State guides · guide
Delaware growing guide: zones, planting dates and where to start
How Delaware zones change planting dates, with spring dates for its main growing region.
Not yet expert-reviewed. Written by BAU Farm Intelligence from public extension and agency sources. Check dates and program details with your local extension office.
Zones across Delaware
Delaware covers USDA Zones 7a–7b on our calendar. A date that works in one part of the state can be weeks off in another, so plant by your zone, not the state.
- Zone 7a — Wilmington and New Castle County. Average last frost 04/15, first frost 10/15 (about 183 frost-free days).
- Zone 7b — Dover, Kent and Sussex counties. Average last frost 04/08, first frost 10/22 (about 197 frost-free days).
Spring dates for Dover, Kent and Sussex counties (Zone 7b)
- Tomatoes: set out April 15 – May 6; fall July 9 – July 30
- Peppers: set out April 22 – May 13; fall July 23 – August 13
- Sweet corn: seed April 8 – April 29; fall July 23 – August 13
- Cucumbers: set out April 15 – May 6; fall August 6 – August 27
- Summer squash: seed April 15 – May 6; fall August 13 – September 3
- Green beans (bush): seed April 8 – April 29; fall August 6 – August 27
- Cabbage: set out March 11 – April 1; fall July 9 – July 30
- Broccoli: set out March 11 – April 1; fall July 9 – July 30
These are averages worked out from frost dates, not a state extension schedule. Adjust for your field and the season.
Published costs per acre
- University of Delaware Staked tomato budget — 2026 (University of Delaware Cooperative Extension, 2026): about $9,631 per acre.
- University of Delaware Bell pepper budget — 2023 (University of Delaware Cooperative Extension, 2023): about $9,169 per acre.
- University of Delaware Seedless watermelon budget — 2026 (University of Delaware Cooperative Extension, 2026): about $6,996 per acre.
- University of Delaware Pumpkin (on plastic) budget — 2026 (University of Delaware Cooperative Extension, 2026): about $2,829 per acre.
- University of Delaware Cantaloupe budget — 2023 (University of Delaware Cooperative Extension, 2023): about $3,517 per acre.
- University of Delaware Sweet corn (fresh market, hand-harvested) budget — 2025 (University of Delaware Cooperative Extension, 2025): about $2,200 per acre.
- University of Delaware Cabbage budget — 2023 (University of Delaware Cooperative Extension, 2023): about $4,149 per acre.
- University of Delaware Broccoli budget — 2023 (University of Delaware Cooperative Extension, 2023): about $4,444 per acre.
Where to sell in Delaware
- State buy-local program: the Delaware Department of Agriculture runs Delaware Grown. Members can be listed for grocery, restaurant and school buyers looking for in-state product — ask about joining and any marketing directories.
- Farmers markets, CSAs and on-farm stands: the USDA Local Food Directories list them by state, so you can see who already sells near you and which markets still need your crop.
- Schools and institutions: ask your state's farm-to-school contact (usually through the agriculture or education department) what they buy and when.
- Buyers on BAU: buyers post what they need on the marketplace, and you can list your crop window there for free.
Call before you count on any buyer: programs and market hours change, and a price talked through in winter is worth more than one found at harvest.
Farm taxes in Delaware
- Income tax: Graduated state income tax.
- Sales tax on inputs: Delaware has no sales tax.
- Farmland property tax: Farmland Assessment Act: qualifying land is assessed on farm use value; apply through the county assessment office.
Rates and forms change. Confirm with the state revenue department or a farm tax preparer before you file — this is a plain-language guide, not tax advice. Our farm tax estimator covers the federal deductions every state shares.
Grants and cost-share in Delaware
- Delaware Agricultural Lands Preservation Foundation easements
- Specialty Crop Block Grant (Delaware Department of Agriculture)
- Conservation district cost-share programs
- USDA NRCS EQIP cost-share and FSA microloans through your county USDA service center
- Northeast SARE farmer and rancher grants for on-farm trials
See the grant tracker for deadlines we follow.
Who to call
- University of Delaware Cooperative Extension — county offices for soil tests, varieties and pest help
- Your county USDA service center (FSA and NRCS) for loans, cost-share and farm numbers
Sources
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map
- Delaware Department of Agriculture
- USDA Local Food Directories
- University of Delaware Cooperative Extension — University of Delaware Staked tomato budget — 2026 (2026)
- University of Delaware Cooperative Extension — University of Delaware Bell pepper budget — 2023 (2023)
- University of Delaware Cooperative Extension — University of Delaware Seedless watermelon budget — 2026 (2026)
- University of Delaware Cooperative Extension — University of Delaware Pumpkin (on plastic) budget — 2026 (2026)
- University of Delaware Cooperative Extension — University of Delaware Cantaloupe budget — 2023 (2023)
- University of Delaware Cooperative Extension — University of Delaware Sweet corn (fresh market, hand-harvested) budget — 2025 (2025)
- University of Delaware Cooperative Extension — University of Delaware Cabbage budget — 2023 (2023)
- University of Delaware Cooperative Extension — University of Delaware Broccoli budget — 2023 (2023)