Frost Dates for Wilmington, DE 19809
Wilmington has 10 ZIP codes. The Wilmington, DE frost page lists all of them with their dates.
Last spring frost April 10 · First fall frost October 30 · 203 frost-free days · USDA Zone 7b
ZIP 19809 has about 14,300 people, one of 10 ZIP codes in Wilmington.
Long season: 203 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans March 30–April 21 (22 days). Fall frost risk spans October 16–November 14 (29 days).
Frost probability for 19809
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | April 21 | April 10 | March 30 |
| Fall (first frost) | October 16 | October 30 | November 14 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at WILMINGTON NEW CASTLE CO AP (12.8 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 203-day season in Wilmington
In Wilmington (203 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 6 | Apr 24–May 1 | 161 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 161 available after Apr 24. | Jun 30 |
| Pepper | Feb 27 | Apr 24–May 1 | 161 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 161 available after Apr 24. | Jul 5 |
| Lettuce | Feb 13 | Mar 13–Mar 20 | 238 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 13 and again by Sep 8; both mature before Nov 6. | Sep 8 |
| Carrots | — | Mar 20–Mar 27 | 245 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 245 available after Mar 20. | Aug 28 |
| Cucumber | Mar 20 | Apr 24–May 1 | 175 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 24 and again by Aug 3; both mature before Oct 16. | Aug 3 |
| Beans | — | Apr 17–May 1 | 189 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 17 and again by Aug 10; both mature before Oct 23. | Aug 10 |
| Peas | — | Feb 13–Apr 24 | 266 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 266 available after Feb 13. | Aug 19 |
| Zucchini | Mar 27 | Apr 24–May 1 | 175 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 24 and again by Aug 8; both mature before Oct 16. | Aug 8 |
| Onion | Jan 16 | Mar 13–Mar 27 | 238 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 238 available after Mar 13. | — |
| Spinach | — | Feb 13–Apr 3 | 280 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 13 and again by Sep 27; both mature before Nov 20. | Sep 27 |
| Kale | Jan 30 | Mar 13–Mar 27 | 252 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 13 and again by Sep 12; both mature before Nov 20. | Sep 12 |
| Broccoli | Feb 13 | Mar 13–Mar 27 | 238 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 238 available after Mar 13. | Aug 4 |
| Cabbage | Feb 13 | Mar 13–Mar 27 | 252 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 252 available after Mar 13. | Aug 28 |
| Radish | — | Feb 13–May 8 | 266 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 13 and again by Sep 28; both mature before Nov 6. | Sep 28 |
| Beets | — | Feb 13–May 8 | 266 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 13 and again by Aug 29; both mature before Nov 6. | Aug 29 |
| Potatoes | — | Mar 27–Apr 3 | 224 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 224 available after Mar 27. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 30 | 308 | overwinter: Plant Oct 30 to Nov 20; harvest the following summer. | Nov 20 |
| Strawberry | — | Mar 6–May 1 | 259 | perennial: A perennial: plant Mar 6; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Mar 13 | Apr 17–Apr 24 | 175 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 175 available after Apr 17. | Jul 12 |
| Pumpkin | Mar 27 | Apr 24–Apr 24 | 168 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 168 available after Apr 24. | Jun 17 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 27 | Apr 3–Apr 17 | 217 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 217 available after Apr 3. | Aug 9 |
| Swiss Chard | Feb 13 | Mar 27–Mar 27 | 224 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 27 and again by Aug 29; both mature before Nov 6. | Aug 29 |
| Arugula | — | Feb 13–May 8 | 280 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 13 and again by Sep 27; both mature before Nov 20. | Sep 27 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Feb 13 | Mar 13–Mar 27 | 252 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 252 available after Mar 13. | Jul 29 |
| Butternut Squash | Mar 27 | Apr 24–May 1 | 168 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 168 available after Apr 24. | Jun 17 |
| Eggplant | Feb 20 | Apr 24–May 1 | 161 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 161 available after Apr 24. | Jul 10 |
| Okra | Mar 13 | Apr 17–Apr 24 | 182 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 17 and again by Aug 8; both mature before Oct 16. | Aug 8 |
| Basil | Mar 6 | May 1–May 1 | 168 | two-plantings: Plant May 1 and again by Aug 3; both mature before Oct 16. | Aug 3 |
| Cilantro | — | Mar 13–Apr 3 | 238 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 13 and again by Sep 3; both mature before Nov 6. | Sep 3 |
| Parsley | Jan 30 | Apr 17–Apr 24 | 203 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 203 available after Apr 17. | Aug 14 |
| Celery | Jan 30 | Apr 17–May 1 | 203 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 203 available after Apr 17. | Jun 25 |
| Scallions | Jan 30 | Mar 13–Mar 27 | 252 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 13 and again by Sep 7; both mature before Nov 20. | Sep 7 |
| Turnip | — | Mar 13–Mar 27 | 252 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 13 and again by Sep 17; both mature before Nov 20. | Sep 17 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Feb 27–Mar 13 | 266 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 27 and again by Sep 12; both mature before Nov 20. | Sep 12 |
| Bok Choy | Mar 13 | Apr 3–Apr 10 | 217 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 3 and again by Sep 8; both mature before Nov 6. | Sep 8 |
