Frost dates for 02863Central Falls, RI
The average last spring frost in Central Falls is April 22 and the average first fall frost is October 19, giving a typical growing season of about 179 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 22
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 19
- Growing season
- 179 days
Safer after May 6 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 5 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 172 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 23 · May 5 · May 19 | Sep 26 · Oct 7 · Oct 23 | 156 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 9 · Apr 22 · May 6 | Oct 5 · Oct 19 · Nov 2 | 179 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 28 · Apr 7 · Apr 20 | Oct 16 · Oct 31 · Nov 14 | 205 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Central Falls
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 22 – May 28 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 8 – Jun 29 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 22 – Apr 22 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 22 – Jun 22 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 8 – May 7 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 22 – Jun 22 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 22 – Jul 9 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 8 – Jun 22 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 22 – Jun 22 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 8 – Aug 1 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 8 – Jun 29 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 22 – Jun 22 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 15 – Jun 7 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – May 7 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – May 22 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 8 – Mar 7 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – May 7 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Apr 7 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – May 7 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 19 – Jun 29 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 19 – Jul 30 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 22 – Mar 22 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – Apr 22 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 9 – Jul 9 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Aug 9 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – Jun 7 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Aug 25 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 15 – Apr 28 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 26 – Aug 30 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – May 12 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Sep 9 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – Apr 28 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Aug 9 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 22 – Jun 7 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 9 – Jul 25 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 9 – Nov 9 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 02863 is matched to the NOAA station Woonsocket, RI, 13.3 km away, at 110 ft elevation (5 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Woonsocket, RI (used) | 110 ft | Apr 22 | Oct 19 |
| Providence T F Green Ap, RI | 60 ft | Apr 11 | Oct 30 |
| Norton W, MA | 95 ft | Apr 27 | Oct 15 |
| Nws Boston/Norton, MA | 85 ft | Apr 23 | Oct 17 |
Frost dates near Central Falls
- Pawtucket, RI 02860 · last Apr 22, first Oct 19
- Lincoln, RI 02865 · last Apr 22, first Oct 19
- Providence, RI 02904 · last Apr 11, first Oct 30
- Rumford, RI 02916 · last Apr 11, first Oct 30
- Cumberland, RI 02864 · last Apr 22, first Oct 19
- North Providence, RI 02911 · last Apr 22, first Oct 19
- Seekonk, MA 02771 · last Apr 11, first Oct 30
- East Providence, RI 02914 · last Apr 11, first Oct 30
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Central Falls, RI?
- For ZIP code 02863, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 22, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Woonsocket, RI weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 6.
- When is the first frost in Central Falls, RI?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 19. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 5, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 02863?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 179 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.