Frost dates for 19801 — Wilmington, DE
Last spring frostApr 7median date
First fall frostNov 4median date
Growing season211 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone7bZone 7b
How Wilmington compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Wilmington falls between March 26 and April 24, a 29-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 21 and November 19.
- The median last frost is 3 days later than the Delaware median of Apr 4.
- Its 211-day growing season is longer than 39% 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 87 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Camden, NJ, 44 km away, the last frost here is 8 days later than there and the growing season is 21 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 26 |
| 50% (median) | April 7 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 24 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 21 |
| 50% (median) | November 4 |
| 90% (late) | November 19 |
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 Wilmington, DE
Frost dates for 19801 — Wilmington, DE — last frost Apr 7, first frost Nov 4, zone 7b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 13 to Jan 27Transplant outside: Mar 10 to Mar 24
Start indoors: Jan 27 to Feb 10Transplant outside: Apr 21 to May 5
Start indoors: Jan 27 to Feb 10Transplant outside: Apr 21 to May 5
Start indoors: Feb 10 to Feb 24Transplant outside: Apr 14 to Apr 28
Start indoors: Feb 10 to Feb 24Transplant outside: Mar 17 to Mar 31Sow outdoors: Mar 10 to Apr 14Plant for fall: Sep 9 to Oct 7
Start indoors: Feb 10 to Feb 24Transplant outside: Mar 10 to Mar 24Sow outdoors: Mar 10 to Mar 24Plant for fall: Aug 26 to Sep 16
Start indoors: Feb 10 to Feb 24Transplant outside: Mar 24 to Apr 7Plant for fall: Jul 29 to Aug 19
Start indoors: Feb 10 to Feb 24Transplant outside: Mar 17 to Mar 31Plant for fall: Jul 29 to Aug 19
Start indoors: Feb 10 to Feb 24Transplant outside: Mar 24 to Apr 7Plant for fall: Jul 29 to Aug 19
Start indoors: Feb 24 to Mar 10Transplant outside: Apr 28 to May 12Sow outdoors: Apr 28 to May 12
Start indoors: Feb 24 to Mar 10Transplant outside: Apr 14 to Apr 28
Sow outdoors: Feb 24 to Mar 17Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Sep 2
Sow outdoors: Feb 24 to Mar 17Plant for fall: Sep 9 to Sep 30
Sow outdoors: Mar 3 to Apr 14Plant for fall: Sep 23 to Oct 14
Start indoors: Mar 10 to Mar 17Transplant outside: Apr 21 to Apr 28Sow outdoors: Apr 14 to Apr 28Plant for fall: Aug 19 to Sep 2
Start indoors: Mar 10 to Mar 17Sow outdoors: Apr 14 to Apr 28Plant for fall: Aug 26 to Sep 9
Start indoors: Mar 10 to Mar 17Sow outdoors: Apr 14 to Apr 28
Start indoors: Mar 10 to Mar 17Transplant outside: Apr 21 to May 5
Sow outdoors: Mar 17 to Apr 14Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Aug 26
Sow outdoors: Mar 17 to Apr 14Plant for fall: Aug 26 to Sep 9
Sow outdoors: Mar 17 to Apr 7
Sow outdoors: Mar 24 to Apr 21Plant for fall: Aug 26 to Sep 9
Sow outdoors: Mar 24 to Apr 14Plant for fall: Sep 9 to Sep 30
Sow outdoors: Apr 14 to May 5Plant for fall: Aug 19 to Sep 2
Sow outdoors: Apr 14 to Apr 28
Transplant outside: Apr 21 to May 12
Plant for fall: Oct 21 to Nov 25
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Wilmington, DE
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 13 – Jan 27 | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 27 – Feb 10 | Apr 21 – May 5 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 27 – Feb 10 | Apr 21 – May 5 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 10 – Feb 24 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 10 – Feb 24 | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | Mar 10 – Apr 14 | Sep 9 – Oct 7 |
| Kale | Feb 10 – Feb 24 | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | Aug 26 – Sep 16 |
| Broccoli | Feb 10 – Feb 24 | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | — | Jul 29 – Aug 19 |
| Cabbage | Feb 10 – Feb 24 | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | — | Jul 29 – Aug 19 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 10 – Feb 24 | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | — | Jul 29 – Aug 19 |
| Okra | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | Apr 28 – May 12 | Apr 28 – May 12 | — |
| Basil | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 24 – Mar 17 | Aug 12 – Sep 2 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 24 – Mar 17 | Sep 9 – Sep 30 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 3 – Apr 14 | Sep 23 – Oct 14 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 10 – Mar 17 | Apr 21 – Apr 28 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | Aug 19 – Sep 2 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 10 – Mar 17 | — | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | Aug 26 – Sep 9 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 10 – Mar 17 | — | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 10 – Mar 17 | Apr 21 – May 5 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 17 – Apr 14 | Aug 12 – Aug 26 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 17 – Apr 14 | Aug 26 – Sep 9 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 17 – Apr 7 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 24 – Apr 21 | Aug 26 – Sep 9 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 24 – Apr 14 | Sep 9 – Sep 30 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 14 – May 5 | Aug 19 – Sep 2 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 21 – May 12 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 21 – Nov 25 |
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 Wilmington Porter Rsch, DE weather station, 4 km away (elevation 269 ft (82 m)).
ZIP codes in Wilmington: 19801 19802 19803 19804 19805 19806 19807 19808 19809 19810 19850 19880 19884 19885 19886 19890 19891 19892 19893 19894 19895 19896 19897 19898 19899
Frost dates near Wilmington
- Rockland Apr 7 · Nov 4
- Montchanin Apr 7 · Nov 4
- Winterthur Apr 7 · Nov 4
- Claymont Mar 30 · Nov 16
- Hockessin Apr 19 · Oct 26
- Yorklyn Apr 19 · Oct 26
- New Castle Apr 7 · Nov 1
- Newark Apr 7 · Nov 1
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Wilmington, DE?
The median last spring frost in Wilmington, DE is April 7. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 24, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Wilmington, DE?
The median first fall frost is November 4, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 21.
How long is the growing season in Wilmington, DE?
About 211 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Wilmington, DE?
Wilmington, DE is in USDA hardiness zone 7b.