Frost dates for 02842Middletown, RI
The average last spring frost in Middletown is April 11 and the average first fall frost is November 4, giving a typical growing season of about 206 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 11
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 4
- Growing season
- 206 days
Safer after Apr 24 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 22 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 3 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 15 · Apr 27 · May 8 | Oct 10 · Oct 24 · Nov 6 | 179 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 31 · Apr 11 · Apr 24 | Oct 22 · Nov 4 · Nov 17 | 206 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 17 · Mar 31 · Apr 10 | Nov 2 · Nov 16 · Dec 2 | 230 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Middletown
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 | Mar 11 – May 17 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 27 – Jul 15 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 11 – Apr 11 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 11 – Jun 11 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 28 – Apr 26 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 11 – Jun 11 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 11 – Jul 25 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 27 – Jun 11 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 11 – Jun 11 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 27 – Aug 17 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 27 – Jul 15 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 11 – Jun 11 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 4 – May 27 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 11 – Apr 26 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 11 – May 11 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 28 – Feb 24 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – Apr 26 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 21 – Mar 27 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – Apr 26 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Jul 15 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 4 – Aug 15 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 11 – Mar 11 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 11 – Apr 11 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Jul 25 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Aug 25 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 11 – May 27 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Sep 10 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Apr 17 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 11 – Sep 15 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 11 – May 1 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Sep 25 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – Apr 17 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Aug 25 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 11 – May 27 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Aug 10 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 25 – Nov 25 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 02842 is matched to the NOAA station Newport State Ap, RI, 1.7 km away, at 172 ft elevation (2 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Newport State Ap, RI (used) | 172 ft | Apr 11 | Nov 4 |
| Newport Rose, RI | 15 ft | Apr 7 | Nov 13 |
| Tiverton, RI | 90 ft | Apr 11 | Nov 2 |
| Kingston 1 Nw, RI | 115 ft | Apr 27 | Oct 15 |
Frost dates near Middletown
- Adamsville, RI 02801 · last Apr 11, first Nov 4
- Newport, RI 02841 · last Apr 11, first Nov 4
- Portsmouth, RI 02871 · last Apr 11, first Nov 4
- Jamestown, RI 02835 · last Apr 11, first Nov 4
- Little Compton, RI 02837 · last Apr 11, first Nov 2
- Saunderstown, RI 02874 · last Apr 27, first Oct 15
- Tiverton, RI 02878 · last Apr 11, first Nov 2
- Westport Point, MA 02791 · last Apr 11, first Nov 2
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Middletown, RI?
- For ZIP code 02842, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 11, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Newport State Ap, RI weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 24.
- When is the first frost in Middletown, RI?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 4. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 22, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 02842?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 206 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.