Frost dates for 02878Tiverton, RI
The average last spring frost in Tiverton is April 11 and the average first fall frost is November 2, giving a typical growing season of about 203 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 11
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 2
- Growing season
- 203 days
Safer after Apr 22 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 20 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 1 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 26 · May 7 | Oct 8 · Oct 21 · Nov 3 | 178 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 1 · Apr 11 · Apr 22 | Oct 20 · Nov 2 · Nov 15 | 203 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 19 · Mar 31 · Apr 11 | Nov 2 · Nov 13 · Nov 30 | 227 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Tiverton
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 13 |
| 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 23 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 27 – Jun 11 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 11 – Jun 11 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 27 – Aug 15 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 27 – Jul 13 |
| 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 3 – Jul 13 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 2 – Aug 13 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 11 – Mar 11 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 11 – Apr 11 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 23 – Jul 23 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 23 – Aug 23 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 11 – May 27 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 23 – Sep 8 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Apr 17 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 9 – Sep 13 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 11 – May 1 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 23 – Sep 23 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – Apr 17 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Aug 23 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 11 – May 27 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 23 – Aug 8 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 23 – Nov 23 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 02878 is matched to the NOAA station Tiverton, RI, 2.5 km away, at 90 ft elevation (61 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tiverton, RI (used) | 90 ft | Apr 11 | Nov 2 |
| Newport State Ap, RI | 172 ft | Apr 11 | Nov 4 |
| New Bedford Muni Ap, MA | 80 ft | Apr 29 | Oct 15 |
| Newport Rose, RI | 15 ft | Apr 7 | Nov 13 |
Frost dates near Tiverton
- Fall River, MA 02724 · last Apr 11, first Nov 2
- Portsmouth, RI 02871 · last Apr 11, first Nov 4
- Westport, MA 02790 · last Apr 11, first Nov 2
- Bristol, RI 02809 · last Apr 11, first Nov 2
- Somerset, MA 02725 · last Apr 11, first Nov 2
- Prudence Island, RI 02872 · last Apr 11, first Oct 30
- Little Compton, RI 02837 · last Apr 11, first Nov 2
- Warren, RI 02885 · last Apr 11, first Nov 2
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Tiverton, RI?
- For ZIP code 02878, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 11, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Tiverton, RI weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 22.
- When is the first frost in Tiverton, RI?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 2. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 20, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 02878?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 203 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.