Frost Dates for Middletown, DE
In Middletown, DE, the average last spring frost is around Apr 7 and the average first fall frost around Nov 2, for a growing season of about 208 days. For frost-tender plants, wait until Apr 21, when the chance of frost drops to 10%.
Based on NOAA 1991–2020 records from the Newark Ag Farm, DE weather station, 16 miles away, elevation 106 ft. Frost can come earlier in low spots and valleys and later near cities and large lakes.
Frost probability by date
Chance of a 32°F frost after the spring date, or before the fall date.
| Chance | Last spring frost | First fall frost |
|---|---|---|
| 10% | Apr 21 | Oct 19 |
| 20% | Apr 18 | Oct 24 |
| 30% | Apr 14 | Oct 28 |
| 40% | Apr 10 | Nov 1 |
| 50% | Apr 7 | Nov 2 |
| 60% | Apr 5 | Nov 5 |
| 70% | Apr 3 | Nov 7 |
| 80% | Mar 31 | Nov 11 |
| 90% | Mar 26 | Nov 17 |
Light frost vs. hard freeze
Average (50%) dates for each temperature. Tender plants are damaged at 36°F; most hardy crops survive until 28°F.
| Temperature | Last in spring | First in fall |
|---|---|---|
| Light frost (36°F) | Apr 22 | Oct 22 |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 7 | Nov 2 |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 27 | Nov 13 |
Planting calendar for Middletown
Transplant Apr 14 – Apr 28
Transplant Apr 21 – May 5
Transplant Apr 21 – May 5
Transplant Apr 14 – Apr 28
Sow or transplant Apr 14 – Apr 28
Sow or transplant Apr 14 – Apr 28
Sow or transplant Apr 21 – May 5
Sow or transplant Mar 10 – Mar 24
Fall sowing Sep 7 – Oct 5
Fall sowing Sep 7 – Sep 28
Fall sowing Aug 24 – Sep 7
Sow or transplant Mar 10 – Mar 24
Fall sowing Aug 24 – Sep 21
Transplant Mar 24 – Apr 7
Fall sowing Aug 10 – Aug 24
Transplant Mar 17 – Mar 31
Fall sowing Aug 10 – Aug 24
Fall sowing Aug 10 – Aug 24
Fall sowing Sep 21 – Oct 12
Fall sowing Aug 24 – Sep 7
Plant Mar 10 – Mar 24
Based on the average last frost (Apr 7) and first frost (Nov 2). The dashed lines mark those dates. Seed packets list days to maturity; adjust for your varieties.