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Frost dates for Dover, Delaware

In a typical year, Dover’s last spring frost lands around Apr 4 and the first fall frost around Nov 4, a growing season of about 214 days. These are odds drawn from 30-year NOAA climate normals, not a promise. USDA zone 7b.

Right now the growing season is open, with about 10 days until the typical first fall frost.

Last spring frost and first fall frost odds for Dover, Delaware
OddsLast spring frostFirst fall frost
10 percentMar 22Oct 23
50 percentApr 4Nov 4
90 percentApr 17Nov 18

A 10 percent year is an early year, a 90 percent year a late one. Frost-sensitive planting usually waits for the 90 percent side of the last-frost band.

Soil in Dover is typically around 57°F at 4 inches this time of year, estimated from the last two weeks of normal air temperatures.

Plantable now in Dover

Timing comes from the same temperature engine the app uses, run against Dover’s normals for today.

See the full what-to-plant lookup

Common questions

When is the last frost in Dover, Delaware?

Dover’s last spring frost falls around April 4 in a typical year. One year in ten it is done by March 22, and one year in ten frost holds on until April 17. Frost-sensitive planting usually waits for the late side of that band.

When is the first fall frost in Dover?

The first fall frost arrives around November 4 in a typical year, as early as October 23 in an early year and as late as November 18 in a late one.

How long is the growing season in Dover?

About 214 days, counted between the typical last spring frost and the typical first fall frost.

What USDA zone is Dover in?

Dover is in USDA hardiness zone 7b under the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map.

Dates come from 30-year NOAA climate normals for the nearest reporting station. They describe odds, not a forecast.

Nearby cities

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