Frost Dates for Bear, DE 19701
Last spring frost April 16 · First fall frost October 24 · 191 frost-free days · USDA Zone 7b
ZIP 19701 has about 43,000 people.
Long season: 191 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 2–April 29 (27 days). Fall frost risk spans October 10–November 7 (28 days).
Frost probability for 19701
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | April 29 | April 16 | April 2 |
| Fall (first frost) | October 10 | October 24 | November 7 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at MILLINGTON 1 SE (37.5 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 191-day season in Bear
In Bear (191 frost-free days, a long season), 30 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 25 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant out / sow | Days you have | Verdict | Last sow date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Mar 12 | Apr 30–May 7 | 149 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 149 available after Apr 30. | Jun 24 |
| Pepper | Mar 5 | Apr 30–May 7 | 149 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 149 available after Apr 30. | Jun 29 |
| Lettuce | Feb 19 | Mar 19–Mar 26 | 226 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 19 and again by Sep 2; both mature before Oct 31. | Sep 2 |
| Carrots | — | Mar 26–Apr 2 | 233 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 233 available after Mar 26. | Aug 22 |
| Cucumber | Mar 26 | Apr 30–May 7 | 163 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 30 and again by Jul 28; both mature before Oct 10. | Jul 28 |
| Beans | — | Apr 23–May 7 | 177 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 23 and again by Aug 4; both mature before Oct 17. | Aug 4 |
| Peas | — | Feb 19–Apr 30 | 254 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 254 available after Feb 19. | Aug 13 |
| Zucchini | Apr 2 | Apr 30–May 7 | 163 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 30 and again by Aug 2; both mature before Oct 10. | Aug 2 |
| Onion | Jan 22 | Mar 19–Apr 2 | 226 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 226 available after Mar 19. | — |
| Spinach | — | Feb 19–Apr 9 | 268 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 19 and again by Sep 21; both mature before Nov 14. | Sep 21 |
| Kale | Feb 5 | Mar 19–Apr 2 | 240 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 19 and again by Sep 6; both mature before Nov 14. | Sep 6 |
| Broccoli | Feb 19 | Mar 19–Apr 2 | 226 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 226 available after Mar 19. | Jul 29 |
| Cabbage | Feb 19 | Mar 19–Apr 2 | 240 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 240 available after Mar 19. | Aug 22 |
| Radish | — | Feb 19–May 14 | 254 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 19 and again by Sep 22; both mature before Oct 31. | Sep 22 |
| Beets | — | Feb 19–May 14 | 254 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 19 and again by Aug 23; both mature before Oct 31. | Aug 23 |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 2–Apr 9 | 212 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 212 available after Apr 2. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 24 | 296 | overwinter: Plant Oct 24 to Nov 14; harvest the following summer. | Nov 14 |
| Strawberry | — | Mar 12–May 7 | 247 | perennial: A perennial: plant Mar 12; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Mar 19 | Apr 23–Apr 30 | 163 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 163 available after Apr 23. | Jul 6 |
| Pumpkin | Apr 2 | Apr 30–Apr 30 | 156 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 156 available after Apr 30. | Jun 11 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 5 | Apr 9–Apr 23 | 205 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 205 available after Apr 9. | Aug 3 |
| Swiss Chard | Feb 19 | Apr 2–Apr 2 | 212 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 2 and again by Aug 23; both mature before Oct 31. | Aug 23 |
| Arugula | — | Feb 19–May 14 | 268 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 19 and again by Sep 21; both mature before Nov 14. | Sep 21 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Feb 19 | Mar 19–Apr 2 | 240 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 240 available after Mar 19. | Jul 23 |
| Butternut Squash | Apr 2 | Apr 30–May 7 | 156 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 156 available after Apr 30. | Jun 11 |
