Last frost date in Dover, Delaware
April 4
Average last frost in spring. In an early year (1 in 10) it's over by March 22; in a late year (1 in 10) it comes after April 17.
November 4
Average first frost in fall. 1 year in 10 it comes by October 23.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Dover (USC00072730), 1.3 miles from Dover, elevation 30 ft. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. These are long-term averages, not a forecast.
| Early year | Average | Late year | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Last frost in spring | Mar 22 | Apr 4 | Apr 17 |
| First frost in fall | Oct 23 | Nov 4 | Nov 18 |
An early or late year is one in 10: 1 year in 10 the frost comes before the early date, and 1 year in 10 after the late date.
Frost-free days in an average year: 214
Planting calendar for Dover
Fall planting
USDA dates for places whose average first freeze is about October 30 (Dover: November 4).
- Black-eyed peasJune 1 – Aug 1 (past for this year)
- CucumbersJune 1 – Aug 1 (past for this year)
- Eggplant plantsJune 1 – July 1 (past for this year)
- New Zealand spinachJune 1 – Aug 1 (past for this year)
- OkraJune 1 – Aug 10 (past for this year)
- Peppers plantsJune 1 – July 20 (past for this year)
- SalsifyJune 1 – July 10 (past for this year)
- SoybeansJune 1 – July 15 (past for this year)
- Summer squashJune 1 – Aug 1 (past for this year)
- Sweet cornJune 1 – Aug 1 (past for this year)
- Sweet potatoesJune 1 – 15 (past for this year)
- Swiss chardJune 1 – Sept 10 (past for this year)
- TomatoesJune 1 – July 1 (past for this year)
- Winter squashJune 10 – July 10 (past for this year)
- Celery and celeriac plantsJune 15 – Aug 15 (past for this year)
- Broccoli plantsJuly 1 – Aug 15 (past for this year)
- Brussels sprouts plantsJuly 1 – Aug 15 (past for this year)
- Cantaloupe (muskmelon)July 1 – 15 (past for this year)
- CarrotsJuly 1 – Aug 15 (past for this year)
- Florence fennelJuly 1 – Aug 1 (past for this year)
- Lima beansJuly 1 – Aug 1 (past for this year)
- Snap beansJuly 1 – Aug 15 (past for this year)
- WatermelonJuly 1 – 15 (past for this year)
- Witloof chicoryJuly 1 – Aug 10 (past for this year)
- Cauliflower plantsJuly 15 – Aug 15 (past for this year)
- EndiveJuly 15 – Aug 15 (past for this year)
- KaleJuly 15 – Sept 1 (past for this year)
- RutabagaJuly 15 – Aug 1 (past for this year)
- PotatoesJuly 20 – Aug 10 (past for this year)
- BeetsAug 1 – Sept 1 (past for this year)
- Cabbage plantsAug 1 – Sept 1 (past for this year)
- Chinese cabbageAug 1 – Sept 15 (past for this year)
- Collards plantsAug 1 – Sept 15 (past for this year)
- Garden peasAug 1 – Sept 15 (past for this year)
- Head lettuce plantsAug 1 – Sept 15 (past for this year)
- KohlrabiAug 1 – Sept 1 (past for this year)
- ParsleyAug 1 – Sept 15 (past for this year)
- SorrelAug 1 – Sept 15 (past for this year)
- TurnipsAug 1 – Sept 15 (past for this year)
- DandelionAug 15 – Oct 1 (past for this year)
- Leaf lettuceAug 15 – Oct 1 (past for this year)
- Mustard greensAug 15 – Oct 15 (past for this year)
- RadishesAug 15 – Oct 15 (past for this year)
- SpinachSept 1 – Oct 1 (past for this year)
- Corn saladSept 15 – Nov 1Now
- Upland cressSept 15 – Nov 1Now
- Rhubarb plantsNov 1 – Dec 1Soon
- Asparagus plantsNov 15 – Jan 1Soon
USDA lists chervil and chives, garlic, horseradish, leeks, parsnips, shallots as generally spring-planted here.
Spring planting
USDA dates for places whose average last freeze is about March 30 (Dover: April 4).
- Corn saladJan 15 – Mar 15
- RutabagaFeb 1 – Mar 1
- SpinachFeb 1 – Mar 20
- Garden peasFeb 10 – Mar 20
- GarlicFeb 10 – Mar 10
- Asparagus plantsFeb 15 – Mar 20
- Cabbage plantsFeb 15 – Mar 10
- Chervil and chivesFeb 15 – Mar 15
- Leaf lettuceFeb 15 – Apr 15
- LeeksFeb 15 – Mar 15
- Onion plants plantsFeb 15 – Mar 15
- Onion setsFeb 15 – Mar 20
- RadishesFeb 15 – May 1
- ShallotsFeb 15 – Mar 15
- Cauliflower plantsFeb 20 – Mar 20
- DandelionFeb 20 – Mar 20
- Onion seedFeb 20 – Mar 15
- PotatoesFeb 20 – Mar 20
- SorrelFeb 20 – Apr 1
- TurnipsFeb 20 – Mar 20
- BeetsMar 1 – June 1
- Broccoli plantsMar 1 – 20
- Brussels sprouts plantsMar 1 – 20
- CarrotsMar 1 – Apr 10
- Collards plantsMar 1 – June 1
- Head lettuce plantsMar 1 – 20
- Horseradish plantsMar 1 – Apr 1
- KaleMar 1 – 20
- KohlrabiMar 1 – Apr 1
- Mustard greensMar 1 – Apr 15
- ParsleyMar 1 – Apr 1
- ParsnipsMar 1 – Apr 1
- SalsifyMar 1 – 15
- Swiss chardMar 1 – May 25
- Upland cressMar 1 – Apr 1
- EndiveMar 10 – Apr 10
- Florence fennelMar 10 – Apr 10
- Celery and celeriac plantsMar 15 – Apr 15
- Sweet cornMar 25 – May 15
- Snap beansApr 1 – June 1
- Cantaloupe (muskmelon)Apr 10 – May 15
- CucumbersApr 10 – May 15
- New Zealand spinachApr 10 – June 1
- OkraApr 10 – June 15
- Summer squashApr 10 – June 1
- TomatoesApr 10 – June 1
- WatermelonApr 10 – May 15
- Black-eyed peasApr 15 – July 1
- Eggplant plantsApr 15 – May 15
- Lima beansApr 15 – June 20
- Peppers plantsApr 15 – June 1
- SoybeansApr 20 – June 30
- Sweet potatoesApr 20 – June 1
- Witloof chicoryJune 1 – July 1
USDA lists chinese cabbage as generally fall-planted here.
Planting dates: USDA Home and Garden Bulletin No. 9 (1967), “Suburban and Farm Vegetable Gardens,” tables 4 and 5 (earliest safe spring and latest safe fall dates), applied to this place's NOAA frost dates. “Plants” means setting out transplants, not sowing seed. How we match the table.
Nearby in Delaware
- Smyrna 10 mi · last frost Apr 4
- Milford 18 mi · last frost Apr 11
- Middletown 22 mi · last frost Apr 7
- Newark 38 mi · last frost Apr 7
- Wilmington 40 mi · last frost Apr 7