Delaware, NJ frost dates
Last spring frostApr 30median date
First fall frostOct 18median date
Growing season171 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone7aZone 7a
How Delaware compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Delaware falls between April 15 and May 18, a 33-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 3 and November 1.
- The median last frost is 14 days later than the New Jersey median of Apr 16.
- Its 171-day growing season is longer than 3% of the 582 New Jersey places with a regular frost season (state median 194 days).
- The last frost is 14 days later than the zone 7a median of Apr 16. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 7a chart.
- The weather station records an average of 135 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Bethlehem, PA, 39 km away, the last frost here is 10 days later than there and the growing season is 16 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 15 |
| 50% (median) | April 30 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 18 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 3 |
| 50% (median) | October 18 |
| 90% (late) | November 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 Delaware, NJ
Delaware, NJ frost dates — last frost Apr 30, first frost Oct 18, zone 7a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Feb 5 to Feb 19Transplant outside: Apr 2 to Apr 16
Start indoors: Feb 19 to Mar 5Transplant outside: May 14 to May 28
Start indoors: Feb 19 to Mar 5Transplant outside: May 14 to May 28
Start indoors: Mar 5 to Mar 19Transplant outside: May 7 to May 21
Start indoors: Mar 5 to Mar 19Transplant outside: Apr 9 to Apr 23Sow outdoors: Apr 2 to May 7Plant for fall: Aug 23 to Sep 20
Start indoors: Mar 5 to Mar 19Transplant outside: Apr 2 to Apr 16Sow outdoors: Apr 2 to Apr 16Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Aug 30
Start indoors: Mar 5 to Mar 19Transplant outside: Apr 16 to Apr 30Plant for fall: Jul 12 to Aug 2
Start indoors: Mar 5 to Mar 19Transplant outside: Apr 9 to Apr 23Plant for fall: Jul 12 to Aug 2
Start indoors: Mar 5 to Mar 19Transplant outside: Apr 16 to Apr 30Plant for fall: Jul 12 to Aug 2
Start indoors: Mar 19 to Apr 2Transplant outside: May 21 to Jun 4Sow outdoors: May 21 to Jun 4
Start indoors: Mar 19 to Apr 2Transplant outside: May 7 to May 21
Sow outdoors: Mar 19 to Apr 9Plant for fall: Jul 26 to Aug 16
Sow outdoors: Mar 19 to Apr 9Plant for fall: Aug 23 to Sep 13
Sow outdoors: Mar 26 to May 7Plant for fall: Sep 6 to Sep 27
Start indoors: Apr 2 to Apr 9Transplant outside: May 14 to May 21Sow outdoors: May 7 to May 21Plant for fall: Aug 2 to Aug 16
Start indoors: Apr 2 to Apr 9Sow outdoors: May 7 to May 21Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Aug 23
Start indoors: Apr 2 to Apr 9Sow outdoors: May 7 to May 21
Start indoors: Apr 2 to Apr 9Transplant outside: May 14 to May 28
Sow outdoors: Apr 9 to May 7Plant for fall: Jul 26 to Aug 9
Sow outdoors: Apr 9 to May 7Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Aug 23
Sow outdoors: Apr 9 to Apr 30
Sow outdoors: Apr 16 to May 14Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Aug 23
Sow outdoors: Apr 16 to May 7Plant for fall: Aug 23 to Sep 13
Sow outdoors: May 7 to May 28Plant for fall: Aug 2 to Aug 16
Sow outdoors: May 7 to May 21
Transplant outside: May 14 to Jun 4
Plant for fall: Oct 4 to Nov 8
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Delaware, NJ
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 5 – Feb 19 | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | May 14 – May 28 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | May 14 – May 28 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | May 7 – May 21 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | Apr 9 – Apr 23 | Apr 2 – May 7 | Aug 23 – Sep 20 |
| Kale | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | Aug 9 – Aug 30 |
| Broccoli | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | Apr 16 – Apr 30 | — | Jul 12 – Aug 2 |
| Cabbage | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | Apr 9 – Apr 23 | — | Jul 12 – Aug 2 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | Apr 16 – Apr 30 | — | Jul 12 – Aug 2 |
| Okra | Mar 19 – Apr 2 | May 21 – Jun 4 | May 21 – Jun 4 | — |
| Basil | Mar 19 – Apr 2 | May 7 – May 21 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 19 – Apr 9 | Jul 26 – Aug 16 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 19 – Apr 9 | Aug 23 – Sep 13 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 26 – May 7 | Sep 6 – Sep 27 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 2 – Apr 9 | May 14 – May 21 | May 7 – May 21 | Aug 2 – Aug 16 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 2 – Apr 9 | — | May 7 – May 21 | Aug 9 – Aug 23 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 2 – Apr 9 | — | May 7 – May 21 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 2 – Apr 9 | May 14 – May 28 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 9 – May 7 | Jul 26 – Aug 9 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 9 – May 7 | Aug 9 – Aug 23 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 9 – Apr 30 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 16 – May 14 | Aug 9 – Aug 23 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 16 – May 7 | Aug 23 – Sep 13 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 7 – May 28 | Aug 2 – Aug 16 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 7 – May 21 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 14 – Jun 4 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 4 – Nov 8 |
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 Belvidere Brg, NJ weather station, 7 km away (elevation 262 ft (80 m)).
Frost dates near Delaware
- Columbia Apr 30 · Oct 18
- Belvidere Apr 30 · Oct 18
- Hope Apr 30 · Oct 18
- Buttzville Apr 30 · Oct 18
- Oxford Apr 30 · Oct 18
- Great Meadows Apr 30 · Oct 18
- Blairstown Apr 30 · Oct 18
- Vienna Apr 30 · Oct 18
- Washington Apr 30 · Oct 18
- Port Murray Apr 30 · Oct 18
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Delaware, NJ?
The median last spring frost in Delaware, NJ is April 30. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 18, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Delaware, NJ?
The median first fall frost is October 18, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 3.
How long is the growing season in Delaware, NJ?
About 171 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Delaware, NJ?
Delaware, NJ is in USDA hardiness zone 7a.