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When to Plant Snapdragon in Gloucester County, NJ

Gloucester County, New Jersey Zone 7b June

This month in Gloucester County, New Jersey

June is a pivotal month for Gloucester County, New Jersey gardens. Focus on these tasks first and you'll set up the rest of the season for success.

Avg. last frost April 5
Avg. first frost November 12
Soil temp (4") 77°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.8 hrs
  1. Sow snapdragon in trays indoors

    A seed-starting mix and a sunny window (or a grow light) are all you need. Keep soil warm — around 70°F — for fast germination.

  2. Collect snapdragon at their peak

    Don't tug. Use scissors or pruners for clean cuts — torn stems invite disease.

Looking ahead to July
  • First harvests: snapdragon

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Snapdragons (Antirrhinum majus) are classic cool-season annuals whose upright spikes of dragon-lipped flowers are among spring's most dramatic displays. Tolerating light frosts, they bloom from early spring until summer heat shuts them down — then often revive in fall. In zones 9-11 they are grown as fall-planted winter annuals and may re-seed to naturalize.

Gloucester County, New Jersey is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 5 and the first fall frost is November 12, giving you a growing season of approximately 221 days.

At an elevation of 735 feet, Gloucester County receives approximately 49.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 94°F, providing good warmth for Snapdragon during the growing season.

Annual Blooms in Spring Pollinator-friendly Deer-resistant Good for cutting Fragrant
Gloucester County, NJ (Zone 7b) Long season
221 days
Last Spring Frost April 5
221 growing days
First Fall Frost November 12

Gloucester County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.2-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Snapdragon Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (61 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 13 Transplant: Mar 17 🌸 Bloom: May 26 – Sep 1
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (60 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 25 Transplant: Mar 29 🌸 Bloom: Jun 7 – Sep 13
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (60 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 17 Transplant: Apr 21 🌸 Bloom: Jun 30 – Oct 6

Percentages indicate frost risk at transplant. The 70% safe window means there is a 30% chance of frost after transplant — suitable for cold-hardy crops or gardeners with frost protection. The 90% safe window is best for tender plants.

Soil Compatibility in Gloucester County

How your county's soil matches Snapdragon's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.2–6.8) is more acidic than Snapdragon prefers (6.2–7.0). Add garden lime to raise pH.

Soil Texture

The silt loam soil in Gloucester County is excellent for Snapdragon — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (3.5%). Annual compost additions will help Snapdragon.

How to Plant Snapdragon

9"
Between Plants
12"
Between Rows

Fall planting: Sow 8 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.

Succession Planting Snapdragon

3
successive plantings in your 221-day season

Sow every 8 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 04 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Sep 17.

Snapdragon Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
1.0″/week
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 102 gal / 100 sq ft

Monthly Watering Guide for Snapdragon

Snapdragon needs approximately 1 inches of water per week (4.3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Snapdragon Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 3.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 4.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 4.3" 4" 0.3" 💧 Light watering
May 4.3" 4.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 4.3" 4.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 5.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 4" 0.3" 💧 Light watering
Sep 4.3" 4.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 4.3" 3.9" 0.4" 💧 Light watering
Nov 4.3" 4.1" 0.2" 💧 Light watering
Dec 3.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Nov in Gloucester County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Snapdragon Heat Requirements (GDD)

What are Growing Degree Days (GDD)?

Growing Degree Days measure the total warmth your plants receive during the growing season. Think of it as a "heat bank" — every day above 50°F deposits warmth that helps your plants grow.

Each plant needs a certain amount of accumulated heat to mature. If your county provides more GDD than the plant needs, it's a great fit. If it's close, you may want to choose faster-maturing varieties or start seeds indoors to get a head start.

Snapdragon needs ~1,742 GDD — county provides 4,530 GDD Excellent fit

Snapdragon Planting Timeline — Gloucester County, NJ

Snapdragon Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 25 Jan 25 – Feb 8
Transplant Outdoors March 29 Mar 29 – Apr 12
Direct Sow March 8 Mar 8 – Mar 29
Bloom June 7 Jun 7 – Sep 13
Fall Sowing September 17 Sep 17 – Oct 1

· 9" apart · Rows 12" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January Start Indoors
February Start Indoors
March Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
April Transplant Outdoors
May
June Bloom
July Bloom
August Bloom
September Fall Sowing Bloom
October Fall Sowing
November
December

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

1"/week · Only during dry spells

📅 Days to Maturity

70–100 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6.2–7 · Your soil: too_acidic

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 7b

📆 Growing Season

221 days in Gloucester County

Growing Tips for Snapdragon in Gloucester County

Direct sow Snapdragon outdoors after April 05 in Gloucester County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

General growing tips

Start indoors 10-12 weeks before last frost; seeds need light to germinate — press into moist medium and do not cover. Transplant after hardening off, even if light frosts remain. Pinch seedlings once to encourage branching. Deadhead to prolong blooming. In zones 8-11, sow in fall for a winter-to-spring show. Tall varieties (24-36") make excellent cut flowers.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Snapdragon in Gloucester County, NJ?

Gloucester County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of April 5. Plan your Snapdragon planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Gloucester County, NJ?

Gloucester County, New Jersey is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 5 and first fall frost is November 12.

🌱

Your Gloucester County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Gloucester County (Zone 7b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

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Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Gloucester County, NJ. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.

Sources & credits

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