Frost Dates for Hockessin, DE 19707
Last spring frost April 18 · First fall frost October 24 · 189 frost-free days · USDA Zone 7a
ZIP 19707 has about 17,400 people.
Long season: 189 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans March 31–April 29 (29 days). Fall frost risk spans October 10–November 7 (28 days).
Frost probability for 19707
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | April 29 | April 18 | March 31 |
| Fall (first frost) | October 10 | October 24 | November 7 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at NEWARK AG FARM (14.1 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 189-day season in Hockessin
In Hockessin (189 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 14 | May 2–May 9 | 147 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 147 available after May 2. | Jun 24 |
| Pepper | Mar 7 | May 2–May 9 | 147 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 147 available after May 2. | Jun 29 |
| Lettuce | Feb 21 | Mar 21–Mar 28 | 224 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 21 and again by Sep 2; both mature before Oct 31. | Sep 2 |
| Carrots | — | Mar 28–Apr 4 | 231 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 231 available after Mar 28. | Aug 22 |
| Cucumber | Mar 28 | May 2–May 9 | 161 | two-plantings: Plant May 2 and again by Jul 28; both mature before Oct 10. | Jul 28 |
| Beans | — | Apr 25–May 9 | 175 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 25 and again by Aug 4; both mature before Oct 17. | Aug 4 |
| Peas | — | Feb 21–May 2 | 252 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 252 available after Feb 21. | Aug 13 |
| Zucchini | Apr 4 | May 2–May 9 | 161 | two-plantings: Plant May 2 and again by Aug 2; both mature before Oct 10. | Aug 2 |
| Onion | Jan 24 | Mar 21–Apr 4 | 224 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 224 available after Mar 21. | — |
| Spinach | — | Feb 21–Apr 11 | 266 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 21 and again by Sep 21; both mature before Nov 14. | Sep 21 |
| Kale | Feb 7 | Mar 21–Apr 4 | 238 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 21 and again by Sep 6; both mature before Nov 14. | Sep 6 |
| Broccoli | Feb 21 | Mar 21–Apr 4 | 224 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 224 available after Mar 21. | Jul 29 |
| Cabbage | Feb 21 | Mar 21–Apr 4 | 238 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 238 available after Mar 21. | Aug 22 |
| Radish | — | Feb 21–May 16 | 252 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 21 and again by Sep 22; both mature before Oct 31. | Sep 22 |
| Beets | — | Feb 21–May 16 | 252 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 21 and again by Aug 23; both mature before Oct 31. | Aug 23 |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 4–Apr 11 | 210 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 210 available after Apr 4. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 24 | 294 | overwinter: Plant Oct 24 to Nov 14; harvest the following summer. | Nov 14 |
| Strawberry | — | Mar 14–May 9 | 245 | perennial: A perennial: plant Mar 14; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Mar 21 | Apr 25–May 2 | 161 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 161 available after Apr 25. | Jul 6 |
| Pumpkin | Apr 4 | May 2–May 2 | 154 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 154 available after May 2. | Jun 11 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 7 | Apr 11–Apr 25 | 203 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 203 available after Apr 11. | Aug 3 |
| Swiss Chard | Feb 21 | Apr 4–Apr 4 | 210 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 4 and again by Aug 23; both mature before Oct 31. | Aug 23 |
| Arugula | — | Feb 21–May 16 | 266 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 21 and again by Sep 21; both mature before Nov 14. | Sep 21 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Feb 21 | Mar 21–Apr 4 | 238 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 238 available after Mar 21. | Jul 23 |
| Butternut Squash | Apr 4 | May 2–May 9 | 154 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 154 available after May 2. | Jun 11 |
| Eggplant | Feb 28 | May 2–May 9 | 147 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 147 available after May 2. | Jul 4 |
| Okra | Mar 21 | Apr 25–May 2 | 168 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 25 and again by Aug 2; both mature before Oct 10. | Aug 2 |
| Basil | Mar 14 | May 9–May 9 | 154 | two-plantings: Plant May 9 and again by Jul 28; both mature before Oct 10. | Jul 28 |
| Cilantro | — | Mar 21–Apr 11 | 224 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 21 and again by Aug 28; both mature before Oct 31. | Aug 28 |
| Parsley | Feb 7 | Apr 25–May 2 | 189 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 189 available after Apr 25. | Aug 8 |
| Celery | Feb 7 | Apr 25–May 9 | 189 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 189 available after Apr 25. | Jun 19 |
| Scallions | Feb 7 | Mar 21–Apr 4 | 238 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 21 and again by Sep 1; both mature before Nov 14. | Sep 1 |
| Turnip | — | Mar 21–Apr 4 | 238 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 21 and again by Sep 11; both mature before Nov 14. | Sep 11 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 7–Mar 21 | 252 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 7 and again by Sep 6; both mature before Nov 14. | Sep 6 |
| Bok Choy | Mar 21 | Apr 11–Apr 18 | 203 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 11 and again by Sep 2; both mature before Oct 31. | Sep 2 |
