Last Frost Date

Planting planner: Wilmington, Delaware

Typical last spring frost April 7 (1 spring in 10 later than April 21). Typical first fall frost November 1 (1 fall in 10 earlier than October 19). Growing season about 209 days.

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Frost likely Frost possible Frost unlikely Frost is likely until March 26 and fades out by April 21. It is unlikely from then until October 19, and likely again after November 15. The dashed lines are the typical dates, April 7 and November 1.

January

  • January 20 to February 17: Broccoli and cabbage (start seeds indoors)

February

  • February 3 to March 3: Cauliflower (start seeds indoors)
  • February 17 to March 10: Eggplant (start seeds indoors)
  • February 24 to March 10: Peppers (start seeds indoors)

March

  • March 3 to 17: Tomatoes (start seeds indoors)
  • March 10 to 24: Peas, spinach, lettuce, radishes, onion sets, turnips (sow outdoors)
  • March 10 to 24: Broccoli and cabbage (plant out)
  • March 24 to April 7: Beets, carrots, potatoes, Swiss chard (plant outdoors)
  • March 24 to April 7: Cauliflower (plant out)

April

  • April 7: Snap beans, sweet corn, cucumbers, summer squash (sow outdoors)
  • April 21: Tomatoes, peppers, eggplant (plant out)
  • April 21: Melons, winter squash, pumpkins, lima beans (sow outdoors)

May

Nothing to start this month.

June

  • June 6 to 20: Cabbage for fall (start seeds)
  • June 26 to July 10: Broccoli for fall (start seeds)

July

Nothing to start this month.

August

  • August 5: Snap beans for fall (last date to sow)
  • August 9: Carrots for fall (last date to sow)
  • August 10: Cucumbers for fall (last date to sow)
  • August 14: Peas for fall (last date to sow)
  • August 15: Summer squash for fall (last date to sow)
  • August 19: Leaf lettuce and beets for fall (last date to sow)
  • August 29: Turnips and kohlrabi for fall (last date to sow)

September

  • September 8: Spinach for fall (last date to sow)
  • September 18: Radishes for fall (last date to sow)

October

  • October 19: Tomatoes, peppers, squash, melons, cucumbers (watch the forecast)

November

  • November 21 to 28: Garlic (plant cloves)

December

Nothing to start this month.

Dates from NOAA's 1991 to 2020 climate normals for Wilmington New Castle Co Airport (station USW00013781), 6 miles from the center of Wilmington. Planting rules: Colorado State University Extension GardenNotes #720 (spring), Virginia Cooperative Extension 426-334 (fall crops), University of Minnesota Extension (garlic). Spring bulbs: plant when the soil has cooled to about 50 to 55°F, until a couple of weeks before the ground freezes (University of Wisconsin–Madison Extension). Full details: https://lastfrostdate.com/frost-dates/delaware/wilmington/

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