Frost dates for 02874Saunderstown, RI
The average last spring frost in Saunderstown is April 27 and the average first fall frost is October 15, giving a typical growing season of about 171 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 27
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 15
- Growing season
- 171 days
Safer after May 11 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 2 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 177 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 27 · May 8 · May 22 | Sep 24 · Oct 5 · Oct 18 | 148 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 14 · Apr 27 · May 11 | Oct 2 · Oct 15 · Nov 1 | 171 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 31 · Apr 13 · Apr 29 | Oct 13 · Oct 29 · Nov 13 | 196 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Saunderstown
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 27 – Jun 2 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 13 – Jun 25 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 27 – Apr 27 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 27 – Jun 27 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 13 – May 12 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 27 – Jun 27 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 27 – Jul 5 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 13 – Jun 27 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 27 – Jun 27 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 13 – Jul 28 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 13 – Jun 25 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 27 – Jun 27 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 20 – Jun 12 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – May 12 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – May 27 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 13 – Mar 12 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 13 – May 12 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 9 – Apr 12 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 13 – May 12 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 15 – Jun 25 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Jul 26 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 27 – Mar 27 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – Apr 27 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 5 – Jul 5 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Aug 5 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – Jun 12 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Aug 21 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 20 – May 3 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Aug 26 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – May 17 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Sep 5 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 13 – May 3 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Aug 5 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 27 – Jun 12 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 5 – Jul 21 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 5 – Nov 5 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 02874 is matched to the NOAA station Kingston 1 Nw, RI, 8.5 km away, at 115 ft elevation (86 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kingston 1 Nw, RI (used) | 115 ft | Apr 27 | Oct 15 |
| Newport Rose, RI | 15 ft | Apr 7 | Nov 13 |
| Kingston, RI | 117 ft | May 3 | Oct 8 |
| Kingston 1 W, RI | 106 ft | May 1 | Oct 12 |
Frost dates near Saunderstown
- Jamestown, RI 02835 · last Apr 11, first Nov 4
- Slocum, RI 02877 · last Apr 27, first Oct 15
- Kingston, RI 02881 · last May 1, first Oct 12
- Peace Dale, RI 02883 · last May 1, first Oct 12
- Narragansett, RI 02882 · last May 1, first Oct 12
- North Kingstown, RI 02852 · last Apr 11, first Oct 30
- Newport, RI 02840 · last Apr 11, first Nov 4
- Wakefield, RI 02879 · last May 1, first Oct 12
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Saunderstown, RI?
- For ZIP code 02874, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 27, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Kingston 1 Nw, RI weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 11.
- When is the first frost in Saunderstown, RI?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 15. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 2, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 02874?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 171 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.