Lewes, DE frost dates
Last spring frostMar 29median date
First fall frostNov 14median date
Growing season230 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone7bZone 7b
How Lewes compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Lewes falls between March 13 and April 9, a 27-day window. The first fall frost falls between November 1 and December 1.
- The median last frost is 6 days earlier than the Delaware median of Apr 4.
- Its 230-day growing season is longer than 91% of the 57 Delaware places with a regular frost season (state median 214 days).
- The last frost is 7 days earlier than the zone 7b median of Apr 5. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 7b chart.
- The weather station records an average of 59 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Vineland, NJ, 84 km away, the last frost here is 26 days earlier than there and the growing season is 48 days longer.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 13 |
| 50% (median) | March 29 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 9 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | November 1 |
| 50% (median) | November 14 |
| 90% (late) | December 1 |
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 Lewes, DE
Lewes, DE frost dates — last frost Mar 29, first frost Nov 14, zone 7b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Jan 4 to Jan 18Transplant outside: Mar 1 to Mar 15
Start indoors: Jan 18 to Feb 1Transplant outside: Apr 12 to Apr 26
Start indoors: Jan 18 to Feb 1Transplant outside: Apr 12 to Apr 26
Start indoors: Feb 1 to Feb 15Transplant outside: Apr 5 to Apr 19
Start indoors: Feb 1 to Feb 15Transplant outside: Mar 8 to Mar 22Sow outdoors: Mar 1 to Apr 5Plant for fall: Sep 19 to Oct 17
Start indoors: Feb 1 to Feb 15Transplant outside: Mar 1 to Mar 15Sow outdoors: Mar 1 to Mar 15Plant for fall: Sep 5 to Sep 26
Start indoors: Feb 1 to Feb 15Transplant outside: Mar 15 to Mar 29Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Aug 29
Start indoors: Feb 1 to Feb 15Transplant outside: Mar 8 to Mar 22Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Aug 29
Start indoors: Feb 1 to Feb 15Transplant outside: Mar 15 to Mar 29Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Aug 29
Start indoors: Feb 15 to Mar 1Transplant outside: Apr 19 to May 3Sow outdoors: Apr 19 to May 3
Start indoors: Feb 15 to Mar 1Transplant outside: Apr 5 to Apr 19
Sow outdoors: Feb 15 to Mar 8Plant for fall: Aug 22 to Sep 12
Sow outdoors: Feb 15 to Mar 8Plant for fall: Sep 19 to Oct 10
Sow outdoors: Feb 22 to Apr 5Plant for fall: Oct 3 to Oct 24
Start indoors: Mar 1 to Mar 8Transplant outside: Apr 12 to Apr 19Sow outdoors: Apr 5 to Apr 19Plant for fall: Aug 29 to Sep 12
Start indoors: Mar 1 to Mar 8Sow outdoors: Apr 5 to Apr 19Plant for fall: Sep 5 to Sep 19
Start indoors: Mar 1 to Mar 8Sow outdoors: Apr 5 to Apr 19
Start indoors: Mar 1 to Mar 8Transplant outside: Apr 12 to Apr 26
Sow outdoors: Mar 8 to Apr 5Plant for fall: Aug 22 to Sep 5
Sow outdoors: Mar 8 to Apr 5Plant for fall: Sep 5 to Sep 19
Sow outdoors: Mar 8 to Mar 29
Sow outdoors: Mar 15 to Apr 12Plant for fall: Sep 5 to Sep 19
Sow outdoors: Mar 15 to Apr 5Plant for fall: Sep 19 to Oct 10
Sow outdoors: Apr 5 to Apr 26Plant for fall: Aug 29 to Sep 12
Sow outdoors: Apr 5 to Apr 19
Transplant outside: Apr 12 to May 3
Plant for fall: Oct 31 to Dec 5
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Lewes, DE
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 4 – Jan 18 | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 18 – Feb 1 | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 18 – Feb 1 | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 1 – Feb 15 | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 1 – Feb 15 | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | Mar 1 – Apr 5 | Sep 19 – Oct 17 |
| Kale | Feb 1 – Feb 15 | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | Sep 5 – Sep 26 |
| Broccoli | Feb 1 – Feb 15 | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | — | Aug 8 – Aug 29 |
| Cabbage | Feb 1 – Feb 15 | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | — | Aug 8 – Aug 29 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 1 – Feb 15 | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | — | Aug 8 – Aug 29 |
| Okra | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | Apr 19 – May 3 | Apr 19 – May 3 | — |
| Basil | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 15 – Mar 8 | Aug 22 – Sep 12 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 15 – Mar 8 | Sep 19 – Oct 10 |
| Radishes | — | — | Feb 22 – Apr 5 | Oct 3 – Oct 24 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 1 – Mar 8 | Apr 12 – Apr 19 | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | Aug 29 – Sep 12 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 1 – Mar 8 | — | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | Sep 5 – Sep 19 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 1 – Mar 8 | — | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 1 – Mar 8 | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 8 – Apr 5 | Aug 22 – Sep 5 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 8 – Apr 5 | Sep 5 – Sep 19 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 8 – Mar 29 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 15 – Apr 12 | Sep 5 – Sep 19 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 15 – Apr 5 | Sep 19 – Oct 10 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 5 – Apr 26 | Aug 29 – Sep 12 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 12 – May 3 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 31 – Dec 5 |
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 Lewes, DE weather station, 5 km away (elevation 10 ft (3 m)).
Frost dates near Lewes
- Nassau Mar 29 · Nov 14
- Harbeson Apr 4 · Nov 6
- Rehoboth Beach Mar 29 · Nov 14
- Millsboro Apr 4 · Nov 6
- Milton Apr 4 · Nov 6
- Georgetown Apr 4 · Nov 6
- Dagsboro Apr 4 · Nov 6
- Ocean View Mar 29 · Nov 14
- Millville Apr 4 · Nov 6
- Ellendale Apr 4 · Nov 6
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Lewes, DE?
The median last spring frost in Lewes, DE is March 29. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 9, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Lewes, DE?
The median first fall frost is November 14, with about a 10% chance of frost before November 1.
How long is the growing season in Lewes, DE?
About 230 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Lewes, DE?
Lewes, DE is in USDA hardiness zone 7b.