| Collards | Jan 30 | Mar 13–Mar 27 | 252 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 13 and again by Sep 7; both mature before Nov 20. | Sep 7 |
| Cantaloupe | Mar 27 | Apr 24–May 1 | 161 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 161 available after Apr 24. | Jun 25 |
| Chives | Jan 16 | Apr 17–Apr 24 | 217 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 217 available after Apr 17. | — |
| Dill | — | Feb 13–May 8 | 266 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 13 and again by Aug 29; both mature before Nov 6. | Aug 29 |
| Oregano | Jan 30 | Apr 17–Apr 24 | 217 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 217 available after Apr 17. | — |
| Rosemary | Jan 16 | Apr 17–Apr 24 | 203 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 203 available after Apr 17. | — |
| Sage | Feb 13 | Apr 17–Apr 24 | 217 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 217 available after Apr 17. | — |
| Thyme | Jan 30 | Apr 17–Apr 24 | 217 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 217 available after Apr 17. | — |
| Calendula | Feb 27 | Mar 27–Apr 10 | 224 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 27 and again by Sep 3; both mature before Nov 6. | Sep 3 |
| Cosmos | Mar 13 | Apr 10–Apr 24 | 189 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 10 and again by Aug 3; both mature before Oct 16. | Aug 3 |
| Lavender | Jan 16 | Apr 10–Apr 24 | 224 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 224 available after Apr 10. | — |
| Marigolds | Feb 27 | Apr 10–Apr 17 | 189 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 10 and again by Aug 13; both mature before Oct 16. | Aug 13 |
| Melons | Mar 27 | Apr 24–May 1 | 161 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 161 available after Apr 24. | Jun 25 |
| Mint | — | Apr 10–Apr 24 | 224 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 224 available after Apr 10. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Mar 13 | Apr 10–Apr 17 | 189 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 10 and again by Aug 8; both mature before Oct 16. | Aug 8 |
| Pole Beans | — | Apr 17–May 1 | 182 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 182 available after Apr 17. | Jul 29 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Mar 27 | Apr 24–May 1 | 168 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 168 available after Apr 24. | Jun 27 |
| Sunflowers | — | Apr 10–Apr 24 | 189 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 189 available after Apr 10. | Jul 24 |
| Tomatillos | Feb 13 | Apr 17–Apr 24 | 168 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 168 available after Apr 17. | Jul 5 |
| Watermelon | Mar 27 | Apr 17–Apr 24 | 168 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 168 available after Apr 17. | Jun 30 |
| Yellow Squash | Mar 27 | Apr 24–May 1 | 175 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 24 and again by Aug 8; both mature before Oct 16. | Aug 8 |
| Zinnias | Mar 13 | Apr 10–Apr 24 | 189 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 10 and again by Aug 3; both mature before Oct 16. | Aug 3 |
Month by month in Wilmington
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Chives (Jan 16), Lavender (Jan 16), Onion (Jan 16), Rosemary (Jan 16), Celery (Jan 30), Collards (Jan 30), +5 more. |
| February | Start indoors: Broccoli (Feb 13), Brussel Sprouts (Feb 13), Cabbage (Feb 13), Lettuce (Feb 13), Sage (Feb 13), Swiss Chard (Feb 13), +6 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Feb 13), Beets (Feb 13), Dill (Feb 13), Peas (Feb 13), Radish (Feb 13), Spinach (Feb 13), +1 more. |
| March | Start indoors: Basil (Mar 6), Tomato (Mar 6), Bok Choy (Mar 13), Corn (Mar 13), Cosmos (Mar 13), Nasturtiums (Mar 13), +11 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (Mar 13), Turnip (Mar 13), Carrots (Mar 20), Potatoes (Mar 27). Transplant from: Broccoli (Mar 13), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 13), Cabbage (Mar 13), Collards (Mar 13), Kale (Mar 13), Lettuce (Mar 13), +4 more. Plant: Strawberry (Mar 6). |
| April | Direct sow from: Sunflowers (Apr 10), Beans (Apr 17), Pole Beans (Apr 17). Transplant from: Bok Choy (Apr 3), Cauliflower (Apr 3), Cosmos (Apr 10), Lavender (Apr 10), Marigolds (Apr 10), Mint (Apr 10), +24 more. Last frost around April 10. |
| May | Transplant from: Basil (May 1). |
| 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 Wilmington, DE (ZIP 19809)?
The median last spring frost date for Wilmington, DE (ZIP code 19809) is around April 10. 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 30; one in ten it runs past April 21.
What is the first fall frost date in Wilmington, DE?
The median first fall frost date for Wilmington, 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 16 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Wilmington, DE?
The frost-free growing season in Wilmington is about 203 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 Wilmington (203 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 Wilmington, DE?
Wilmington, 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 Wilmington, DE?
Start tomatoes indoors Mar 6 and plant out Apr 24 in Wilmington. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Wilmington?
Two: plant Mar 13 and again by Sep 8; both mature before Nov 6.
When do I plant garlic in Wilmington?
Oct 30 to Nov 20; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Wilmington?
Yes: plant out Apr 24 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?
Claymont (ZIP 19703) has 212 frost-free days, 9 more than Wilmington (ZIP 19809). See Claymont ZIP 19703 frost dates
Nearby and related
- Frost dates for Wilmington, DE 19802 (1.4 mi)
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- When to plant in Wilmington, DE: month-by-month guide
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