| Eggplant | Feb 26 | Apr 30–May 7 | 149 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 149 available after Apr 30. | Jul 4 |
| Okra | Mar 19 | Apr 23–Apr 30 | 170 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 23 and again by Aug 2; both mature before Oct 10. | Aug 2 |
| Basil | Mar 12 | May 7–May 7 | 156 | two-plantings: Plant May 7 and again by Jul 28; both mature before Oct 10. | Jul 28 |
| Cilantro | — | Mar 19–Apr 9 | 226 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 19 and again by Aug 28; both mature before Oct 31. | Aug 28 |
| Parsley | Feb 5 | Apr 23–Apr 30 | 191 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 191 available after Apr 23. | Aug 8 |
| Celery | Feb 5 | Apr 23–May 7 | 191 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 191 available after Apr 23. | Jun 19 |
| Scallions | Feb 5 | Mar 19–Apr 2 | 240 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 19 and again by Sep 1; both mature before Nov 14. | Sep 1 |
| Turnip | — | Mar 19–Apr 2 | 240 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 19 and again by Sep 11; both mature before Nov 14. | Sep 11 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 5–Mar 19 | 254 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 5 and again by Sep 6; both mature before Nov 14. | Sep 6 |
| Bok Choy | Mar 19 | Apr 9–Apr 16 | 205 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 9 and again by Sep 2; both mature before Oct 31. | Sep 2 |
| Collards | Feb 5 | Mar 19–Apr 2 | 240 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 19 and again by Sep 1; both mature before Nov 14. | Sep 1 |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 2 | Apr 30–May 7 | 149 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 149 available after Apr 30. | Jun 19 |
| Chives | Jan 22 | Apr 23–Apr 30 | 205 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 205 available after Apr 23. | — |
| Dill | — | Feb 19–May 14 | 254 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 19 and again by Aug 23; both mature before Oct 31. | Aug 23 |
| Oregano | Feb 5 | Apr 23–Apr 30 | 205 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 205 available after Apr 23. | — |
| Rosemary | Jan 22 | Apr 23–Apr 30 | 191 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 191 available after Apr 23. | — |
| Sage | Feb 19 | Apr 23–Apr 30 | 205 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 205 available after Apr 23. | — |
| Thyme | Feb 5 | Apr 23–Apr 30 | 205 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 205 available after Apr 23. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 5 | Apr 2–Apr 16 | 212 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 2 and again by Aug 28; both mature before Oct 31. | Aug 28 |
| Cosmos | Mar 19 | Apr 16–Apr 30 | 177 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 16 and again by Jul 28; both mature before Oct 10. | Jul 28 |
| Lavender | Jan 22 | Apr 16–Apr 30 | 212 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 212 available after Apr 16. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 5 | Apr 16–Apr 23 | 177 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 16 and again by Aug 7; both mature before Oct 10. | Aug 7 |
| Melons | Apr 2 | Apr 30–May 7 | 149 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 149 available after Apr 30. | Jun 19 |
| Mint | — | Apr 16–Apr 30 | 212 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 212 available after Apr 16. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Mar 19 | Apr 16–Apr 23 | 177 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 16 and again by Aug 2; both mature before Oct 10. | Aug 2 |
| Pole Beans | — | Apr 23–May 7 | 170 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 170 available after Apr 23. | Jul 23 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Apr 2 | Apr 30–May 7 | 156 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 156 available after Apr 30. | Jun 21 |
| Sunflowers | — | Apr 16–Apr 30 | 177 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 177 available after Apr 16. | Jul 18 |
| Tomatillos | Feb 19 | Apr 23–Apr 30 | 156 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 156 available after Apr 23. | Jun 29 |
| Watermelon | Apr 2 | Apr 23–Apr 30 | 156 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 156 available after Apr 23. | Jun 24 |
| Yellow Squash | Apr 2 | Apr 30–May 7 | 163 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 30 and again by Aug 2; both mature before Oct 10. | Aug 2 |
