Planting zone for 19944 — Fenwick Island, DE
ZIP code 19944 (Fenwick Island, Sussex County) is in USDA zone 8a: the coldest winter night averages 10 to 15 °F. The median last spring frost is April 7 and the first fall frost November 2.
Where ZIP 19944 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 7b 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 8a means →
Frost forecast — next 7 nights
live from the National Weather ServiceLoading the forecast for Fenwick Island, 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 Fenwick Island, DE
A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 26 and returns around November 14.
From the NOAA station Ocean City Municipal Airport, MD — 12 miles away, elevation 13 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 19944
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 19944 came on Mar 12 — 3 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 9).
Mar 92026
Mar 12
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 Fenwick Island, DE
The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 19944 is Brockatonorton — sand, moderately well drained.
Map unit: Brockatonorton-Urban land complex, 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 19944; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.
Climate in Fenwick Island, DE
Average high and low, by month
Precipitation by month inches
NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Ocean City Municipal Airport, MD (12 mi away); precipitation: Bishopville 3.1 E, MD (5 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.
Nearby ZIP codes
4 of the 8 nearest ZIP codes are in a different zone — elevation and distance from water change winter lows quickly.
Questions about 19944
What planting zone is ZIP code 19944?
ZIP code 19944 (Fenwick Island, DE) is in USDA hardiness zone 8a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 10 to 15 °F (−12.2 to −9.4 °C).
When is the last frost in Fenwick Island, DE?
The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 19944 is April 7; after April 23 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Ocean City Municipal Airport station.
When is the first frost in Fenwick Island, DE?
The median first fall frost near 19944 is November 2, giving a median frost-free growing season of 209 days.
When should I plant tomatoes in 19944?
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 19944 get?
About 52.8 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Bishopville 3.1 E station).
How hot do summers get in Fenwick Island, DE?
The average high peaks at 84 °F in July, with about 13 days a year at 90 °F or more.
What kind of soil does 19944 have?
The USDA soil survey maps Brockatonorton at the center of ZIP 19944: sand, moderately well drained, pH about 4.9 (strongly acidic).
Did spring come early in Fenwick Island, DE in 2026?
Spring leaf-out near 19944 came on Mar 12 in 2026, 3 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 9), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.
What kind of onions grow in Fenwick Island, DE?
Intermediate onions: the longest day near 19944 is 14 h 51 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.
Did the zone for 19944 change?
Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 19944 in zone 7b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.