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When to plant Mint in Felton,

Plant Mint in Felton, between April 9 and April 23 — the only viable window. Zone 7b's short season (216 frost-free days) rules out a fall crop.

When to Plant Mint in Felton, DE

Mint
Felton, DE Zone 7b June

This month in Felton, DE

If you only do a handful of things in the garden this June, make it these. They're sequenced around your zone's frost timing.

Avg. last frost April 2
Avg. first frost November 4
Soil temp (4") 76°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.7 hrs
  1. Basket week: mint

    If you can't use it all right away, check the food-preservation section of your planner.

July prep starts now
  • First harvests: mint

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Mint is a vigorous perennial herb with refreshing, aromatic leaves used in teas, cocktails, and cooking. It spreads aggressively by underground runners.

Felton, Delaware is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 2 and the first fall frost is November 4, giving you a growing season of approximately 216 days.

At an elevation of 128 feet, Kent County receives approximately 47.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 88°F, providing good warmth for Mint during the growing season.

Felton, DE (Zone 7b) Long season
216 days
Last Spring Frost April 2
216 growing days
First Fall Frost November 4
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Felton Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.8-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Mint Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (76 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 4 🍅 Harvest: Jun 6 – Aug 15
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (76 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 9 🍅 Harvest: Jun 11 – Aug 20
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (71 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 25 🍅 Harvest: Jun 27 – Sep 5

Percentages indicate frost risk at transplant. The 70% safe window means there is a 30% chance of frost after transplant — suitable for cold-hardy crops or gardeners with frost protection. The 90% safe window is best for tender plants.

Soil Compatibility in Felton

How your county's soil matches Mint's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.8–6.8) overlaps with Mint's range (6.0–7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The silt loam soil in Kent County is excellent for Mint — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (3.2%). Annual compost additions will help Mint.

How to Plant Mint

0.5"
Planting Depth
8"
Between Plants
12"
Between Rows

Succession Planting Mint

4
successive plantings in your 216-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 06 to harvest before frost.

Mint Water Budget

Plant needs
0.7″/week
Rainfall provides
0.9″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft

Monthly Watering Guide for Mint

Mint needs approximately 0.7 inches of water per week (3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Mint Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 2.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 3.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 3" 4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 3" 4.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 3" 3.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 3" 5.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 3" 4.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 3" 3.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 3" 4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 3" 3.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Dec 3.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Nov in Kent County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Mint Heat Requirements (GDD)

What are Growing Degree Days (GDD)?

Growing Degree Days measure the total warmth your plants receive during the growing season. Think of it as a "heat bank" — every day above 50°F deposits warmth that helps your plants grow.

Each plant needs a certain amount of accumulated heat to mature. If your county provides more GDD than the plant needs, it's a great fit. If it's close, you may want to choose faster-maturing varieties or start seeds indoors to get a head start.

Mint needs ~1,200 GDD — county provides 3,456 GDD Excellent fit

Mint Planting Timeline — Felton, DE

Mint Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 9 Apr 9 – Apr 23
Harvest June 11 Jun 11 – Aug 20

Plant 0.5" deep · 8" apart · Rows 12" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March
April Transplant Outdoors
May
June Harvest
July Harvest
August Harvest
September
October
November
December
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Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

💧 Water

0.7"/week · Natural rainfall sufficient

📅 Days to Maturity

60–90 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 7b

📆 Growing Season

216 days in Kent County

Growing Tips for Mint in Felton

Direct sow Mint outdoors after April 02 in Kent County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

General growing tips

Always grow mint in containers or with underground barriers to control spreading. Harvest regularly to keep plants compact. Cut plants back in late summer for a fresh fall flush.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Parsley

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

When should I plant Mint in Felton, ?

In Felton, , plant Mint after the last frost (around April 2) and before the first frost (around November 4). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Felton, for Mint?

Felton sits in USDA Zone 7b. Mint grows reliably in zones 3a through 10b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Mint grow in Felton's climate?

Yes — Mint grows well in Felton's temperate climate. Felton averages a 216-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 2 and first frost around November 4.

🌱

Your Kent County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Kent County (Zone 7b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

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