Frost dates for 19947Georgetown, DE
The average last spring frost in Georgetown is April 4 and the average first fall frost is November 6, giving a typical growing season of about 217 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 4
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 6
- Growing season
- 217 days
Safer after Apr 16 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 23 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 3 days
Frost risk by date
NOAA reports frost dates as probabilities. The middle date is the average (a 50% chance). For spring, the 10% date is a safer planting date: frost after it happens in about 1 year in 10. Light frost (36°F) can damage tender plants; a hard freeze (28°F) kills most annuals.
| Temperature | Last spring: 90% / 50% / 10% chance | First fall: 10% / 50% / 90% chance | Growing season (50%) | Years with at least one |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light frost (36°F) | Apr 1 · Apr 16 · May 2 | Oct 13 · Oct 27 · Nov 8 | 191 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 22 · Apr 4 · Apr 16 | Oct 23 · Nov 6 · Nov 22 | 217 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 3 · Mar 23 · Apr 5 | Nov 4 · Nov 19 · Dec 6 | 244 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Georgetown
Planting windows from the University of Maryland Extension calendar, shifted to your average frost dates. Use them as a starting point and adjust for seed packet instructions and local conditions.
| Crop | Task | Window |
|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Start seeds indoors | Mar 4 – May 10 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 20 – Jul 17 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 4 – Apr 4 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 4 – Jun 4 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 21 – Apr 19 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 4 – Jun 4 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 4 – Jul 27 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 20 – Jun 4 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 4 – Jun 4 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 20 – Aug 19 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 20 – Jul 17 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 4 – Jun 4 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 27 – May 20 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Apr 19 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 4 – May 4 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 21 – Feb 17 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 21 – Apr 19 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 14 – Mar 20 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 21 – Apr 19 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 7 – Jul 17 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 6 – Aug 17 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 4 – Mar 4 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Apr 4 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 27 – Jul 27 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 27 – Aug 27 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 4 – May 20 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 27 – Sep 12 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 25 – Apr 10 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 13 – Sep 17 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Apr 24 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 27 – Sep 27 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 21 – Apr 10 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 20 – Aug 27 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 4 – May 20 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 27 – Aug 12 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 27 – Nov 27 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 19947 is matched to the NOAA station Georgetown Sussex Co Ap, DE, 3.2 km away, at 51 ft elevation (2 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Georgetown Sussex Co Ap, DE (used) | 51 ft | Apr 4 | Nov 6 |
| Greenwood 2Ne, DE | 45 ft | Apr 11 | Oct 30 |
| Lewes, DE | 10 ft | Mar 29 | Nov 14 |
| Salisbury 2N, MD | 20 ft | Apr 2 | Nov 10 |
Frost dates near Georgetown
- Millsboro, DE 19966 · last Apr 4, first Nov 6
- Milton, DE 19968 · last Apr 4, first Nov 6
- Ellendale, DE 19941 · last Apr 4, first Nov 6
- Harbeson, DE 19951 · last Apr 4, first Nov 6
- Seaford, DE 19973 · last Apr 11, first Oct 30
- Nassau, DE 19969 · last Mar 29, first Nov 14
- Bridgeville, DE 19933 · last Apr 11, first Oct 30
- Lewes, DE 19958 · last Mar 29, first Nov 14
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Georgetown, DE?
- For ZIP code 19947, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 4, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Georgetown Sussex Co Ap, DE weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 16.
- When is the first frost in Georgetown, DE?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 6. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 23, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 19947?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 217 days long.
- Are these frost dates a forecast?
- No. They are 30-year averages and probabilities from NOAA weather station records. Use them to plan, then watch your local forecast before planting tender crops or leaving them uncovered.