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

Planting zone for 02817 — West Greenwich, RI

ZIP code 02817 (West Greenwich, Kent County) is in USDA zone 6b: the coldest winter night averages −5 to 0 °F. The median last spring frost is April 22 and the first fall frost October 20.

Where ZIP 02817 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.

Zone6b−5 to 0 °F
Coldest night−20.6 to −17.8 °C
Last frostApr 22
First frostOct 20
2012 zone6a

Was 6a 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 6b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for West Greenwich, 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 West Greenwich, RI

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 22median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 4only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 20median — 10% chance by Oct 5
Growing season179 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 10 and returns around November 1.

From the NOAA station Coventry 2, RI — 6 miles away, elevation 279 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 02817

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 11 – Mar 25
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 11 – Apr 1
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 11 – Feb 25
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 1 – Apr 15
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 25 – Apr 8
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 1 – Apr 15
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 25 – Apr 8
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 1 – Apr 15
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 25 – Mar 11
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 29 – May 13
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 11 – Feb 25
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 6 – May 20
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 29 – May 13
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 29 – May 13
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 29 – May 13
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 25 – Sep 8
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 6 – Nov 10
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 22) and first fall frost (Oct 20) 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 02817 came on Apr 5 — 3 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 8).

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).

Soil in West Greenwich, RI

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 02817 is Canton — slightly decomposed plant material, well drained.

TextureSlightly decomposed plant materialtop layer
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter95%high
Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Canton and Charlton fine sandy loams, 0 to 8 percent slopes, very stony.

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 02817; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in West Greenwich, RI

Summer high85 °Faverage high, July
Winter low18 °Faverage low, January
Hot days22days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights135nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,940base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 12 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 09 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation50.9 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 36 °F, low 18 °F 36°18° JanFebruary: average high 39 °F, low 20 °F 39°20° FebMarch: average high 47 °F, low 26 °F 47°26° MarApril: average high 61 °F, low 36 °F 61°36° AprMay: average high 71 °F, low 47 °F 71°47° MayJune: average high 80 °F, low 57 °F 80°57° JunJuly: average high 85 °F, low 64 °F 85°64° JulAugust: average high 82 °F, low 62 °F 82°62° AugSeptember: average high 74 °F, low 54 °F 74°54° SepOctober: average high 62 °F, low 42 °F 62°42° OctNovember: average high 52 °F, low 32 °F 52°32° NovDecember: average high 42 °F, low 24 °F 42°24° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″6″January: 4.41 in precipitation 4.4 JanFebruary: 3.36 in precipitation 3.4 FebMarch: 5.08 in precipitation 5.1 MarApril: 4.54 in precipitation 4.5 AprMay: 3.75 in precipitation 3.8 MayJune: 3.80 in precipitation 3.8 JunJuly: 3.46 in precipitation 3.5 JulAugust: 4.16 in precipitation 4.2 AugSeptember: 4.24 in precipitation 4.2 SepOctober: 4.31 in precipitation 4.3 OctNovember: 4.30 in precipitation 4.3 NovDecember: 5.46 in precipitation 5.5 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Coventry 2, RI (6 mi away); precipitation: Richmond 4.6 Nne, RI (5 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

028166b
Coventry, RI · 5 mi
028226b
Exeter, RI · 5 mi
028276b
Greene, RI · 6 mi
028986b
Wyoming, RI · 8 mi
028936b
West Warwick, RI · 8 mi
063736b
Oneco, CT · 9 mi
028316b
Hope, RI · 9 mi
028187a
East Greenwich, RI · 9 mi

Rhode Island planting zones →

Questions about 02817

What planting zone is ZIP code 02817?

ZIP code 02817 (West Greenwich, RI) is in USDA hardiness zone 6b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −5 to 0 °F (−20.6 to −17.8 °C).

When is the last frost in West Greenwich, RI?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 02817 is April 22; after May 4 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Coventry 2 station.

When is the first frost in West Greenwich, RI?

The median first fall frost near 02817 is October 20, giving a median frost-free growing season of 179 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 02817?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 25 – Mar 11 and set transplants outside around Apr 29 – May 13, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 02817 get?

About 50.9 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Richmond 4.6 Nne station).

How hot do summers get in West Greenwich, RI?

The average high peaks at 85 °F in July, with about 22 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 02817 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Canton at the center of ZIP 02817: slightly decomposed plant material, well drained.

Did spring come early in West Greenwich, RI in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 02817 came on Apr 5 in 2026, 3 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 8), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in West Greenwich, RI?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 02817 is 15 h 12 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 02817 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 02817 in zone 6a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.