Data: 2023 USDA zones (PRISM/OSU) · NOAA 1991–2020 normals · updated Oct 29, 2026

Planting zone for Wakefield, RI

Wakefield, RI is in USDA zone 7a across its 2 ZIP codes. The median last spring frost is May 1 and the first fall frost October 12.

Wakefield on the zone map

Outlined: its 1 ZIP code areas · tap the map for the zone at any spot · scroll or pinch to zoom

Not the official USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Zones come from the 2023 USDA hardiness-zone data by the PRISM Group, Oregon State University; we re-mapped and recolored them. The official map is at planthardiness.ars.usda.gov.

Zone7a0 to 5 °F

ZIP codes2

Last frostMay 1

First frostOct 12

Growing season163 days

7a 2 ZIPs

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Wakefield, RI…

Forecast data: National Weather Service (api.weather.gov), public domain. This is not a warning service — for official frost and freeze warnings see weather.gov.

Frost dates in Wakefield, RI

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free

Last spring frostMay 1median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 18only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 12median — 10% chance by Oct 1

Growing season163 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 18 and returns around October 25.

From the NOAA station Kingston 1 W, RI, elevation 105 ft. NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, 32 °F threshold. Low spots and valleys can freeze later in spring than the station.

When to plant vegetables in Wakefield

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 20 – Apr 3

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 20 – Apr 10

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 20 – Mar 6

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 10 – Apr 24

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 3 – Apr 17

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 10 – Apr 24

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 3 – Apr 17

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 10 – Apr 24

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 6 – Mar 20

TomatoesTransplant · May 8 – May 22

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 20 – Mar 6

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 15 – May 29

BeansSow outdoors · May 8 – May 22

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 8 – May 22

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 8 – May 22

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 17 – Aug 31

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 28 – Nov 2

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 1) and first fall frost (Oct 12) with the rules of thumb U.S. extension services publish. Cool-season crops take a light frost; warm-season crops do best once the soil is above about 60 °F.

When spring arrived in 2026

In 2026, spring leaf-out near 02879 came on Apr 6 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Apr 4).

average
Apr 42026
Apr 6

JanFebMarAprMayJun

The Spring Index marks the day when accumulated warmth is enough for lilac and honeysuckle to leaf out — a widely used signal that the growing season has started. Source: USA National Phenology Network, www.usanpn.org — Spring Indices, first leaf, 2026 (data as of 2026-09-08) and 30-year average 1991–2020 (CC BY 4.0).

Native plants for zone 7a in Rhode Island

465 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Rhode Island, and rated by the USDA to survive 0 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 7a. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

Source: USDA, NRCS. 2026. The PLANTS Database (plants.usda.gov), National Plant Data Team — state distribution, native status and the “Temperature, Minimum” characteristic. Check light, moisture and soil needs before buying; local nurseries and your state native plant society can confirm what thrives in Wakefield, RI.

Soil in Wakefield, RI

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 02879 is Enfield — slightly decomposed plant material, well drained.

TextureSlightly decomposed plant materialtop layer

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter70%high

Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately

Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Enfield silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes.

Soil Survey Staff, Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA. Soil Survey Geographic (SSURGO) Database, via Soil Data Access, accessed 2026-10-29. The soil at the center point of ZIP 02879; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Wakefield, RI

Summer high80 °Faverage high, July

Winter low19 °Faverage low, January

Hot days4days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights135nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,419base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 10 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 11 mindaylight on December 21

Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)

Precipitation51.6 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Kingston 1 W, RI (4 mi away); precipitation: Kingston 1 W, RI (4 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

ZIP codes in Wakefield

Rhode Island planting zones →

Questions about Wakefield

What planting zone is Wakefield, RI?

Wakefield, RI is in USDA hardiness zone 7a on the 2023 map (7a: 0 to 5 °F).

When is the last frost in Wakefield, RI?

The median last spring frost is May 1 and the median first fall frost is October 12 (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Kingston 1 W station).

When can I plant a garden in Wakefield, RI?

Cool-season crops like peas and spinach go in around Mar 20 – Apr 10; tomatoes, peppers, beans and squash after about May 8, once frost risk has passed.

What kind of onions grow in Wakefield, RI?

Long-day onions: the longest day is 15 h 10 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

How much rain and snow does Wakefield, RI get?

About 51.6 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals).