations, just as expert gardeners have noted. While early planters struggle with cold, wet soil conditions, plants waiting in greenhouse environments develop stronger root systems.”

For New Jersey gardeners concerned about availability, DiMaggio offers reassurance. “Quality garden centers like those in Freehold, Red Bank, and other parts of Monmouth County maintain excellent inventory through Memorial Day,” she notes. “The fear of missing out on the best selection is largely unfounded and shouldn’t drive planting decisions. Even the most popular plants remain available until late May.”

Strategic Timing for Garden Success

While annuals benefit from delayed planting, woody plants follow different rules. Trees and shrubs should be planted earlier in the spring season to establish root systems before summer heat arrives, a distinction important for gardeners to recognize. This creates a natural sequence for New Jersey gardeners to follow: early spring for trees and shrubs, mid to late May for summer annuals and vegetables.

Local garden experts recommend focusing April energies on soil preparation rather than planting. “New Jersey’s clay-heavy soils benefit tremendously from spring amendments with compost and organic matter,” explains Peter Jackson, owner of Earth Matters Organic Supply in Toms River. “The gardeners who invest in soil health now will see dramatically better results when planting time actually arrives.”

For vegetable gardeners, particularly those in the Garden State’s agricultural zones 6a and 6b, cold-tolerant crops like lettuce, spinach, and peas can be safely planted now. However, warm-season crops like tomatoes, peppers, and eggplant—all New Jersey summer staples—should wait until mid-May when both air and soil temperatures consistently support growth, as vegetables don’t set fruit until weather conditions are right, regardless of planting date.

Blooming for a Cause: Mental Health Fundraiser Takes Root

As New Jersey gardeners plan their spring plantings, a timely initiative offers an opportunity to combine horticultural passion with community support. The Bright Harbor Foundation, based in Monmouth County, has launched its annual Spring Flower Fundraiser with proceeds directly supporting mental health services for Jersey Shore communities hit particularly hard by pandemic-related challenges.

The foundation’s initiative addresses a crucial need identified by recent state health data showing increasing demand for mental health services across Monmouth and Ocean counties. Each purchase through the foundation’s plant sale directly funds counseling sessions, support groups, and educational programs for New Jersey residents experiencing anxiety, depression, and other mental health concerns.

Participants can purchase spring bulbs and gardening supplies until the May 14 deadline, with options to dedicate plantings to loved ones affected by mental health challenges. The symbolic connection between nurturing gardens and nurturing mental wellbeing resonates strongly with the foundation’s mission of growth and renewal. As the old Garden State saying goes, “April showers bring May flowers”—and this spring, those blooms can also bring healing to New Jersey communities in need.

This news took place on April 22, 2025.