When to plant tomatoes in Delaware

Tomatoes
Plant out in Wilmington
Apr 14–Apr 28

Across Delaware the window opens between April 11 and April 14. Find your city below; the dates follow each town's own average last frost.

Start indoors, Wilmington
Feb 10–Feb 24
Plant out, Wilmington
Apr 14–Apr 28
Last sowing for a harvest
Jul 28
Last frost, Wilmington
Apr 7

Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost; plant out 1–3 weeks after the last frost. Wait for nights that stay above 50°F. A cold snap after transplanting stalls tomatoes for weeks.

Tomatoes planting dates by city

Start indoorsPlant outSow outdoorsFall plantingAverage last and first frost
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
WilmingtonApr 14–Apr 28
DoverApr 11–Apr 25
NewarkApr 14–Apr 28
MiddletownApr 14–Apr 28
BearApr 14–Apr 28

Questions

When should I plant tomatoes in Delaware?

In Wilmington, plant out from April 14 to April 28. Across Delaware the window opens between April 11 and April 14, depending on the local last frost.

How is this date worked out?

Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost; plant out 1–3 weeks after the last frost. Frost dates are NOAA 1991–2020 averages for the weather station nearest each city.

More for Delaware

Tomatoes in other states

Frost dates for every city in Delaware