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

Planting zone for 02813 — Charlestown, RI

ZIP code 02813 (Charlestown, Washington County) is in USDA zone 7a: the coldest winter night averages 0 to 5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 11 and the first fall frost October 31.

Where ZIP 02813 is

Outlined: the ZIP code area · 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
Coldest night−17.8 to −15 °C
Last frostApr 11
First frostOct 31
2012 zone6b

Was 6b on the 2012 map — half a zone warmer now. The zone is the one at the center of the ZIP code; hilly ZIPs can span two zones. What zone 7a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Charlestown, 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 Charlestown, RI

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 11median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 26only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 31median — 10% chance by Oct 16
Growing season201 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 29 and returns around November 11.

From the NOAA station Westerly State Airport, RI — 7 miles away, elevation 82 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 02813

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Feb 28 – Mar 14
SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 28 – Mar 21
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 31 – Feb 14
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 21 – Apr 4
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 14 – Mar 28
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 21 – Apr 4
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 14 – Mar 28
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 21 – Apr 4
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 14 – Feb 28
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 18 – May 2
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 31 – Feb 14
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 25 – May 9
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 18 – May 2
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 18 – May 2
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 18 – May 2
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 5 – Sep 19
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 17 – Nov 21
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 11) and first fall frost (Oct 31) 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 02813 came on Apr 6 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Apr 4).

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.

Trees 56

American basswood100 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican beech80 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −44 °FAmerican chestnut115 ft · blooms early summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican elm120 ft · blooms early spring · medium shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican sycamore100 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −34 °Farborvitae50 ft · blooms mid spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °F

Shrubs 95

Allegheny serviceberry35 ft · blooms early spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Falternateleaf dogwood25 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −47 °FAmerican black currant3 ft · blooms early spring · to −46 °FAmerican hazelnut10 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican holly40 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −20 °FAmerican hornbeam30 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −34 °F

Wildflowers & perennials 160

alkali buttercup1 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Falpine sweetvetch2 ft · blooms early summer · high shade tolerance · to −62 °FAmerican bur-reed3 ft · blooms indeterminate · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican eelgrass1 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican licorice4 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican pokeweed7 ft · blooms mid summer · low shade tolerance · to −33 °F

Grasses 132

American beachgrass2.5 ft · blooms spring · high shade tolerance · to −28 °FAtlantic mannagrass3 ft · blooms summer · low shade tolerance · to −8 °Fawlfruit sedge4 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Fbeaked spikerush3 ft · blooms late spring · high shade tolerance · to −28 °FBicknell's sedge3 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Fbig bluestem6 ft · blooms summer · high shade tolerance · to −46 °F

Vines 8

American bittersweet15 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican wisteria50 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −3 °Fdevil's darning needles15 ft · blooms mid summer · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °Friverbank grape45 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °Fsummer grape30 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −23 °Ftrumpet creeper2 ft · blooms summer · high shade tolerance · to −13 °F

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 Charlestown, RI.

Soil in Charlestown, RI

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 02813 is Merrimac — fine sandy loam, somewhat excessively drained.

TextureFine sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH5.1strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageSomewhat excessively drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter4.12%moderate
Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast
Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Merrimac fine sandy 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 02813; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Charlestown, RI

Summer high82 °Faverage high, July
Winter low25 °Faverage low, January
Hot days3days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights109nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days3,008base 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)
Precipitation49.8 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°32 °FJanuary: average high 40 °F, low 25 °F 40°25° JanFebruary: average high 41 °F, low 26 °F 41°26° FebMarch: average high 47 °F, low 32 °F 47°32° MarApril: average high 57 °F, low 41 °F 57°41° AprMay: average high 67 °F, low 50 °F 67°50° MayJune: average high 75 °F, low 59 °F 75°59° JunJuly: average high 82 °F, low 66 °F 82°66° JulAugust: average high 81 °F, low 64 °F 81°64° AugSeptember: average high 74 °F, low 57 °F 74°57° SepOctober: average high 64 °F, low 47 °F 64°47° OctNovember: average high 54 °F, low 38 °F 54°38° NovDecember: average high 45 °F, low 30 °F 45°30° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″6″January: 4.12 in precipitation 4.1 JanFebruary: 3.85 in precipitation 3.9 FebMarch: 5.13 in precipitation 5.1 MarApril: 4.04 in precipitation 4.0 AprMay: 3.62 in precipitation 3.6 MayJune: 3.85 in precipitation 3.9 JunJuly: 3.83 in precipitation 3.8 JulAugust: 4.00 in precipitation 4.0 AugSeptember: 3.89 in precipitation 3.9 SepOctober: 4.63 in precipitation 4.6 OctNovember: 3.97 in precipitation 4.0 NovDecember: 4.86 in precipitation 4.9 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Westerly State Airport, RI (7 mi away); precipitation: Charlestown 3.0 Wsw, RI (2 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

4 of the 8 nearest ZIP codes are in a different zone — elevation and distance from water change winter lows quickly.

028807a
Wakefield, RI · 2 mi
028087a
Bradford, RI · 4 mi
028946b
Wood River Junction, RI · 4 mi
028756b
Shannock, RI · 5 mi
028367a
Kenyon, RI · 5 mi
028126b
Carolina, RI · 6 mi
028046b
Ashaway, RI · 6 mi
028917a
Westerly, RI · 7 mi

Rhode Island planting zones →

Questions about 02813

What planting zone is ZIP code 02813?

ZIP code 02813 (Charlestown, RI) is in USDA hardiness zone 7a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 0 to 5 °F (−17.8 to −15 °C).

When is the last frost in Charlestown, RI?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 02813 is April 11; after April 26 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Westerly State Airport station.

When is the first frost in Charlestown, RI?

The median first fall frost near 02813 is October 31, giving a median frost-free growing season of 201 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 02813?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 14 – Feb 28 and set transplants outside around Apr 18 – May 2, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 02813 get?

About 49.8 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Charlestown 3.0 Wsw station).

How hot do summers get in Charlestown, RI?

The average high peaks at 82 °F in July, with about 3 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 02813 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Merrimac at the center of ZIP 02813: fine sandy loam, somewhat excessively drained, pH about 5.1 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Charlestown, RI in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 02813 came on Apr 6 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Apr 4), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Charlestown, RI?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 02813 is 15 h 10 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 02813 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 02813 in zone 6b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.