Frost Dates for Milford, DE 19963
Last spring frost April 8 · First fall frost October 30 · 205 frost-free days · USDA Zone 7b
ZIP 19963 has about 23,500 people.
Long season: 205 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans March 24–April 20 (27 days). Fall frost risk spans October 14–November 16 (33 days).
Frost probability for 19963
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | April 20 | April 8 | March 24 |
| Fall (first frost) | October 14 | October 30 | November 16 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at DOVER (26.1 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 205-day season in Milford
In Milford (205 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 4 | Apr 22–Apr 29 | 163 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 163 available after Apr 22. | Jun 30 |
| Pepper | Feb 25 | Apr 22–Apr 29 | 163 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 163 available after Apr 22. | Jul 5 |
| Lettuce | Feb 11 | Mar 11–Mar 18 | 240 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 11 and again by Sep 8; both mature before Nov 6. | Sep 8 |
| Carrots | — | Mar 18–Mar 25 | 247 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 247 available after Mar 18. | Aug 28 |
| Cucumber | Mar 18 | Apr 22–Apr 29 | 177 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 22 and again by Aug 3; both mature before Oct 16. | Aug 3 |
| Beans | — | Apr 15–Apr 29 | 191 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 15 and again by Aug 10; both mature before Oct 23. | Aug 10 |
| Peas | — | Feb 11–Apr 22 | 268 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 268 available after Feb 11. | Aug 19 |
| Zucchini | Mar 25 | Apr 22–Apr 29 | 177 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 22 and again by Aug 8; both mature before Oct 16. | Aug 8 |
| Onion | Jan 14 | Mar 11–Mar 25 | 240 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 240 available after Mar 11. | — |
| Spinach | — | Feb 11–Apr 1 | 282 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 11 and again by Sep 27; both mature before Nov 20. | Sep 27 |
| Kale | Jan 28 | Mar 11–Mar 25 | 254 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 11 and again by Sep 12; both mature before Nov 20. | Sep 12 |
| Broccoli | Feb 11 | Mar 11–Mar 25 | 240 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 240 available after Mar 11. | Aug 4 |
| Cabbage | Feb 11 | Mar 11–Mar 25 | 254 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 254 available after Mar 11. | Aug 28 |
| Radish | — | Feb 11–May 6 | 268 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 11 and again by Sep 28; both mature before Nov 6. | Sep 28 |
| Beets | — | Feb 11–May 6 | 268 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 11 and again by Aug 29; both mature before Nov 6. | Aug 29 |
| Potatoes | — | Mar 25–Apr 1 | 226 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 226 available after Mar 25. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 30 | 310 | overwinter: Plant Oct 30 to Nov 20; harvest the following summer. | Nov 20 |
| Strawberry | — | Mar 4–Apr 29 | 261 | perennial: A perennial: plant Mar 4; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Mar 11 | Apr 15–Apr 22 | 177 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 177 available after Apr 15. | Jul 12 |
| Pumpkin | Mar 25 | Apr 22–Apr 22 | 170 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 170 available after Apr 22. | Jun 17 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 25 | Apr 1–Apr 15 | 219 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 219 available after Apr 1. | Aug 9 |
| Swiss Chard | Feb 11 | Mar 25–Mar 25 | 226 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 25 and again by Aug 29; both mature before Nov 6. | Aug 29 |
| Arugula | — | Feb 11–May 6 | 282 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 11 and again by Sep 27; both mature before Nov 20. | Sep 27 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Feb 11 | Mar 11–Mar 25 | 254 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 254 available after Mar 11. | Jul 29 |
| Butternut Squash | Mar 25 | Apr 22–Apr 29 | 170 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 170 available after Apr 22. | Jun 17 |
| Eggplant | Feb 18 | Apr 22–Apr 29 | 163 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 163 available after Apr 22. | Jul 10 |
| Okra | Mar 11 | Apr 15–Apr 22 | 184 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 15 and again by Aug 8; both mature before Oct 16. | Aug 8 |
| Basil | Mar 4 | Apr 29–Apr 29 | 170 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 29 and again by Aug 3; both mature before Oct 16. | Aug 3 |
| Cilantro | — | Mar 11–Apr 1 | 240 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 11 and again by Sep 3; both mature before Nov 6. | Sep 3 |
| Parsley | Jan 28 | Apr 15–Apr 22 | 205 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 205 available after Apr 15. | Aug 14 |
| Celery | Jan 28 | Apr 15–Apr 29 | 205 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 205 available after Apr 15. | Jun 25 |
| Scallions | Jan 28 | Mar 11–Mar 25 | 254 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 11 and again by Sep 7; both mature before Nov 20. | Sep 7 |
| Turnip | — | Mar 11–Mar 25 | 254 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 11 and again by Sep 17; both mature before Nov 20. | Sep 17 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Feb 25–Mar 11 | 268 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 25 and again by Sep 12; both mature before Nov 20. | Sep 12 |
| Bok Choy | Mar 11 | Apr 1–Apr 8 | 219 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 1 and again by Sep 8; both mature before Nov 6. | Sep 8 |
| Collards | Jan 28 | Mar 11–Mar 25 | 254 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 11 and again by Sep 7; both mature before Nov 20. | Sep 7 |
| Cantaloupe | Mar 25 | Apr 22–Apr 29 | 163 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 163 available after Apr 22. | Jun 25 |
| Chives | Jan 14 | Apr 15–Apr 22 | 219 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 219 available after Apr 15. | — |
