Data: 2023 USDA zones (PRISM/OSU) · NOAA 1991–2020 normals · updated Oct 29, 2026

Planting zone for 19939 — Dagsboro, DE

ZIP code 19939 (Dagsboro, Sussex County) is in USDA zone 7b: the coldest winter night averages 5 to 10 °F. The median last spring frost is April 4 and the first fall frost November 6.

Where ZIP 19939 is

Outlined: the ZIP code area · tap the map for the zone at any spot · scroll or pinch to zoom

Not 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.

Zone7b5 to 10 °F

Coldest night−15 to −12.2 °C

Last frostApr 4

First frostNov 6

2012 zone7b

Same zone as on the 2012 map. 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 Service

Loading the forecast for Dagsboro, 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 Dagsboro, DE

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free

Last spring frostApril 4median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 16only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 6median — 10% chance by Oct 23

Growing season217 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 23 and returns around November 19.

From the NOAA station Georgetown Sussex Co. Airport, DE — 12 miles away, elevation 52 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 19939

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 21 – Mar 7

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 21 – Mar 14

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 24 – Feb 7

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 14 – Mar 28

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 7 – Mar 21

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 14 – Mar 28

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 7 – Mar 21

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 14 – Mar 28

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 7 – Feb 21

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 11 – Apr 25

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 24 – Feb 7

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 18 – May 2

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 11 – Apr 25

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 11 – Apr 25

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 11 – Apr 25

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 11 – Sep 25

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 23 – Nov 27

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 4) and first fall frost (Nov 6) 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 19939 came on Mar 11 — 3 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 8).

average
Mar 82026
Mar 11

JanFebMarAprMayJun

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).

Native plants for zone 7b in Delaware

503 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Delaware, and rated by the USDA to survive 5 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 7b. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

Source: USDA, NRCS. 2026. The PLANTS Database (plants.usda.gov), National Plant Data Team — state distribution, native status and the “Temperature, Minimum” characteristic. Check light, moisture and soil needs before buying; local nurseries and your state native plant society can confirm what thrives in Dagsboro, DE.

Soil in Dagsboro, DE

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 19939 is Pepperbox — loamy sand, moderately well drained.

TextureLoamy sanddrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

pH5.5moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageModerately well drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter2.5%moderate

Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast

Farmland classPrime farmland if irrigatedUSDA classification

Map unit: Pepperbox loamy sand, 0 to 2 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 19939; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Dagsboro, DE

Summer high88 °Faverage high, July

Winter low29 °Faverage low, January

Hot days31days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights83nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days4,225base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 52 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 28 mindaylight on December 21

Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully

Precipitation52.8 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Georgetown Sussex Co. Airport, DE (12 mi away); precipitation: Bishopville 3.1 E, MD (9 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

2 of the 8 nearest ZIP codes are in a different zone — elevation and distance from water change winter lows quickly.

Ocean View, DE · 6 mi

199757b

Selbyville, DE · 7 mi

199308a

Bethany Beach, DE · 8 mi

199517b

Harbeson, DE · 8 mi

218137b

Bishopville, MD · 10 mi

Delaware planting zones →

Questions about 19939

What planting zone is ZIP code 19939?

ZIP code 19939 (Dagsboro, 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 Dagsboro, DE?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 19939 is April 4; after April 16 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Georgetown Sussex Co. Airport station.

When is the first frost in Dagsboro, DE?

The median first fall frost near 19939 is November 6, giving a median frost-free growing season of 217 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 19939?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 7 – Feb 21 and set transplants outside around Apr 11 – Apr 25, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 19939 get?

About 52.8 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Bishopville 3.1 E station).

How hot do summers get in Dagsboro, DE?

The average high peaks at 88 °F in July, with about 31 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 19939 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Pepperbox at the center of ZIP 19939: loamy sand, moderately well drained, pH about 5.5 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Dagsboro, DE in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 19939 came on Mar 11 in 2026, 3 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 8), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Dagsboro, DE?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 19939 is 14 h 52 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.