| Collards | Feb 7 | Mar 21–Apr 4 | 238 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 21 and again by Sep 1; both mature before Nov 14. | Sep 1 |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 4 | May 2–May 9 | 147 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 147 available after May 2. | Jun 19 |
| Chives | Jan 24 | Apr 25–May 2 | 203 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 203 available after Apr 25. | — |
| Dill | — | Feb 21–May 16 | 252 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 21 and again by Aug 23; both mature before Oct 31. | Aug 23 |
| Oregano | Feb 7 | Apr 25–May 2 | 203 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 203 available after Apr 25. | — |
| Rosemary | Jan 24 | Apr 25–May 2 | 189 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 189 available after Apr 25. | — |
| Sage | Feb 21 | Apr 25–May 2 | 203 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 203 available after Apr 25. | — |
| Thyme | Feb 7 | Apr 25–May 2 | 203 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 203 available after Apr 25. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 7 | Apr 4–Apr 18 | 210 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 4 and again by Aug 28; both mature before Oct 31. | Aug 28 |
| Cosmos | Mar 21 | Apr 18–May 2 | 175 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 18 and again by Jul 28; both mature before Oct 10. | Jul 28 |
| Lavender | Jan 24 | Apr 18–May 2 | 210 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 210 available after Apr 18. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 7 | Apr 18–Apr 25 | 175 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 18 and again by Aug 7; both mature before Oct 10. | Aug 7 |
| Melons | Apr 4 | May 2–May 9 | 147 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 147 available after May 2. | Jun 19 |
| Mint | — | Apr 18–May 2 | 210 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 210 available after Apr 18. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Mar 21 | Apr 18–Apr 25 | 175 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 18 and again by Aug 2; both mature before Oct 10. | Aug 2 |
| Pole Beans | — | Apr 25–May 9 | 168 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 168 available after Apr 25. | Jul 23 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Apr 4 | May 2–May 9 | 154 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 154 available after May 2. | Jun 21 |
| Sunflowers | — | Apr 18–May 2 | 175 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 175 available after Apr 18. | Jul 18 |
| Tomatillos | Feb 21 | Apr 25–May 2 | 154 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 154 available after Apr 25. | Jun 29 |
| Watermelon | Apr 4 | Apr 25–May 2 | 154 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 154 available after Apr 25. | Jun 24 |
| Yellow Squash | Apr 4 | May 2–May 9 | 161 | two-plantings: Plant May 2 and again by Aug 2; both mature before Oct 10. | Aug 2 |
| Zinnias | Mar 21 | Apr 18–May 2 | 175 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 18 and again by Jul 28; both mature before Oct 10. | Jul 28 |
Month by month in Hockessin
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Chives (Jan 24), Lavender (Jan 24), Onion (Jan 24), Rosemary (Jan 24). |
| February | Start indoors: Celery (Feb 7), Collards (Feb 7), Kale (Feb 7), Oregano (Feb 7), Parsley (Feb 7), Scallions (Feb 7), +9 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Feb 21), Beets (Feb 21), Dill (Feb 21), Peas (Feb 21), Radish (Feb 21), Spinach (Feb 21). |
| March | Start indoors: Calendula (Mar 7), Cauliflower (Mar 7), Marigolds (Mar 7), Pepper (Mar 7), Basil (Mar 14), Tomato (Mar 14), +7 more. Direct sow from: Kohlrabi (Mar 7), Cilantro (Mar 21), Turnip (Mar 21), Carrots (Mar 28). Transplant from: Broccoli (Mar 21), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 21), Cabbage (Mar 21), Collards (Mar 21), Kale (Mar 21), Lettuce (Mar 21), +2 more. Plant: Strawberry (Mar 14). |
| April | Start indoors: Butternut Squash (Apr 4), Cantaloupe (Apr 4), Melons (Apr 4), Pumpkin (Apr 4), Spaghetti Squash (Apr 4), Watermelon (Apr 4), +2 more. Direct sow from: Potatoes (Apr 4), Sunflowers (Apr 18), Beans (Apr 25), Pole Beans (Apr 25). Transplant from: Calendula (Apr 4), Swiss Chard (Apr 4), Bok Choy (Apr 11), Cauliflower (Apr 11), Cosmos (Apr 18), Lavender (Apr 18), +15 more. Last frost around April 18. |
| May | Transplant from: Butternut Squash (May 2), Cantaloupe (May 2), Cucumber (May 2), Eggplant (May 2), Melons (May 2), Pepper (May 2), +6 more. |
| 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 Hockessin, DE (ZIP 19707)?
The median last spring frost date for Hockessin, DE (ZIP code 19707) is around April 18. 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 March 31; one in ten it runs past April 29.
What is the first fall frost date in Hockessin, DE?
The median first fall frost date for Hockessin, 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 Hockessin, DE?
The frost-free growing season in Hockessin is about 189 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 Hockessin (189 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 Hockessin, DE?
Hockessin, DE is in USDA hardiness zone 7a (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 Hockessin, DE?
Start tomatoes indoors Mar 14 and plant out May 2 in Hockessin. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Hockessin?
Two: plant Mar 21 and again by Sep 2; both mature before Oct 31.
When do I plant garlic in Hockessin?
Oct 24 to Nov 14; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Hockessin?
Yes: plant out May 2 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?
Wilmington (ZIP 19805) has 203 frost-free days, 14 more than Hockessin (ZIP 19707). See Wilmington ZIP 19805 frost dates
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