Conditional — Some Areas
autumn sage (zones 7-9) has limited zone overlap with New Jersey (6a-7b). Only zones 7-7 in the state are suitable.
Zone Comparison
Autumn Sage Needs
- USDA Zones: 7-9
- Soil pH: 4.2 - 8.3
- Sun: Full Sun
- Drainage: well (dry spells)
- Frost-Free Days: 120+
New Jersey Has
- USDA Zones: 6a-7b
- Last Frost: Apr 1 - May 1
- First Frost: Oct 5 - Nov 5
- Annual Rainfall: 40-50 inches
- Common Soils: Sandy loam (Pine Barrens), Silt loam, Clay
Plant Zone Range (zones 7-9)
Preferred Soil pH
Plant data: USDA PLANTS Database / plant_species_v5.csv. State data: USDA ARS PHZM 2023, NOAA Climate Normals, NRCS SSURGO.
Growing Season Fit
Zone compatibility says you can survive winter here. Whether the growing season is long enough — and warm enough — is a different question.
Frost-free days
Autumn Sage wants 120+ frost-free days; a typical New Jersey site sees ~190 (NOAA Climate Normals). That leaves comfortable headroom for succession planting.
Climate aggregates derive from USDA NRCS county-level hardiness data + Cornell CALS Extension GDD-by-region tables + MSU Extension chill-hours-by-zone (1991-2020 NOAA Climate Normals baseline).
Soil + Drainage Fit
Autumn Sage likes near-neutral soil (pH 4.2-8.3). That's the common-ground band across New Jersey's sandy loam (pine barrens) and silt loam — a soil test confirms it for your site. Drainage matters: this plant wants well (dry spells). If your New Jersey site is heavier clay or sits in a low spot, raised beds or amendment with compost solve it.
Plant pH and drainage requirements from USDA PLANTS Database. New Jersey soil profile from USDA NRCS SSURGO. Site-specific verification: a 30-minute soil test from your local Extension lab.
Autumn Sage in New Jersey — Quick Answer
- Verdict: Conditional — Some Areas
- Plant Zones: 7-9 (USDA PLANTS Database)
- State Zones: 6a-7b (USDA ARS PHZM 2023)
- Growing Season: Apr 1 - May 1 to Oct 5 - Nov 5 (NOAA Climate Normals)
What Else to Consider
Zone compatibility tells you about winter cold survival — but New Jersey growers also need to think about:
Sandy Pine Barrens soils are nutrient-poor
Urban heat island effects in northern NJ
Deer browse is extreme in suburban areas
Pollinator + Wildlife Value
Autumn Sage draws pollinators (high value, USDA PLANTS Database). Planting it near vegetable beds can lift fruit set on neighboring crops. Deer pressure is meaningful across much of New Jersey; autumn sage is listed as deer-resistant (USDA PLANTS Database), which makes it a safer pick for unfenced sites.
New Jersey Cooperative Extension
For New Jersey-specific cultivar recommendations, planting calendars, and pest pressure for autumn sage, the canonical source is Rutgers Cooperative Extension. Their fact sheets carry the local trial data we can't generalize across 50 states.
Check your specific parcel in New Jersey
State-level data is a sketch. Your Growable Ground report scores autumn sage against your parcel's exact soil, sun, drainage, and frost data — not zone averages.
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