Frost dates for 02822Exeter, RI
The average last spring frost in Exeter is May 3 and the average first fall frost is October 8, giving a typical growing season of about 159 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 3
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 8
- Growing season
- 159 days
Safer after May 16 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 30 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 183 days
Frost risk by date
NOAA reports frost dates as probabilities. The middle date is the average (a 50% chance). For spring, the 10% date is a safer planting date: frost after it happens in about 1 year in 10. Light frost (36°F) can damage tender plants; a hard freeze (28°F) kills most annuals.
| Temperature | Last spring: 90% / 50% / 10% chance | First fall: 10% / 50% / 90% chance | Growing season (50%) | Years with at least one |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light frost (36°F) | Apr 30 · May 14 · May 27 | Sep 17 · Oct 1 · Oct 11 | 138 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 21 · May 3 · May 16 | Sep 30 · Oct 8 · Oct 23 | 159 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 6 · Apr 20 · May 5 | Oct 5 · Oct 20 · Nov 4 | 183 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Exeter
Planting windows from the University of Maryland Extension calendar, shifted to your average frost dates. Use them as a starting point and adjust for seed packet instructions and local conditions.
| Crop | Task | Window |
|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Start seeds indoors | Apr 2 – Jun 8 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 19 – Jun 18 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 2 – May 3 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 2 – Jul 3 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 19 – May 18 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 2 – Jul 3 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 2 – Jun 28 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 19 – Jul 3 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 2 – Jul 3 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 19 – Jul 21 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 19 – Jun 18 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 2 – Jul 3 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 26 – Jun 18 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – May 18 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – Jun 2 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 19 – Mar 18 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 19 – May 18 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 15 – Apr 18 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 19 – May 18 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 8 – Jun 18 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Jul 19 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 2 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – May 3 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 29 – Jun 28 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Jul 29 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – Jun 18 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Aug 14 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – May 9 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Aug 19 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – May 23 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Aug 29 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 19 – May 9 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 21 – Jul 29 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 3 – Jun 18 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 29 – Jul 14 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 28 – Oct 29 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 02822 is matched to the NOAA station Kingston, RI, 10.7 km away, at 117 ft elevation (237 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kingston, RI (used) | 117 ft | May 3 | Oct 8 |
| Kingston 1 Nw, RI | 115 ft | Apr 27 | Oct 15 |
| Coventry 2, RI | 280 ft | Apr 22 | Oct 20 |
| Kingston 1 W, RI | 106 ft | May 1 | Oct 12 |
Frost dates near Exeter
- West Kingston, RI 02892 · last May 3, first Oct 8
- West Greenwich, RI 02817 · last Apr 22, first Oct 20
- Slocum, RI 02877 · last Apr 27, first Oct 15
- Wyoming, RI 02898 · last May 3, first Oct 8
- North Kingstown, RI 02852 · last Apr 11, first Oct 30
- Kingston, RI 02881 · last May 1, first Oct 12
- Hope Valley, RI 02832 · last May 3, first Oct 8
- Carolina, RI 02812 · last May 3, first Oct 8
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Exeter, RI?
- For ZIP code 02822, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 3, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Kingston, RI weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 16.
- When is the first frost in Exeter, RI?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 8. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 30, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 02822?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 159 days long.
- Are these frost dates a forecast?
- No. They are 30-year averages and probabilities from NOAA weather station records. Use them to plan, then watch your local forecast before planting tender crops or leaving them uncovered.