Gardening in Delaware: Home

Gardening in Delaware can be challenging. While the state of Delaware is small, it is comprised of two different growing environments—the piedmont and coastal plane. The piedmont covers about 5% of the land area of Delaware and exists on only the northern most corner of the state. The piedmont is characterized by low rolling hills and steeply incised stream valleys. Soils in the valleys are rich and loamy and steep slopes are eroded and stony. The coastal plain, covering the other 95% of Delaware is characterized by little topographic relief, slow-moving streams, and extensive tidal estuaries. The soil is sandy, but has a wide drainage range from excessively drained beach sands to poorly drained tidal marsh and swamp muck. While most of Delaware is considered coastal plain, in actuality soils range dramatically from heavy clays in New Castle county and Northern Kent county to sandy soils in southern Delaware. However, pockets of clay soils can be found in Sussex and Kent Counties.

College of Agriculture, Science & Technology
1200 N Dupont Hwy Dover, DE 19901

30220 Piney Neck Road, Dagsboro, DE 19939

Website for local gardening clubs throughout the state of Delaware.

200 Hagley Creek Road, Wilmington, DE 19807

31401 Melloy Court, Lewes, DE 19958

3120 Barley Mill Road, Hockessin, DE 19707

1600 Rockland Road, Wilmington, DE 19803

152 Townsend Hall, Newark, DE 19716

5105 Kennett Pike, Winterthur, DE 19735