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When to plant herbs in New Jersey depends on your specific hardiness zone, but the general rule is to start cool-season herbs in early spring and warm-season herbs after the last frost.
If you’re a Garden State gardener wondering when to plant herbs in New Jersey, you’re in the right place because timing is everything for a thriving herb patch.
New Jersey spans zones 6a through 7b, which means your planting windows shift slightly depending on whether you’re in Sussex County or down near Cape May.
In this post, we’ll break down when to plant herbs in New Jersey for both spring and fall, discuss the best herbs for our climate, and give you a month-by-month cheat sheet.
Let’s dig into the dirt and get your herb garden scheduled perfectly.
When To Plant Herbs In New Jersey: The Core Timing Window
The absolute best time to plant herbs in New Jersey is after the danger of frost has passed, which typically falls between mid-April and late May for most of the state.
For cool-season herbs like parsley, cilantro, and dill, you can actually plant them earlier, as soon as the soil is workable in March or early April.
Warm-season herbs like basil, oregano, and thyme need soil temperatures of at least 60°F, so those should wait until late May or early June in New Jersey.
When you plant herbs in New Jersey, you also have a second window in late summer for a fall harvest, especially for fast-growing annuals like cilantro and dill.
The key is knowing your local frost dates, and New Jersey’s last frost generally occurs between April 15 and May 15 depending on your county.
1. Cool-Season Herbs For Early Spring Planting
If you’re planning when to plant herbs in New Jersey for early spring, focus on hardy varieties that tolerate light frost.
Parsley, cilantro, dill, and chives can go in the ground as early as late March in southern Jersey and early April up north.
These herbs actually prefer cooler temperatures and will bolt or go to seed quickly once summer heat arrives.
You can even direct sow these seeds outdoors in early spring because they germinate in soil as cool as 50°F.
For a continuous supply, stagger your plantings every two weeks until mid-May so you always have fresh leaves coming up.
2. Warm-Season Herbs For Late Spring Planting
The trickiest part of when to plant herbs in New Jersey is resisting the urge to set out basil too early.
Basil is extremely frost-sensitive, and even a light chill in late May can turn its leaves black and stunt growth permanently.
Wait until nighttime temperatures stay consistently above 50°F before transplanting basil, rosemary, and marjoram outdoors.
In most of New Jersey, that reliable window opens around May 20 to June 1.
If you start these warm-season herbs indoors six to eight weeks earlier, they’ll be strong enough to handle the transition by then.
3. Fall Planting For A Second Harvest
Knowing when to plant herbs in New Jersey doesn’t stop in spring because fall is another fantastic opportunity.
In late July through early September, you can sow cilantro, dill, and parsley again for a crisp autumn harvest.
These herbs thrive in the cooler nights of September and October, and they often taste even sweeter after a light frost.
Perennial herbs like sage, thyme, and mint are best planted in early fall, about six weeks before the first expected frost, so their roots establish before winter.
New Jersey’s first frost typically arrives between late September and mid-October, so aim for mid-August planting for fall crops.
Month-By-Month Herb Planting Calendar For New Jersey
Here’s a practical breakdown of when to plant herbs in New Jersey throughout the growing season.
Following this calendar ensures you’re never too early or too late for any herb variety.
March To April: Start Indoors And Direct Sow Hardy Herbs
In March, start basil, rosemary, and oregano seeds indoors under grow lights.
Outdoors in April, direct sow parsley, cilantro, dill, and chives as soon as the ground thaws and drains well.
These early plantings will give you fresh herbs by late May while your indoor seedlings are still catching up.
May: The Big Transition Month
Early May is still risky for frost in northern New Jersey, so keep row covers handy for tender seedlings.
Mid to late May is the sweet spot for when to plant herbs in New Jersey for warm-season varieties.
Transplant basil, sage, thyme, and marjoram outdoors after May 20 in southern zones and after Memorial Day up north.
This is also a great time to plant mint in containers because it spreads aggressively in garden beds.
June To July: Main Season Maintenance
By June, all herbs should be in the ground, and your focus shifts to watering and harvesting.
July is too hot to start new plantings for most herbs, so just keep pinching back basil to encourage bushier growth.
If you missed the spring window, you can still plant fast-growing annuals like dill and cilantro in early July for a late summer harvest.
August To September: Fall Planting Window
Late August is perfect for when to plant herbs in New Jersey for fall, especially cilantro and dill.
You can also divide and transplant perennial herbs like chives and oregano in September.
These fall plantings will give you fresh herbs well into November if you protect them with a cold frame or cloche.
Best Herbs To Plant In New Jersey Based On Zone
Not all herbs are created equal when it comes to New Jersey’s humid summers and cold winters.
When deciding when to plant herbs in New Jersey, you also need to pick varieties that thrive in our climate.
Perennial Herbs That Survive New Jersey Winters
Perennials like chives, thyme, sage, oregano, and mint will come back year after year in our zone.
Plant these in spring or early fall, and they’ll establish deep roots before winter dormancy.
Rosemary is a bit trickier because it’s only marginally hardy in zone 6, so many New Jersey gardeners grow it in pots and bring it indoors.
Annual Herbs Perfect For Garden State Summers
Basil, cilantro, dill, and parsley are the stars of New Jersey summer gardens.
Basil loves our hot, humid July days, while cilantro bolts quickly, so plant it early and again in late summer.
Dill is fantastic for attracting swallowtail butterflies, and it self-seeds readily for next year’s garden.
So, When To Plant Herbs In New Jersey?
The best time to plant herbs in New Jersey is from late March through early June for spring, and again from late August through mid-September for fall.
Cool-season herbs go in first, while warm-season herbs wait until after the last frost date in your specific zone.
By following the month-by-month calendar above, you’ll have fresh herbs from April all the way through November.
Remember to check your local frost dates and start seeds indoors if you want to get a jump on the season.
Now that you know when to plant herbs in New Jersey, grab your trowel and get those seeds in the ground.
Your future pesto, salsa, and herb-roasted chicken are waiting for you.