When to plant lettuce in Delaware

Plant out in Wilmington

Mar 24–Apr 14

Across Delaware the window opens between March 21 and March 24. Find your city below; the dates follow each town's own average last frost.

Start indoors, Wilmington: Feb 10–Feb 24
Plant out, Wilmington: Mar 24–Apr 14
Sow outdoors, Wilmington: Mar 10–Apr 14
Fall planting, Wilmington: Sep 9–Sep 23
Last frost, Wilmington: Apr 7

Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost; plant out from 2 weeks before to 1 weeks after the last frost; sow outdoors from 4 weeks before to 1 weeks after the last frost; sow again for fall 6–8 weeks before the first frost. Lettuce bolts in heat. Sow small batches every two weeks in spring and again in late summer.

Lettuce planting dates by city

Start indoorsPlant outSow outdoorsFall plantingAverage last and first frost

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

WilmingtonMar 24–Apr 14

DoverMar 21–Apr 11

NewarkMar 24–Apr 14

MiddletownMar 24–Apr 14

BearMar 24–Apr 14

Questions

When should I plant lettuce in Delaware?

In Wilmington, plant out from March 24 to April 14. Across Delaware the window opens between March 21 and March 24, depending on the local last frost.

How is this date worked out?

Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost; plant out from 2 weeks before to 1 weeks after the last frost; sow outdoors from 4 weeks before to 1 weeks after the last frost; sow again for fall 6–8 weeks before the first frost. Frost dates are NOAA 1991–2020 averages for the weather station nearest each city.

More for Delaware

Lettuce in other states

Frost dates for every city in Delaware