Laurel, DE frost dates
Last spring frostApr 2median date
First fall frostNov 10median date
Growing season222 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone7bZone 7b
How Laurel compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Laurel falls between March 16 and April 16, a 31-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 29 and November 27.
- The median last frost is 2 days earlier than the Delaware median of Apr 4.
- Its 222-day growing season is longer than 86% of the 57 Delaware places with a regular frost season (state median 214 days).
- The last frost is typical for zone 7b, where the median is Apr 5.
- The weather station records an average of 72 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Glen Burnie, MD, 109 km away, the last frost here is 8 days earlier than there and the growing season is 18 days longer.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 16 |
| 50% (median) | April 2 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 16 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 29 |
| 50% (median) | November 10 |
| 90% (late) | November 27 |
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 Laurel, DE
Laurel, DE frost dates — last frost Apr 2, first frost Nov 10, zone 7b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 8 to Jan 22Transplant outside: Mar 5 to Mar 19
Start indoors: Jan 22 to Feb 5Transplant outside: Apr 16 to Apr 30
Start indoors: Jan 22 to Feb 5Transplant outside: Apr 16 to Apr 30
Start indoors: Feb 5 to Feb 19Transplant outside: Apr 9 to Apr 23
Start indoors: Feb 5 to Feb 19Transplant outside: Mar 12 to Mar 26Sow outdoors: Mar 5 to Apr 9Plant for fall: Sep 15 to Oct 13
Start indoors: Feb 5 to Feb 19Transplant outside: Mar 5 to Mar 19Sow outdoors: Mar 5 to Mar 19Plant for fall: Sep 1 to Sep 22
Start indoors: Feb 5 to Feb 19Transplant outside: Mar 19 to Apr 2Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Aug 25
Start indoors: Feb 5 to Feb 19Transplant outside: Mar 12 to Mar 26Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Aug 25
Start indoors: Feb 5 to Feb 19Transplant outside: Mar 19 to Apr 2Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Aug 25
Start indoors: Feb 19 to Mar 5Transplant outside: Apr 23 to May 7Sow outdoors: Apr 23 to May 7
Start indoors: Feb 19 to Mar 5Transplant outside: Apr 9 to Apr 23
Sow outdoors: Feb 19 to Mar 12Plant for fall: Aug 18 to Sep 8
Sow outdoors: Feb 19 to Mar 12Plant for fall: Sep 15 to Oct 6
Sow outdoors: Feb 26 to Apr 9Plant for fall: Sep 29 to Oct 20
Start indoors: Mar 5 to Mar 12Transplant outside: Apr 16 to Apr 23Sow outdoors: Apr 9 to Apr 23Plant for fall: Aug 25 to Sep 8
Start indoors: Mar 5 to Mar 12Sow outdoors: Apr 9 to Apr 23Plant for fall: Sep 1 to Sep 15
Start indoors: Mar 5 to Mar 12Sow outdoors: Apr 9 to Apr 23
Start indoors: Mar 5 to Mar 12Transplant outside: Apr 16 to Apr 30
Sow outdoors: Mar 12 to Apr 9Plant for fall: Aug 18 to Sep 1
Sow outdoors: Mar 12 to Apr 9Plant for fall: Sep 1 to Sep 15
Sow outdoors: Mar 12 to Apr 2
Sow outdoors: Mar 19 to Apr 16Plant for fall: Sep 1 to Sep 15
Sow outdoors: Mar 19 to Apr 9Plant for fall: Sep 15 to Oct 6
Sow outdoors: Apr 9 to Apr 30Plant for fall: Aug 25 to Sep 8
Sow outdoors: Apr 9 to Apr 23
Transplant outside: Apr 16 to May 7
Plant for fall: Oct 27 to Dec 1
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Laurel, DE
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 8 – Jan 22 | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 22 – Feb 5 | Apr 16 – Apr 30 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 22 – Feb 5 | Apr 16 – Apr 30 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 5 – Feb 19 | Apr 9 – Apr 23 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 5 – Feb 19 | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | Mar 5 – Apr 9 | Sep 15 – Oct 13 |
| Kale | Feb 5 – Feb 19 | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | Sep 1 – Sep 22 |
| Broccoli | Feb 5 – Feb 19 | Mar 19 – Apr 2 | — | Aug 4 – Aug 25 |
| Cabbage | Feb 5 – Feb 19 | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | — | Aug 4 – Aug 25 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 5 – Feb 19 | Mar 19 – Apr 2 | — | Aug 4 – Aug 25 |
| Okra | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | Apr 23 – May 7 | Apr 23 – May 7 | — |
| Basil | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | Apr 9 – Apr 23 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 19 – Mar 12 | Aug 18 – Sep 8 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 19 – Mar 12 | Sep 15 – Oct 6 |
| Radishes | — | — | Feb 26 – Apr 9 | Sep 29 – Oct 20 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 5 – Mar 12 | Apr 16 – Apr 23 | Apr 9 – Apr 23 | Aug 25 – Sep 8 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 5 – Mar 12 | — | Apr 9 – Apr 23 | Sep 1 – Sep 15 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 5 – Mar 12 | — | Apr 9 – Apr 23 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 5 – Mar 12 | Apr 16 – Apr 30 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 12 – Apr 9 | Aug 18 – Sep 1 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 12 – Apr 9 | Sep 1 – Sep 15 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 12 – Apr 2 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 19 – Apr 16 | Sep 1 – Sep 15 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 19 – Apr 9 | Sep 15 – Oct 6 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 9 – Apr 30 | Aug 25 – Sep 8 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 9 – Apr 23 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 16 – May 7 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 27 – Dec 1 |
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 Salisbury 2n, MD weather station, 16 km away (elevation 20 ft (6 m)).
Frost dates near Laurel
- Bethel Apr 2 · Nov 10
- Delmar Apr 2 · Nov 10
- Seaford Apr 11 · Oct 30
- Georgetown Apr 4 · Nov 6
- Bridgeville Apr 11 · Oct 30
- Greenwood Apr 11 · Oct 30
- Millsboro Apr 4 · Nov 6
- Dagsboro Apr 4 · Nov 6
- Ellendale Apr 4 · Nov 6
- Frankford Apr 4 · Nov 6
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Laurel, DE?
The median last spring frost in Laurel, DE is April 2. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 16, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Laurel, DE?
The median first fall frost is November 10, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 29.
How long is the growing season in Laurel, DE?
About 222 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Laurel, DE?
Laurel, DE is in USDA hardiness zone 7b.