| Dill | — | Feb 11–May 6 | 268 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 11 and again by Aug 29; both mature before Nov 6. | Aug 29 |
| Oregano | Jan 28 | Apr 15–Apr 22 | 219 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 219 available after Apr 15. | — |
| Rosemary | Jan 14 | Apr 15–Apr 22 | 205 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 205 available after Apr 15. | — |
| Sage | Feb 11 | Apr 15–Apr 22 | 219 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 219 available after Apr 15. | — |
| Thyme | Jan 28 | Apr 15–Apr 22 | 219 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 219 available after Apr 15. | — |
| Calendula | Feb 25 | Mar 25–Apr 8 | 226 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 25 and again by Sep 3; both mature before Nov 6. | Sep 3 |
| Cosmos | Mar 11 | Apr 8–Apr 22 | 191 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 8 and again by Aug 3; both mature before Oct 16. | Aug 3 |
| Lavender | Jan 14 | Apr 8–Apr 22 | 226 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 226 available after Apr 8. | — |
| Marigolds | Feb 25 | Apr 8–Apr 15 | 191 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 8 and again by Aug 13; both mature before Oct 16. | Aug 13 |
| Melons | Mar 25 | Apr 22–Apr 29 | 163 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 163 available after Apr 22. | Jun 25 |
| Mint | — | Apr 8–Apr 22 | 226 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 226 available after Apr 8. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Mar 11 | Apr 8–Apr 15 | 191 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 8 and again by Aug 8; both mature before Oct 16. | Aug 8 |
| Pole Beans | — | Apr 15–Apr 29 | 184 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 184 available after Apr 15. | Jul 29 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Mar 25 | Apr 22–Apr 29 | 170 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 170 available after Apr 22. | Jun 27 |
| Sunflowers | — | Apr 8–Apr 22 | 191 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 191 available after Apr 8. | Jul 24 |
| Tomatillos | Feb 11 | Apr 15–Apr 22 | 170 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 170 available after Apr 15. | Jul 5 |
| Watermelon | Mar 25 | Apr 15–Apr 22 | 170 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 170 available after Apr 15. | Jun 30 |
| Yellow Squash | Mar 25 | Apr 22–Apr 29 | 177 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 22 and again by Aug 8; both mature before Oct 16. | Aug 8 |
| Zinnias | Mar 11 | Apr 8–Apr 22 | 191 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 8 and again by Aug 3; both mature before Oct 16. | Aug 3 |
Month by month in Milford
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Chives (Jan 14), Lavender (Jan 14), Onion (Jan 14), Rosemary (Jan 14), Celery (Jan 28), Collards (Jan 28), +5 more. |
| February | Start indoors: Broccoli (Feb 11), Brussel Sprouts (Feb 11), Cabbage (Feb 11), Lettuce (Feb 11), Sage (Feb 11), Swiss Chard (Feb 11), +6 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Feb 11), Beets (Feb 11), Dill (Feb 11), Peas (Feb 11), Radish (Feb 11), Spinach (Feb 11), +1 more. |
| March | Start indoors: Basil (Mar 4), Tomato (Mar 4), Bok Choy (Mar 11), Corn (Mar 11), Cosmos (Mar 11), Nasturtiums (Mar 11), +11 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (Mar 11), Turnip (Mar 11), Carrots (Mar 18), Potatoes (Mar 25). Transplant from: Broccoli (Mar 11), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 11), Cabbage (Mar 11), Collards (Mar 11), Kale (Mar 11), Lettuce (Mar 11), +4 more. Plant: Strawberry (Mar 4). |
| April | Direct sow from: Sunflowers (Apr 8), Beans (Apr 15), Pole Beans (Apr 15). Transplant from: Bok Choy (Apr 1), Cauliflower (Apr 1), Cosmos (Apr 8), Lavender (Apr 8), Marigolds (Apr 8), Mint (Apr 8), +25 more. Last frost around April 8. |
| May | Frost has passed. Transplant tomatoes, peppers, and basil outdoors. Direct sow beans, cucumbers, squash, and zucchini. |
| June | Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jun 17), Pumpkin (Jun 17), Cantaloupe (Jun 25), Celery (Jun 25), Melons (Jun 25), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 27), +2 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Pepper (Jul 5), Tomatillos (Jul 5), Eggplant (Jul 10), Corn (Jul 12), Sunflowers (Jul 24), Brussel Sprouts (Jul 29), +1 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Basil (Aug 3), Cosmos (Aug 3), Cucumber (Aug 3), Zinnias (Aug 3), Broccoli (Aug 4), Nasturtiums (Aug 8), +13 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Calendula (Sep 3), Cilantro (Sep 3), Collards (Sep 7), Scallions (Sep 7), Bok Choy (Sep 8), Lettuce (Sep 8), +6 more. |
| October | Direct sow from: Garlic (Oct 30). First frost around October 30. |
| November | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Nov 20). |
| 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 Milford, DE (ZIP 19963)?
The median last spring frost date for Milford, DE (ZIP code 19963) is around April 8. 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 24; one in ten it runs past April 20.
What is the first fall frost date in Milford, DE?
The median first fall frost date for Milford, DE is around October 30. 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 14 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Milford, DE?
The frost-free growing season in Milford is about 205 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 Milford (205 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 Milford, DE?
Milford, 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 Milford, DE?
Start tomatoes indoors Mar 4 and plant out Apr 22 in Milford. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Milford?
Two: plant Mar 11 and again by Sep 8; both mature before Nov 6.
When do I plant garlic in Milford?
Oct 30 to Nov 20; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Milford?
Yes: plant out Apr 22 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Jun 30 for a fall crop.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Milton (ZIP 19968) has 213 frost-free days, 8 more than Milford (ZIP 19963). See Milton ZIP 19968 frost dates
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