| Zinnias | Mar 19 | Apr 16–Apr 30 | 177 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 16 and again by Jul 28; both mature before Oct 10. | Jul 28 |
Month by month in Bear
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Chives (Jan 22), Lavender (Jan 22), Onion (Jan 22), Rosemary (Jan 22). |
| February | Start indoors: Celery (Feb 5), Collards (Feb 5), Kale (Feb 5), Oregano (Feb 5), Parsley (Feb 5), Scallions (Feb 5), +9 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Feb 19), Beets (Feb 19), Dill (Feb 19), Peas (Feb 19), Radish (Feb 19), Spinach (Feb 19). |
| March | Start indoors: Calendula (Mar 5), Cauliflower (Mar 5), Marigolds (Mar 5), Pepper (Mar 5), Basil (Mar 12), Tomato (Mar 12), +7 more. Direct sow from: Kohlrabi (Mar 5), Cilantro (Mar 19), Turnip (Mar 19), Carrots (Mar 26). Transplant from: Broccoli (Mar 19), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 19), Cabbage (Mar 19), Collards (Mar 19), Kale (Mar 19), Lettuce (Mar 19), +2 more. Plant: Strawberry (Mar 12). |
| April | Start indoors: Butternut Squash (Apr 2), Cantaloupe (Apr 2), Melons (Apr 2), Pumpkin (Apr 2), Spaghetti Squash (Apr 2), Watermelon (Apr 2), +2 more. Direct sow from: Potatoes (Apr 2), Sunflowers (Apr 16), Beans (Apr 23), Pole Beans (Apr 23). Transplant from: Calendula (Apr 2), Swiss Chard (Apr 2), Bok Choy (Apr 9), Cauliflower (Apr 9), Cosmos (Apr 16), Lavender (Apr 16), +26 more. Last frost around April 16. |
| May | Transplant from: Basil (May 7). |
| June | Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jun 11), Pumpkin (Jun 11), Cantaloupe (Jun 19), Celery (Jun 19), Melons (Jun 19), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 21), +4 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Eggplant (Jul 4), Corn (Jul 6), Sunflowers (Jul 18), Brussel Sprouts (Jul 23), Pole Beans (Jul 23), Basil (Jul 28), +4 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Nasturtiums (Aug 2), Okra (Aug 2), Yellow Squash (Aug 2), Zucchini (Aug 2), Cauliflower (Aug 3), Beans (Aug 4), +10 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Collards (Sep 1), Scallions (Sep 1), Bok Choy (Sep 2), Lettuce (Sep 2), Kale (Sep 6), Kohlrabi (Sep 6), +4 more. |
| October | Direct sow from: Garlic (Oct 24). First frost around October 24. |
| November | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Nov 14). |
| December | Clean up spent plants. Add compost to beds. Rest, review, and plan next year's garden. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last frost date for Bear, DE (ZIP 19701)?
The median last spring frost date for Bear, DE (ZIP code 19701) is around April 16. This is the 50th-percentile date — meaning half of all years see frost end before this date. Use the 10% and 90% dates to understand the full range of risk in your area. One year in ten frost ends before April 2; one in ten it runs past April 29.
What is the first fall frost date in Bear, DE?
The median first fall frost date for Bear, DE is around October 24. Plan to harvest or protect frost-sensitive crops like tomatoes and peppers at least a week before this date to avoid losses. The first frost arrives around October 10 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Bear, DE?
The frost-free growing season in Bear is about 191 days. This window — from your last spring frost to your first fall frost — is when warm-season vegetables thrive. Cold-hardy crops like kale, spinach, and peas can extend your season by weeks on either side. In Bear (191 frost-free days, a long season), 30 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 25 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is Bear, DE?
Bear, DE is in USDA hardiness zone 7b (2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map). Zones come from the average coldest winter temperature, so they tell you which perennials survive the winter; the frost dates on this page tell you when to plant.
When should I start tomatoes indoors in Bear, DE?
Start tomatoes indoors Mar 12 and plant out Apr 30 in Bear. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Bear?
Two: plant Mar 19 and again by Sep 2; both mature before Oct 31.
When do I plant garlic in Bear?
Oct 24 to Nov 14; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Bear?
Yes: plant out Apr 30 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Jun 24 for a fall crop.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
New Castle (ZIP 19720) has 203 frost-free days, 12 more than Bear (ZIP 19701). See New Castle ZIP 19720 frost dates
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