When to Plant Mint in New Jersey

🌱

Direct Sow Outdoors

Sunday, March 8, 2026

Based on Avenel · Zone 7b

Last frost: Sunday, April 5, 2026

State

New Jersey

USDA Zones

6b, 7a, 7b, 8a

Avg Last Frost

Sunday, April 5, 2026

Cities Covered

579

New Jersey Planting Schedule by Zone

New Jersey spans 4 zones — find yours below for the most accurate dates.

Zone	Last Frost	Direct Sow	Example Cities
6b	Wednesday, April 15, 2026	Wednesday, March 18, 2026	Boonton, Mountain Lakes, Butler
7a	Friday, April 10, 2026	Friday, March 13, 2026	Bloomfield, Fairfield, Caldwell
7b	Sunday, April 5, 2026	Sunday, March 8, 2026	Avenel, Bayonne, Carteret
8a	Friday, March 20, 2026	Friday, February 20, 2026	Bridgeport, Brigantine, Cape May

Dates based on average last frost. Check your local forecast before planting.

🌿 About Mint

Scientific Name Mentha spicata

Days to Maturity 90 days

Plant Type Spreading

Sun Partial Shade to Full Sun

Water Regular (keep moist)

Spacing 18" apart

🤝 Companion Plants for Mint

Good Companions

CabbageTomatoPea

Avoid Planting Near

ParsleyChamomile

See the full companion planting guide for Mint →

Growing Mint in New Jersey: Complete Guide

Mint (Mentha spicata) is a crop that grows best when sown directly in the garden. In New Jersey, the right time to direct sow is around Sunday, March 8, 2026, once soil temperatures are consistently warm enough for germination.

Because New Jersey stretches across 4 USDA hardiness zones (6b, 7a, 7b, 8a), planting windows can shift by as much as two to four weeks from one end of the state to the other. Gardeners in the warmer southern zones can start earlier, while those in cooler northern zones should wait until the zone table above shows their last frost has passed.

With 90 days to maturity, Mint fits comfortably within New Jersey's growing season in most zones. In the warmest parts of the state, a second planting later in the season may be possible.

Mint requires partial shade to full sun and regular (keep moist) moisture. Most of New Jersey receives adequate sunlight during the growing season, though gardeners in humid eastern regions should watch for fungal issues and ensure good air circulation.

For the most precise planting dates tailored to your exact location, enter your ZIP code on our planting calendar or use the zone table above to find the schedule for your area of New Jersey.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Mint in New Jersey?

In New Jersey, direct sow Mint outdoors around Sunday, March 8, 2026. New Jersey spans zones 6b–8a, so gardeners in warmer zones can plant earlier.

What is the last frost date in New Jersey?

New Jersey spans 4 USDA zones (6b, 7a, 7b, 8a), so last frost dates vary by region. Boonton, Mountain Lakes, Butler (6b) sees frost until around Wednesday, April 15, 2026, while Bridgeport, Brigantine, Cape May (8a) is frost-free much earlier.

How long does Mint take to grow in New Jersey?

Mint takes about 90 days from transplant (or direct sow) to harvest. In New Jersey's longer-season zones, a second planting in late summer may be possible.

What USDA zones does New Jersey cover for Mint?

New Jersey includes zones 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a. Mint grows well across all of these zones with adjusted timing — use the zone table above to find the right dates for your part of the state.

Find Precise Dates for Your City

Select a city for exact planting dates based on local frost records.

Absecon 7b Adelphia 7a Allamuchy 6b Allendale 7a Allenhurst 7b Allentown 7a Allenwood 7b Alloway 7b Alpine 7a Andover 6b Annandale 7a Asbury 7a Asbury Park 7b Atco 7a Atlantic City 8a Atlantic Highlands 7b Audubon 7b Augusta 6b Avalon 7b Avenel 7b Avon By The Sea 7b Baptistown 7a Barnegat 7a Barnegat Light 7b Barrington 7b Basking Ridge 7a Bayonne 7b Bayville 7a Beach Haven 7b Beachwood 7a Bedminster 7a Belford 7b Belle Mead 7a Belleville 7b Bellmawr 7b Belmar 7b Belvidere 7a Bergenfield 7b Berkeley Heights 7a Berlin 7a Bernardsville 6b Beverly 7b Birmingham 7b Blackwood 7b Blairstown 6b Blawenburg 7a Bloomfield 7a Bloomingdale 7a Bloomsbury 7a Bogota 7b Boonton 6b Bordentown 7a Bound Brook 7a Bradley Beach 7b Branchville 6b Brick 7b Bridgeport 8a Bridgeton 7b Bridgewater 7a Brielle 7b +519 more cities

Other Plants for New Jersey

Blackberry Blueberry Raspberry Strawberry Basil Chamomile Chives Cilantro Dill Lavender Lemon Balm Marjoram Oregano Parsley Rosemary Sage Tarragon Thyme Acorn Squash Artichoke Arugula Asparagus Beefsteak Tomato Beet Bell Pepper Bok Choy Broccoli Brussels Sprout Butternut Squash Cabbage Cantaloupe Carrot Cauliflower Cayenne Pepper Celery Cherry Tomato Chili Pepper Collard Green Common Bean Cucumber Eggplant Endive Fennel Garlic Grape Tomato Green Bean Habanero Pepper Head Lettuce Heirloom Tomato Honeydew Melon Jalapeño Pepper Kale Kohlrabi Leaf Lettuce Leek Lima Bean Mustard Okra Onion Parsnip Pea Poblano Pepper Pole Pea Potato Pumpkin Radicchio Radish Rhubarb Roma Tomato Rutabaga Serrano Pepper Shallot Snap Pea Snow Pea Spaghetti Squash Spinach Squash Sweet Corn Sweet Potato Swiss Chard Tomato Turnip Watermelon Zucchini Sunflower Marigold Zinnia Nasturtium Cosmos Echinacea (Coneflower) Petunia Black-eyed Susan Apple Tree Pear Tree Peach Tree Plum Tree Sweet Cherry Tree Lemon Tree Borage Lemongrass Ginger Stevia Tomatillo Edamame Fava Bean Mâche Mizuna Sorrel Shishito Pepper Banana Pepper Watermelon Radish Napa Cabbage Popcorn Broccoli Raab Catnip Valerian Lemon Verbena Bee Balm Anise Lovage Chervil Summer Savory Dahlia Snapdragon Pansy Sweet Pea Morning Glory Hollyhock Larkspur Bachelor Button Columbine Impatiens Salvia (Annual) Sweet Alyssum Celosia Lupine Verbena Elderberry Grape Vine Red Currant Gooseberry Serviceberry Fig Tree Avocado Tree Persimmon Tree Olive Tree