Native Plants Transform New Jersey Gardens This Spring

New Jersey gardeners excited for spring planting season should hold off a few more weeks, according to state horticulture experts. Despite warming days tempting many to start digging, soil temperatures across the Garden State remain too cool for most summer annuals and vegetables to thrive. Instead, gardening specialists recommend focusing on preparation and planning, with special emphasis on incorporating native plants that can transform ordinary landscapes into thriving ecosystems.

“What we need to do is use the plants that are from here because they are more stable, they thrive better, and they are part of the habitat of New Jersey,” advises Ruth Carll, state leader of Consumer Horticulture and the Master Gardeners Program at Rutgers Cooperative Extension, as reported by New Jersey 101.5. This growing season, native plants have emerged as the dominant trend among garden centers and landscapers across Monmouth, Ocean, and Bergen counties.

Timing Is Everything: Why Mother’s Day Matters

Despite retailers stocking summer plants as early as April, experts caution against premature planting. “Typically, Mother’s Day is the target date for gardening. That’s usually when the ground temperature is consistently above 60 degrees, even at night,” explains Carll in her interview with New Jersey 101.5. Current soil temperature readings across New Jersey’s growing zones hover in the 50s, significantly below optimal levels for summer annuals.

The patience principle applies particularly to New Jersey’s coastal regions, where late spring frost events remain common. According to Shore News Network’s guide for Zone 7 gardeners, areas within 15 miles of the Atlantic Coast experience greater temperature fluctuations through early May, creating microclimate challenges for gardeners in communities from Cape May to Sandy Hook.

Instead of risking plant loss, horticultural experts recommend using April for garden preparation. “Now is the time to prepare our gardens,” says Carll in the New Jersey 101.5 report. “That means trimming dead stalks off dead plants from the fall, making sure the gardens are clear of leaf litter, and just neatening.” This preparatory work creates ideal conditions for successful planting once temperatures stabilize.

Native Plants: Beauty With Purpose

The misconception that native gardens look wild or unkempt is rapidly changing as New Jersey gardeners discover the ornamental value of indigenous species. “You can have a cottage-style garden with native plants and flowers, if you pick the right ones,” Carll explains in her New Jersey 101.5 interview. “For example, Black-eyed Susans. Rudbeckia is a plant which is a beautiful long-term bloomer. Pollinators love it. It’s really successful, and it’s a native.”

Native plant specialists at the Native Plant Society of New Jersey, recommended by Carll in the New Jersey 101.5 article, point to several species particularly well-suited for residential landscapes across the state’s various growing zones. Butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa), Eastern columbine (Aquilegia canadensis), and New Jersey tea (Ceanothus americanus) offer both aesthetic appeal and ecological benefits.

Local garden centers throughout Monmouth and Ocean counties have responded to increasing demand by expanding their native plant inventories. Several nurseries in Freehold, Red Bank, and Toms River now offer specialized native plant sections, with knowledgeable staff trained to help customers select species appropriate for specific growing conditions.

Supporting Local Ecosystems: Beyond Beauty

The value of native plants extends far beyond their appearance, according to New Jersey 101.5’s gardening report. Carll emphasizes that while many pollinators visit both native and non-native flowers, the real ecological benefit comes from supporting the entire life cycle of beneficial insects. “When planting pollinator-friendly flowers, keep in mind it’s not about the adult pollinator that needs food. It’s about the larvae of the pollinator, the caterpillars, and the babies that need specific plants.”

This perspective challenges popular approaches to butterfly gardening. “Just planting a butterfly bush, for example, which swallowtails love, is not really a good idea because there are no larvae that grow on the bush,” Carll notes in her interview. “You’re drawing all these pollinators to your yard, but they have no place to lay their eggs, and it’s not a healthy situation.”

For New Jersey gardeners seeking to create truly beneficial landscapes, experts recommend focusing on host plants specific to native butterfly species. Milkweed varieties support monarch butterflies, while black cherry trees serve as essential hosts for tiger swallowtail caterpillars. These ecological relationships create sustainable garden systems that contribute to broader environmental health.

April Planting: What Can Go In The Ground Now

While summer annuals and heat-loving vegetables must wait, April offers perfect conditions for numerous cold-tolerant plants. According to Shore News Network’s recent article “Getting Your Garden Ready in New Jersey for Spring: April Tips for Zone 7,” New Jersey gardeners can currently plant several vegetables and flowers that thrive in cooler spring conditions.

Cool-season crops suitable for immediate planting include lettuce, spinach, kale, carrots, radishes, peas, and broccoli, the Shore News Network guide explains. These vegetables perform best when established during April’s moderate temperatures, often producing harvests before summer heat arrives. For flower enthusiasts, pansies, violas, and snapdragons offer immediate color while tolerating occasional cold nights.

Gardeners eager to grow summer favorites like tomatoes and peppers can start seeds indoors now, creating robust seedlings ready for late-May transplanting, according to the Shore News Network article. This approach provides the satisfaction of active gardening while respecting the realities of New Jersey’s growing season. Local garden experts recommend using a high-quality seed starting mix and providing consistent light to develop sturdy transplants.

Resources For Success: Expert Help Available

New Jersey gardeners enjoy exceptional access to professional guidance through the state’s extensive Master Gardener program, as highlighted by New Jersey 101.5. “Luckily, in New Jersey, there is a master gardener who mans a helpline in almost every county,” notes Carll. These trained volunteers offer personalized advice on plant selection, pest management, and cultivation techniques specific to local growing conditions.

For gardeners seeking soil improvement, Rutgers Cooperative Extension offices throughout the state provide affordable soil testing services. “Soil tests are available at any Rutgers Cooperative Extension for $20,” Carll explains in the New Jersey 101.5 report. “It comes with a great report and a person who will explain the report to you. Once you know that, that is the foundation knowledge that you need to be successful.”

New Jersey’s 2,200+ Master Gardeners represent an invaluable resource for both novice and experienced gardeners, according to New Jersey 101.5. Most county offices offer regular workshops, demonstration gardens, and helpline services designed to support successful gardening practices throughout the growing season.

Garden For Good: Mental Health Initiative Blooms

As gardeners across the Garden State prepare for planting season, a meaningful opportunity combines horticultural passion with community support. The Bright Harbor Foundation’s Spring Flower Fundraiser connects New Jersey’s strong gardening tradition with critical mental health services for residents experiencing emotional challenges.

The initiative, which runs through May 14, offers garden enthusiasts the chance to purchase high-quality bulbs and gardening supplies while directly funding mental health programs throughout New Jersey communities. With mental health concerns affecting one in five Garden State residents according to recent health department statistics, the foundation’s work addresses urgent local needs.

Participants can browse selections and place orders through the foundation’s dedicated portal, with all proceeds supporting counseling services, support groups, and community education programs. The initiative emphasizes personal connections by allowing donors to dedicate plantings to loved ones affected by mental health challenges, creating living symbols of hope and healing.

How You Can Help

•  Visit the fundraiser: Click here to order bulbs and garden gifts
•  Order by May 14: All proceeds go directly to supporting Bright Harbor Foundation’s mission
•  Share the love: Spread the word by posting the link on social media, tagging friends, or emailing coworkers 
• Make it personal: Plant flowers in honor of a loved one, or as a symbol of growth in your own journey

Every purchase, every flower, and every share helps Bright Harbor Foundation continue its work of healing minds, uplifting lives, and building a more compassionate community.