Exeter, RI frost dates
Last spring frostApr 27median date
First fall frostOct 15median date
Growing season171 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone6bZone 6b
How Exeter compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Exeter falls between April 14 and May 11, a 27-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 2 and November 1.
- The median last frost is 5 days later than the Rhode Island median of Apr 22.
- Its 171-day growing season is longer than 14% of the 70 Rhode Island places with a regular frost season (state median 181 days).
- The last frost is 5 days later than the zone 6b median of Apr 22. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 6b chart.
- The weather station records an average of 130 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Warwick, RI, 23 km away, the last frost here is 16 days later than there and the growing season is 31 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 14 |
| 50% (median) | April 27 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 11 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 2 |
| 50% (median) | October 15 |
| 90% (late) | November 1 |
Frost here means 32°F (0°C). A median date means half of years have their last frost earlier and half later.
Planting calendar for Exeter, RI
Exeter, RI frost dates — last frost Apr 27, first frost Oct 15, zone 6b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Feb 2 to Feb 16Transplant outside: Mar 30 to Apr 13
Start indoors: Feb 16 to Mar 2Transplant outside: May 11 to May 25
Start indoors: Feb 16 to Mar 2Transplant outside: May 11 to May 25
Start indoors: Mar 2 to Mar 16Transplant outside: May 4 to May 18
Start indoors: Mar 2 to Mar 16Transplant outside: Apr 6 to Apr 20Sow outdoors: Mar 30 to May 4Plant for fall: Aug 20 to Sep 17
Start indoors: Mar 2 to Mar 16Transplant outside: Mar 30 to Apr 13Sow outdoors: Mar 30 to Apr 13Plant for fall: Aug 6 to Aug 27
Start indoors: Mar 2 to Mar 16Transplant outside: Apr 13 to Apr 27Plant for fall: Jul 9 to Jul 30
Start indoors: Mar 2 to Mar 16Transplant outside: Apr 6 to Apr 20Plant for fall: Jul 9 to Jul 30
Start indoors: Mar 2 to Mar 16Transplant outside: Apr 13 to Apr 27Plant for fall: Jul 9 to Jul 30
Start indoors: Mar 16 to Mar 30Transplant outside: May 18 to Jun 1Sow outdoors: May 18 to Jun 1
Start indoors: Mar 16 to Mar 30Transplant outside: May 4 to May 18
Sow outdoors: Mar 16 to Apr 6Plant for fall: Jul 23 to Aug 13
Sow outdoors: Mar 16 to Apr 6Plant for fall: Aug 20 to Sep 10
Sow outdoors: Mar 23 to May 4Plant for fall: Sep 3 to Sep 24
Start indoors: Mar 30 to Apr 6Transplant outside: May 11 to May 18Sow outdoors: May 4 to May 18Plant for fall: Jul 30 to Aug 13
Start indoors: Mar 30 to Apr 6Sow outdoors: May 4 to May 18Plant for fall: Aug 6 to Aug 20
Start indoors: Mar 30 to Apr 6Sow outdoors: May 4 to May 18
Start indoors: Mar 30 to Apr 6Transplant outside: May 11 to May 25
Sow outdoors: Apr 6 to May 4Plant for fall: Jul 23 to Aug 6
Sow outdoors: Apr 6 to May 4Plant for fall: Aug 6 to Aug 20
Sow outdoors: Apr 6 to Apr 27
Sow outdoors: Apr 13 to May 11Plant for fall: Aug 6 to Aug 20
Sow outdoors: Apr 13 to May 4Plant for fall: Aug 20 to Sep 10
Sow outdoors: May 4 to May 25Plant for fall: Jul 30 to Aug 13
Sow outdoors: May 4 to May 18
Transplant outside: May 11 to Jun 1
Plant for fall: Oct 1 to Nov 5
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Exeter, RI
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 2 – Feb 16 | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 16 – Mar 2 | May 11 – May 25 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 16 – Mar 2 | May 11 – May 25 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | May 4 – May 18 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | Mar 30 – May 4 | Aug 20 – Sep 17 |
| Kale | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | Aug 6 – Aug 27 |
| Broccoli | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | — | Jul 9 – Jul 30 |
| Cabbage | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | — | Jul 9 – Jul 30 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | — | Jul 9 – Jul 30 |
| Okra | Mar 16 – Mar 30 | May 18 – Jun 1 | May 18 – Jun 1 | — |
| Basil | Mar 16 – Mar 30 | May 4 – May 18 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 16 – Apr 6 | Jul 23 – Aug 13 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 16 – Apr 6 | Aug 20 – Sep 10 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 23 – May 4 | Sep 3 – Sep 24 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 30 – Apr 6 | May 11 – May 18 | May 4 – May 18 | Jul 30 – Aug 13 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 30 – Apr 6 | — | May 4 – May 18 | Aug 6 – Aug 20 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 30 – Apr 6 | — | May 4 – May 18 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 30 – Apr 6 | May 11 – May 25 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 6 – May 4 | Jul 23 – Aug 6 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 6 – May 4 | Aug 6 – Aug 20 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 6 – Apr 27 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 13 – May 11 | Aug 6 – Aug 20 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 13 – May 4 | Aug 20 – Sep 10 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 4 – May 25 | Jul 30 – Aug 13 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 4 – May 18 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 11 – Jun 1 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 1 – Nov 5 |
Dates come from the median frost dates and common extension-service timing. Adjust for your soil temperature, microclimate and the varieties you grow.
About these dates
Based on 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for the Kingston 1 Nw, RI weather station, 11 km away (elevation 115 ft (35 m)).
Frost dates near Exeter
- West Kingston May 3 · Oct 8
- West Greenwich Apr 22 · Oct 20
- Slocum Apr 27 · Oct 15
- Wyoming May 3 · Oct 8
- North Kingstown Apr 22 · Oct 20
- Kingston May 1 · Oct 12
- Hope Valley May 3 · Oct 8
- Carolina May 1 · Oct 12
- Coventry Apr 22 · Oct 20
- Shannock May 1 · Oct 12
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Exeter, RI?
The median last spring frost in Exeter, RI is April 27. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 11, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Exeter, RI?
The median first fall frost is October 15, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 2.
How long is the growing season in Exeter, RI?
About 171 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Exeter, RI?
Exeter, RI is in USDA hardiness zone 6b.