Frost dates for 19969Nassau, DE
The average last spring frost in Nassau is March 29 and the average first fall frost is November 14, giving a typical growing season of about 231 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 29
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 14
- Growing season
- 231 days
Safer after Apr 9 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 1 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 12 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) | Mar 27 · Apr 9 · Apr 25 | Oct 21 · Nov 3 · Nov 16 | 207 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 13 · Mar 29 · Apr 9 | Nov 1 · Nov 14 · Dec 1 | 231 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 28 · Mar 16 · Mar 30 | Nov 9 · Nov 28 · Dec 20 | 256 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Nassau
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 | Feb 26 – May 4 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 14 – Jul 25 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 26 – Mar 29 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 28 – May 29 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 15 – Apr 13 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 28 – May 29 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 28 – Aug 4 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 14 – May 29 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 28 – May 29 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 14 – Aug 27 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 14 – Jul 25 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 28 – May 29 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 21 – May 14 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 26 – Apr 13 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 26 – Apr 28 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 15 – Feb 11 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 15 – Apr 13 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 8 – Mar 14 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 15 – Apr 13 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Jul 25 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 14 – Aug 25 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 29 – Feb 26 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 26 – Mar 29 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Aug 4 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 4 – Sep 4 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 26 – May 14 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 4 – Sep 20 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 19 – Apr 4 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 21 – Sep 25 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 26 – Apr 18 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 4 – Oct 5 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 15 – Apr 4 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 28 – Sep 4 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – May 14 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Aug 20 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 4 – Dec 5 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 19969 is matched to the NOAA station Lewes, DE, 4.4 km away, at 10 ft elevation (13 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lewes, DE (used) | 10 ft | Mar 29 | Nov 14 |
| Georgetown Sussex Co Ap, DE | 51 ft | Apr 4 | Nov 6 |
| Cape May 2 Nw, NJ | 20 ft | Apr 1 | Nov 9 |
| Greenwood 2Ne, DE | 45 ft | Apr 11 | Oct 30 |
Frost dates near Nassau
- Lewes, DE 19958 · last Mar 29, first Nov 14
- Harbeson, DE 19951 · last Apr 4, first Nov 6
- Milton, DE 19968 · last Apr 4, first Nov 6
- Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971 · last Mar 29, first Nov 14
- Millsboro, DE 19966 · last Apr 4, first Nov 6
- Georgetown, DE 19947 · last Apr 4, first Nov 6
- Ellendale, DE 19941 · last Apr 4, first Nov 6
- Dagsboro, DE 19939 · last Apr 4, first Nov 6
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Nassau, DE?
- For ZIP code 19969, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 29, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Lewes, DE weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 9.
- When is the first frost in Nassau, DE?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 14. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 1, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 19969?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 231 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.