Agriculture in Delaware
ZIP codes in our Delaware data
USDA hardiness zones present
Agriculture is one of Delaware's oldest and most important industries, with farmland covering a large share of the state's land area despite Delaware being one of the smallest states in the country. The sector is anchored by broiler chicken production, which drives much of the demand for the state's grain crops. For growers and gardeners, Delaware's mix of poultry, field crops, and diverse specialty produce makes it a productive place to farm on the fertile soils of the Delmarva Peninsula.
Farming in Delaware
Broiler chickens are by far Delaware's leading agricultural product, and poultry accounts for the majority of the state's total farm cash receipts. Much of the corn and soybeans grown in the state are used as feed for that poultry industry, making grain and poultry closely linked. Delaware farmers also produce wheat, barley, sorghum, and hay, along with a strong lineup of vegetables and fruits such as sweet corn, watermelons, potatoes, snap beans, peas, cucumbers, and melons. Dairy and other livestock are present but play a smaller role, and the flat, sandy-loam soils of the coastal plain support both large field operations and smaller produce farms.
Climate and growing conditions
Delaware has a humid, temperate climate with hot, muggy summers and generally mild winters moderated by the Atlantic Ocean and Delaware Bay. The frost-free growing season runs roughly 180 to 200 days, typically from mid-April through late October, though coastal areas near the water tend to run a bit longer. USDA hardiness zones range from about 7a in the northern part of the state to 7b along the southern and coastal areas, so most gardeners work within zone 7.
Major agricultural products
- Broiler chickens
- Corn
- Soybeans
- Wheat
- Watermelons and melons
- Sweet corn
- Potatoes
- Dairy products
Hardiness zones in Delaware
Growers in Delaware fall across these USDA plant hardiness zones (by number of ZIP codes in our data):
Local weather & frost dates in Delaware
Open any location for its live forecast, frost dates, and planting calendar:
Counties in Delaware
Browse local growing conditions, hardiness zones, and weather by county (5 counties):
Market prices & data for Delaware
State overviews combine hardiness-zone data from our ZIP database with public USDA market reports and NOAA climate normals. For farm-level decisions, consult your state's Cooperative Extension service. Page updated Aug 4, 2026.