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When to Plant Figs in Sussex County, DE

Figs are ancient fruiting trees or shrubs producing uniquely sweet fruits with soft flesh. They are surprisingly cold-hardy for a Mediterranean plant and thrive against warm walls.

Sussex County, Delaware is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 3 and the first fall frost is November 7, giving you a growing season of approximately 218 days.

At an elevation of 1,090 feet, Sussex County receives approximately 46 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 88ยฐF, providing good warmth for Figs during the growing season.

Sussex County, DE (Zone 7b) Long season
218 days
Last Spring Frost April 3
218 growing days
First Fall Frost November 7

Sussex County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.6-6.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Monthly Watering Guide for Figs

Figs needs approximately 1 inches of water per week (4.3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Figs Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan โ€” 3.5" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Feb โ€” 3.5" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Mar โ€” 3.9" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Apr 4.3" 3.7" 0.6" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
May 4.3" 4.5" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Jun 4.3" 3.7" 0.6" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Jul 4.3" 5.3" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 4.1" 0.2" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Sep 4.3" 3.9" 0.4" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Oct 4.3" 3.4" 0.9" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Nov 4.3" 3.2" 1.1" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Dec โ€” 3.3" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Aprโ€“Nov in Sussex County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall โ€” actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Figs Planting Timeline โ€” Sussex County, DE

Figs Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 24 Apr 24 โ€“ May 8

ยท 120" apart ยท Rows 144" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April Transplant Outdoors
May Transplant Outdoors
June โ€”
July โ€”
August โ€”
September โ€”
October โ€”
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

730โ€“1825 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“6.5 ยท Your soil: N/A

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 7b

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

218 days in Sussex County

Growing Tips for Sussex County

Plant against a south-facing wall for maximum heat. Restrict root growth with barriers to encourage fruiting over vegetative growth. Protect in winter with wrapping in cold zones.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Figs in Sussex County, DE?

Sussex County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of April 3. Plan your Figs planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Sussex County, DE?

Sussex County, Delaware is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 3 and first fall frost is November 7.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Sussex County gardeners in Zone 7b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Sussex County, DE. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.