Frost dates for 02880 — Wakefield, RI
Last spring frostApr 11median date
First fall frostOct 31median date
Growing season203 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone7aZone 7a
How Wakefield compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Wakefield falls between March 31 and April 26, a 26-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 16 and November 12.
- The median last frost is 11 days earlier than the Rhode Island median of Apr 22.
- Its 203-day growing season is longer than 73% of the 70 Rhode Island places with a regular frost season (state median 181 days).
- The last frost is 5 days earlier than the zone 7a median of Apr 16. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 7a chart.
- The weather station records an average of 109 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Warwick, RI, 43 km away, the last frost here is the same as there and the growing season is 1 day longer.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 31 |
| 50% (median) | April 11 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 26 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 16 |
| 50% (median) | October 31 |
| 90% (late) | November 12 |
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 Wakefield, RI
Frost dates for 02880 — Wakefield, RI — last frost Apr 11, first frost Oct 31, zone 7a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 17 to Jan 31Transplant outside: Mar 14 to Mar 28
Start indoors: Jan 31 to Feb 14Transplant outside: Apr 25 to May 9
Start indoors: Jan 31 to Feb 14Transplant outside: Apr 25 to May 9
Start indoors: Feb 14 to Feb 28Transplant outside: Apr 18 to May 2
Start indoors: Feb 14 to Feb 28Transplant outside: Mar 21 to Apr 4Sow outdoors: Mar 14 to Apr 18Plant for fall: Sep 5 to Oct 3
Start indoors: Feb 14 to Feb 28Transplant outside: Mar 14 to Mar 28Sow outdoors: Mar 14 to Mar 28Plant for fall: Aug 22 to Sep 12
Start indoors: Feb 14 to Feb 28Transplant outside: Mar 28 to Apr 11Plant for fall: Jul 25 to Aug 15
Start indoors: Feb 14 to Feb 28Transplant outside: Mar 21 to Apr 4Plant for fall: Jul 25 to Aug 15
Start indoors: Feb 14 to Feb 28Transplant outside: Mar 28 to Apr 11Plant for fall: Jul 25 to Aug 15
Start indoors: Feb 28 to Mar 14Transplant outside: May 2 to May 16Sow outdoors: May 2 to May 16
Start indoors: Feb 28 to Mar 14Transplant outside: Apr 18 to May 2
Sow outdoors: Feb 28 to Mar 21Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Aug 29
Sow outdoors: Feb 28 to Mar 21Plant for fall: Sep 5 to Sep 26
Sow outdoors: Mar 7 to Apr 18Plant for fall: Sep 19 to Oct 10
Start indoors: Mar 14 to Mar 21Transplant outside: Apr 25 to May 2Sow outdoors: Apr 18 to May 2Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Aug 29
Start indoors: Mar 14 to Mar 21Sow outdoors: Apr 18 to May 2Plant for fall: Aug 22 to Sep 5
Start indoors: Mar 14 to Mar 21Sow outdoors: Apr 18 to May 2
Start indoors: Mar 14 to Mar 21Transplant outside: Apr 25 to May 9
Sow outdoors: Mar 21 to Apr 18Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Aug 22
Sow outdoors: Mar 21 to Apr 18Plant for fall: Aug 22 to Sep 5
Sow outdoors: Mar 21 to Apr 11
Sow outdoors: Mar 28 to Apr 25Plant for fall: Aug 22 to Sep 5
Sow outdoors: Mar 28 to Apr 18Plant for fall: Sep 5 to Sep 26
Sow outdoors: Apr 18 to May 9Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Aug 29
Sow outdoors: Apr 18 to May 2
Transplant outside: Apr 25 to May 16
Plant for fall: Oct 17 to Nov 21
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Wakefield, RI
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 17 – Jan 31 | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 31 – Feb 14 | Apr 25 – May 9 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 31 – Feb 14 | Apr 25 – May 9 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | Apr 18 – May 2 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | Mar 14 – Apr 18 | Sep 5 – Oct 3 |
| Kale | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | Aug 22 – Sep 12 |
| Broccoli | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | — | Jul 25 – Aug 15 |
| Cabbage | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | — | Jul 25 – Aug 15 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | — | Jul 25 – Aug 15 |
| Okra | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | May 2 – May 16 | May 2 – May 16 | — |
| Basil | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | Apr 18 – May 2 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 28 – Mar 21 | Aug 8 – Aug 29 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 28 – Mar 21 | Sep 5 – Sep 26 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 7 – Apr 18 | Sep 19 – Oct 10 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 14 – Mar 21 | Apr 25 – May 2 | Apr 18 – May 2 | Aug 15 – Aug 29 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 14 – Mar 21 | — | Apr 18 – May 2 | Aug 22 – Sep 5 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 14 – Mar 21 | — | Apr 18 – May 2 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 14 – Mar 21 | Apr 25 – May 9 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 21 – Apr 18 | Aug 8 – Aug 22 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 21 – Apr 18 | Aug 22 – Sep 5 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 21 – Apr 11 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 28 – Apr 25 | Aug 22 – Sep 5 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 28 – Apr 18 | Sep 5 – Sep 26 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 18 – May 9 | Aug 15 – Aug 29 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 18 – May 2 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 25 – May 16 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 17 – Nov 21 |
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 Westerly State Ap, RI weather station, 13 km away (elevation 82 ft (25 m)).
ZIP codes in Wakefield: 02879 02880
Frost dates near Wakefield
- Charlestown Apr 11 · Oct 31
- Kenyon May 1 · Oct 12
- Shannock May 1 · Oct 12
- Bradford Apr 11 · Oct 31
- Wood River Junction Apr 11 · Oct 31
- Carolina May 1 · Oct 12
- Ashaway Apr 11 · Oct 31
- Westerly Apr 11 · Oct 31
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Wakefield, RI?
The median last spring frost in Wakefield, RI is April 11. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 26, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Wakefield, RI?
The median first fall frost is October 31, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 16.
How long is the growing season in Wakefield, RI?
About 203 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Wakefield, RI?
Wakefield, RI is in USDA hardiness zone 7a.