Delaware Frost Dates
Across Delaware's 57 cities and towns, the average last spring frost runs from March 29 in Dewey Beach to April 11 in Slaughter Beach. Average last frost elsewhere: Wilmington Apr 7 and Dover Apr 4.
Frost dates for every city and town in Delaware
Dates are for 32°F at the NOAA station nearest the ZIP code at each Delaware town's center. "Safer date" is when only 1 year in 10 still gets a frost, a good target for tomatoes and peppers.
| City | Average last frost | Safer date | Average first frost | Frost-free days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arden | Apr 7 | Apr 24 | Nov 4 | 211 |
| Ardencroft | Apr 7 | Apr 24 | Nov 4 | 211 |
| Ardentown | Mar 30 | Apr 9 | Nov 16 | 231 |
| Bellefonte | Apr 7 | Apr 24 | Nov 4 | 211 |
| Bethany Beach | Apr 7 | Apr 23 | Nov 2 | 209 |
| Bethel | Apr 2 | Apr 16 | Nov 10 | 222 |
| Blades | Apr 11 | Apr 28 | Oct 30 | 202 |
| Bowers | Apr 4 | Apr 17 | Nov 4 | 214 |
| Bridgeville | Apr 11 | Apr 28 | Oct 30 | 202 |
| Camden | Apr 4 | Apr 17 | Nov 4 | 214 |
| Cheswold | Apr 4 | Apr 17 | Nov 4 | 214 |
| Clayton | Apr 4 | Apr 17 | Nov 4 | 214 |
| Dagsboro | Apr 4 | Apr 16 | Nov 6 | 216 |
| Delaware City | Apr 7 | Apr 21 | Nov 1 | 208 |
| Delmar | Apr 2 | Apr 16 | Nov 10 | 222 |
| Dewey Beach | Mar 29 | Apr 9 | Nov 14 | 230 |
| Dover | Apr 4 | Apr 17 | Nov 4 | 214 |
| Ellendale | Apr 4 | Apr 16 | Nov 6 | 216 |
| Elsmere | Apr 7 | Apr 24 | Nov 4 | 211 |
| Farmington | Apr 11 | Apr 28 | Oct 30 | 202 |
| Felton | Apr 4 | Apr 17 | Nov 4 | 214 |
| Fenwick Island | Apr 7 | Apr 23 | Nov 2 | 209 |
| Frankford | Apr 4 | Apr 16 | Nov 6 | 216 |
| Frederica | Apr 4 | Apr 17 | Nov 4 | 214 |
| Georgetown | Apr 4 | Apr 16 | Nov 6 | 216 |
| Greenwood | Apr 11 | Apr 28 | Oct 30 | 202 |
| Harrington | Apr 11 | Apr 28 | Oct 30 | 202 |
| Hartly | Apr 4 | Apr 17 | Nov 4 | 214 |
| Henlopen Acres | Mar 29 | Apr 9 | Nov 14 | 230 |
| Houston | Apr 11 | Apr 28 | Oct 30 | 202 |
| Kenton | Apr 4 | Apr 17 | Nov 4 | 214 |
| Laurel | Apr 2 | Apr 16 | Nov 10 | 222 |
| Leipsic | Apr 4 | Apr 17 | Nov 4 | 214 |
| Lewes | Mar 29 | Apr 9 | Nov 14 | 230 |
| Little Creek | Apr 4 | Apr 17 | Nov 4 | 214 |
| Magnolia | Apr 4 | Apr 17 | Nov 4 | 214 |
| Middletown | Apr 7 | Apr 21 | Nov 1 | 208 |
| Milford | Apr 11 | Apr 28 | Oct 30 | 202 |
| Millsboro | Apr 4 | Apr 16 | Nov 6 | 216 |
| Millville | Apr 7 | Apr 23 | Nov 2 | 209 |
| Milton | Mar 29 | Apr 9 | Nov 14 | 230 |
| New Castle | Apr 7 | Apr 21 | Nov 1 | 208 |
| Newark | Apr 7 | Apr 21 | Nov 2 | 209 |
| Newport | Apr 7 | Apr 21 | Nov 1 | 208 |
| Ocean View | Apr 7 | Apr 23 | Nov 2 | 209 |
| Odessa | Apr 7 | Apr 21 | Nov 1 | 208 |
| Rehoboth Beach | Mar 29 | Apr 9 | Nov 14 | 230 |
| Seaford | Apr 11 | Apr 28 | Oct 30 | 202 |
| Selbyville | Apr 7 | Apr 23 | Nov 2 | 209 |
| Slaughter Beach | Apr 11 | Apr 28 | Oct 30 | 202 |
| Smyrna | Apr 4 | Apr 17 | Nov 4 | 214 |
| South Bethany | Apr 7 | Apr 23 | Nov 2 | 209 |
| Townsend | Apr 4 | Apr 17 | Nov 4 | 214 |
| Viola | Apr 4 | Apr 17 | Nov 4 | 214 |
| Wilmington | Apr 7 | Apr 24 | Nov 4 | 211 |
| Woodside | Apr 4 | Apr 17 | Nov 4 | 214 |
| Wyoming | Apr 4 | Apr 17 | Nov 4 | 214 |
Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020. City centers from the US Census Bureau. Click a city for its nearest station and, where it has frost dates, hard-freeze dates and a vegetable planting calendar. See how we calculate.
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Wilmington, DE?
The average last spring frost in Wilmington is April 7, and only 1 year in 10 has a frost after April 24. The average first fall frost is November 4. These come from NOAA's 1991–2020 records at the Wilmington Porter Rsch station.
When should I plant tomatoes in Delaware?
UNH Extension times tomato transplants for 1 to 2 weeks after the average last frost. In Wilmington that's about Apr 14 to Apr 21; for a 9 in 10 chance of no later frost, wait until Apr 24. Look up your ZIP code for your own dates and a full vegetable planting calendar.
More for Delaware: Delaware climate zones (insulation) · Delaware planting zones · Frost line depth by state