Hockessin, DE frost dates
Last spring frostApr 19median date
First fall frostOct 26median date
Growing season190 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone7aZone 7a
How Hockessin compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Hockessin falls between April 1 and May 3, a 32-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 11 and November 8.
- The median last frost is 15 days later than the Delaware median of Apr 4.
- Its 190-day growing season is among the shortest of the 57 Delaware places with a regular frost season.
- The last frost is typical for zone 7a, where the median is Apr 16.
- The weather station records an average of 109 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Wilmington, DE, 13 km away, the last frost here is 12 days later than there and the growing season is 18 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 1 |
| 50% (median) | April 19 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 3 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 11 |
| 50% (median) | October 26 |
| 90% (late) | November 8 |
Frost here means 32°F (0°C). A median date means half of years have their last frost earlier and half later.
Planting calendar for Hockessin, DE
Hockessin, DE frost dates — last frost Apr 19, first frost Oct 26, zone 7a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Jan 25 to Feb 8Transplant outside: Mar 22 to Apr 5
Start indoors: Feb 8 to Feb 22Transplant outside: May 3 to May 17
Start indoors: Feb 8 to Feb 22Transplant outside: May 3 to May 17
Start indoors: Feb 22 to Mar 8Transplant outside: Apr 26 to May 10
Start indoors: Feb 22 to Mar 8Transplant outside: Mar 29 to Apr 12Sow outdoors: Mar 22 to Apr 26Plant for fall: Aug 31 to Sep 28
Start indoors: Feb 22 to Mar 8Transplant outside: Mar 22 to Apr 5Sow outdoors: Mar 22 to Apr 5Plant for fall: Aug 17 to Sep 7
Start indoors: Feb 22 to Mar 8Transplant outside: Apr 5 to Apr 19Plant for fall: Jul 20 to Aug 10
Start indoors: Feb 22 to Mar 8Transplant outside: Mar 29 to Apr 12Plant for fall: Jul 20 to Aug 10
Start indoors: Feb 22 to Mar 8Transplant outside: Apr 5 to Apr 19Plant for fall: Jul 20 to Aug 10
Start indoors: Mar 8 to Mar 22Transplant outside: May 10 to May 24Sow outdoors: May 10 to May 24
Start indoors: Mar 8 to Mar 22Transplant outside: Apr 26 to May 10
Sow outdoors: Mar 8 to Mar 29Plant for fall: Aug 3 to Aug 24
Sow outdoors: Mar 8 to Mar 29Plant for fall: Aug 31 to Sep 21
Sow outdoors: Mar 15 to Apr 26Plant for fall: Sep 14 to Oct 5
Start indoors: Mar 22 to Mar 29Transplant outside: May 3 to May 10Sow outdoors: Apr 26 to May 10Plant for fall: Aug 10 to Aug 24
Start indoors: Mar 22 to Mar 29Sow outdoors: Apr 26 to May 10Plant for fall: Aug 17 to Aug 31
Start indoors: Mar 22 to Mar 29Sow outdoors: Apr 26 to May 10
Start indoors: Mar 22 to Mar 29Transplant outside: May 3 to May 17
Sow outdoors: Mar 29 to Apr 26Plant for fall: Aug 3 to Aug 17
Sow outdoors: Mar 29 to Apr 26Plant for fall: Aug 17 to Aug 31
Sow outdoors: Mar 29 to Apr 19
Sow outdoors: Apr 5 to May 3Plant for fall: Aug 17 to Aug 31
Sow outdoors: Apr 5 to Apr 26Plant for fall: Aug 31 to Sep 21
Sow outdoors: Apr 26 to May 17Plant for fall: Aug 10 to Aug 24
Sow outdoors: Apr 26 to May 10
Transplant outside: May 3 to May 24
Plant for fall: Oct 12 to Nov 16
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Hockessin, DE
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 25 – Feb 8 | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | May 3 – May 17 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | May 3 – May 17 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Apr 26 – May 10 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | Mar 22 – Apr 26 | Aug 31 – Sep 28 |
| Kale | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | Aug 17 – Sep 7 |
| Broccoli | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | — | Jul 20 – Aug 10 |
| Cabbage | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | — | Jul 20 – Aug 10 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | — | Jul 20 – Aug 10 |
| Okra | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | May 10 – May 24 | May 10 – May 24 | — |
| Basil | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | Apr 26 – May 10 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 8 – Mar 29 | Aug 3 – Aug 24 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 8 – Mar 29 | Aug 31 – Sep 21 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 15 – Apr 26 | Sep 14 – Oct 5 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 22 – Mar 29 | May 3 – May 10 | Apr 26 – May 10 | Aug 10 – Aug 24 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 22 – Mar 29 | — | Apr 26 – May 10 | Aug 17 – Aug 31 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 22 – Mar 29 | — | Apr 26 – May 10 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 22 – Mar 29 | May 3 – May 17 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 29 – Apr 26 | Aug 3 – Aug 17 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 29 – Apr 26 | Aug 17 – Aug 31 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 29 – Apr 19 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 5 – May 3 | Aug 17 – Aug 31 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 5 – Apr 26 | Aug 31 – Sep 21 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 26 – May 17 | Aug 10 – Aug 24 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 26 – May 10 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 3 – May 24 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 12 – Nov 16 |
Dates come from the median frost dates and common extension-service timing. Adjust for your soil temperature, microclimate and the varieties you grow.
About these dates
Based on 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for the Avondale 2 N, PA weather station, 12 km away (elevation 400 ft (122 m)).
Frost dates near Hockessin
- Yorklyn Apr 19 · Oct 26
- Montchanin Apr 7 · Nov 4
- Winterthur Apr 7 · Nov 4
- Rockland Apr 7 · Nov 4
- Wilmington Apr 7 · Nov 1
- Newark Apr 7 · Nov 1
- Bear Apr 7 · Nov 2
- Claymont Mar 30 · Nov 16
- New Castle Apr 7 · Nov 1
- Kirkwood Apr 7 · Nov 2
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Hockessin, DE?
The median last spring frost in Hockessin, DE is April 19. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 3, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Hockessin, DE?
The median first fall frost is October 26, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 11.
How long is the growing season in Hockessin, DE?
About 190 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Hockessin, DE?
Hockessin, DE is in USDA hardiness zone 7a.