When to plant in Dover, DE
USDA Zone 7bHere are the average frost dates, USDA hardiness zone, and a month-by-month planting calendar for Dover, Delaware — all computed from Dover's nearest NOAA weather station.
In zone 7b, Dover supports a wide range of perennials year-round; the frost dates above are what set your annual vegetable timing.
Frost probability
DOVER · 1991–2020The date the last spring and first fall frost occur, by threshold and probability. A 90% date is later in spring — and earlier in fall — than a 10% date; the 50% · 32°F row is what most gardeners plan around. These are Dover’s own odds, recorded at DOVER.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | May 5 | Apr 17 | Apr 3 | Oct 12 | Oct 25 | Nov 6 |
| 32°F | Apr 17 | Apr 4 | Mar 22 | Oct 23 | Nov 4 | Nov 18 |
| 28°F | Apr 5 | Mar 25 | Mar 8 | Nov 3 | Nov 16 | Dec 3 |
Download this table as CSV ↓ — every threshold and probability, plus this city’s planting-window dates.
What to plant now
TODAY · JULY 19Full-year planting calendar
Each bar is the exact window to take a planting action in Dover, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 45 km · complete 32°F normalsWhen stations disagree by more than a few days, that spread is real microclimate variation — elevation, water, urban heat. Judge which station best matches your own yard.
Dover planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Dover, DE?
On average, the last spring frost in Dover is around April 4 (50% probability at 32°F, from 1991–2020 NOAA normals). Wait until after this date to set out tender plants like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first fall frost in Dover, DE?
Expect Dover's first fall frost near November 4 — a 50% chance of 32°F by that date. Bring in or cover tender crops ahead of it.
What hardiness zone is Dover in?
Dover is in USDA hardiness zone 7b. In zone 7b, winters are moderate — most common vegetables grow well in season.
How long is the growing season in Dover?
Dover has about 214 frost-free days — a long growing season — between the average last spring frost (April 4) and first fall frost (November 4).
When should I plant tomatoes in Dover?
For Dover, sow tomatoes indoors about February 7–February 21 and move the seedlings out around April 11, after the last spring frost.
Never miss a window in Dover
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Dover’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- Smyrna · 17 km
- Milford · 29 km
- Middletown · 36 km
- Bridgeton · 39 km
- Millville · 48 km
- Glasgow · 53 km
- Bear · 53 km
- Pennsville · 54 km
Frost dates recorded at DOVER, 2 km from the city center · 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals · zone from the USDA/PRISM 2023 map. How we compute this.
BlissGarden. "When to Plant in Dover, DE — Frost Dates & Zone 7b." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USC00072730. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/delaware/dover.