Frost dates for 02881Kingston, RI
The average last spring frost in Kingston is May 1 and the average first fall frost is October 12, giving a typical growing season of about 163 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 1
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 12
- Growing season
- 163 days
Safer after May 18 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 1 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 181 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 29 · May 14 · May 28 | Sep 20 · Oct 2 · Oct 14 | 140 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 19 · May 1 · May 18 | Oct 1 · Oct 12 · Oct 27 | 163 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 3 · Apr 18 · May 3 | Oct 11 · Oct 25 · Nov 8 | 190 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Kingston
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 31 – Jun 6 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 17 – Jun 22 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 31 – May 1 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 31 – Jul 1 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 17 – May 16 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 31 – Jul 1 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 31 – Jul 2 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 17 – Jul 1 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 31 – Jul 1 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 17 – Jul 25 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 17 – Jun 22 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 31 – Jul 1 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 24 – Jun 16 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – May 16 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – May 31 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 17 – Mar 16 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 17 – May 16 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 13 – Apr 16 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 17 – May 16 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 12 – Jun 22 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Jul 23 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 3 – Mar 31 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – May 1 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 2 – Jul 2 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Aug 2 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – Jun 16 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Aug 18 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – May 7 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 19 – Aug 23 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – May 21 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Sep 2 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 17 – May 7 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Aug 2 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 1 – Jun 16 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 2 – Jul 18 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 2 – Nov 2 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 02881 is matched to the NOAA station Kingston 1 W, RI, 1.1 km away, at 106 ft elevation (71 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kingston 1 W, RI (used) | 106 ft | May 1 | Oct 12 |
| Kingston 1 Nw, RI | 115 ft | Apr 27 | Oct 15 |
| Kingston, RI | 117 ft | May 3 | Oct 8 |
| Newport Rose, RI | 15 ft | Apr 7 | Nov 13 |
Frost dates near Kingston
- Wakefield, RI 02879 · last May 1, first Oct 12
- Peace Dale, RI 02883 · last May 1, first Oct 12
- Slocum, RI 02877 · last Apr 27, first Oct 15
- Narragansett, RI 02882 · last May 1, first Oct 12
- Saunderstown, RI 02874 · last Apr 27, first Oct 15
- West Kingston, RI 02892 · last May 3, first Oct 8
- Kenyon, RI 02836 · last May 1, first Oct 12
- Shannock, RI 02875 · last May 3, first Oct 8
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Kingston, RI?
- For ZIP code 02881, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 1, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Kingston 1 W, RI weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 18.
- When is the first frost in Kingston, RI?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 12. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 1, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 02881?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 163 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.