Planting zone for 19701 — Bear, DE
ZIP code 19701 (Bear, New Castle County) is in USDA zone 7b: the coldest winter night averages 5 to 10 °F. The median last spring frost is April 7 and the first fall frost November 2.
Where ZIP 19701 is
Outlined: the ZIP code area · tap the map for the zone at any spot · scroll or pinch to zoomNot the official USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Zones come from the 2023 USDA hardiness-zone data by the PRISM Group, Oregon State University; we re-mapped and recolored them. The official map is at planthardiness.ars.usda.gov.
Was 7a on the 2012 map — half a zone warmer now. The zone is the one at the center of the ZIP code; hilly ZIPs can span two zones. What zone 7b means →
Frost forecast — next 7 nights
live from the National Weather ServiceLoading the forecast for Bear, DE…
Forecast data: National Weather Service (api.weather.gov), public domain. This is not a warning service — for official frost and freeze warnings see weather.gov.
Frost dates in Bear, DE
A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 27 and returns around November 13.
From the NOAA station Newark Ag Farm, DE — 6 miles away, elevation 105 ft. NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, 32 °F threshold. Low spots and valleys can freeze later in spring than the station.
When to plant vegetables in 19701
Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 7) and first fall frost (Nov 2) with the rules of thumb U.S. extension services publish. Cool-season crops take a light frost; warm-season crops do best once the soil is above about 60 °F.
When spring arrived in 2026
In 2026, spring leaf-out near 19701 came on Mar 15 — 4 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 19).
Mar 192026
Mar 15
The Spring Index marks the day when accumulated warmth is enough for lilac and honeysuckle to leaf out — a widely used signal that the growing season has started. Source: USA National Phenology Network, www.usanpn.org — Spring Indices, first leaf, 2026 (data as of 2026-09-08) and 30-year average 1991–2020 (CC BY 4.0).
Soil in Bear, DE
The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 19701 is Fallsington — sandy loam, poorly drained.
Map unit: Fallsington-Urban land complex, 0 to 5 percent slopes.
Soil Survey Staff, Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA. Soil Survey Geographic (SSURGO) Database, via Soil Data Access, accessed 2026-10-29. The soil at the center point of ZIP 19701; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.
Climate in Bear, DE
Average high and low, by month
Precipitation by month inches
NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Newark Ag Farm, DE (6 mi away); precipitation: Newark 3.9 Ssw, DE (6 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.
Nearby ZIP codes
All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 7b.
Questions about 19701
What planting zone is ZIP code 19701?
ZIP code 19701 (Bear, DE) is in USDA hardiness zone 7b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 5 to 10 °F (−15 to −12.2 °C).
When is the last frost in Bear, DE?
The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 19701 is April 7; after April 21 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Newark Ag Farm station.
When is the first frost in Bear, DE?
The median first fall frost near 19701 is November 2, giving a median frost-free growing season of 208 days.
When should I plant tomatoes in 19701?
Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 10 – Feb 24 and set transplants outside around Apr 14 – Apr 28, one to three weeks after the median last frost.
How much rain and snow does 19701 get?
About 47.4 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Newark 3.9 Ssw station).
How hot do summers get in Bear, DE?
The average high peaks at 89 °F in July, with about 33 days a year at 90 °F or more.
What kind of soil does 19701 have?
The USDA soil survey maps Fallsington at the center of ZIP 19701: sandy loam, poorly drained, pH about 5.3 (strongly acidic).
Did spring come early in Bear, DE in 2026?
Spring leaf-out near 19701 came on Mar 15 in 2026, 4 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 19), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.
What kind of onions grow in Bear, DE?
Intermediate onions: the longest day near 19701 is 14 h 58 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.
Did the zone for 19701 change?
Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 19701 in zone 7a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.