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

Planting zone for 19968 — Milton, DE

ZIP code 19968 (Milton, Sussex County) is in USDA zone 7b: the coldest winter night averages 5 to 10 °F. The median last spring frost is March 29 and the first fall frost November 14.

Where ZIP 19968 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 frostMar 29

First frostNov 14

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 Milton, 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 Milton, DE

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMarch 29median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 9only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 14median — 10% chance by Nov 1

Growing season231 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 16 and returns around November 28.

From the NOAA station Lewes, DE — 7 miles away, elevation 10 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 19968

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 15 – Mar 1

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 15 – Mar 8

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 18 – Feb 1

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 8 – Mar 22

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 1 – Mar 15

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 8 – Mar 22

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 1 – Mar 15

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 8 – Mar 22

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 1 – Feb 15

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 5 – Apr 19

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 18 – Feb 1

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 12 – Apr 26

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 5 – Apr 19

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 5 – Apr 19

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 5 – Apr 19

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 19 – Oct 3

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 31 – Dec 5

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 29) and first fall frost (Nov 14) 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 19968 came on Mar 11 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Mar 11).

average
Mar 112026
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 Milton, DE.

Soil in Milton, DE

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 19968 is Glassboro — sandy loam, somewhat poorly drained.

TextureSandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

pH6.4slightly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageSomewhat poorly drainedconsider raised beds

Organic matter1.5%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupA/Ddrains fast once dried out; wet otherwise

Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Glassboro sandy loam, 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 19968; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Milton, DE

Summer high88 °Faverage high, July

Winter low30 °Faverage low, January

Hot days29days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights59nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days4,422base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 53 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 27 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation48.8 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: Lewes, DE (7 mi away); precipitation: Milton 3.8 Sse, DE (4 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

Georgetown, DE · 10 mi

199718a

Rehoboth Beach, DE · 11 mi

199637b

Milford, DE · 12 mi

Delaware planting zones →

Questions about 19968

What planting zone is ZIP code 19968?

ZIP code 19968 (Milton, 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 Milton, DE?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 19968 is March 29; after April 9 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Lewes station.

When is the first frost in Milton, DE?

The median first fall frost near 19968 is November 14, giving a median frost-free growing season of 231 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 19968?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 1 – Feb 15 and set transplants outside around Apr 5 – Apr 19, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 19968 get?

About 48.8 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Milton 3.8 Sse station).

How hot do summers get in Milton, DE?

The average high peaks at 88 °F in July, with about 29 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 19968 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Glassboro at the center of ZIP 19968: sandy loam, somewhat poorly drained, pH about 6.4 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in Milton, DE in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 19968 came on Mar 11 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Mar 11), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Milton, DE?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 19968 is 14 h 53 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.