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

Planting zone for 02822 — Exeter, RI

ZIP code 02822 (Exeter, Washington County) is in USDA zone 6b: the coldest winter night averages −5 to 0 °F. The median last spring frost is April 27 and the first fall frost October 15.

Where ZIP 02822 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 27

First frostOct 15

2012 zone6b

Same zone as on the 2012 map. 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 Exeter, 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 Exeter, RI

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 27median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 11only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 15median — 10% chance by Oct 2

Growing season171 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 13 and returns around October 29.

From the NOAA station Kingston 1 Nw, RI — 6 miles away, elevation 115 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 02822

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 16 – Mar 30

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 16 – Apr 6

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 16 – Mar 2

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 6 – Apr 20

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 30 – Apr 13

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 6 – Apr 20

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 30 – Apr 13

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 6 – Apr 20

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 2 – Mar 16

TomatoesTransplant · May 4 – May 18

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 16 – Mar 2

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 11 – May 25

BeansSow outdoors · May 4 – May 18

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 4 – May 18

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 4 – May 18

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 20 – Sep 3

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 1 – Nov 5

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 27) and first fall frost (Oct 15) 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 02822 came on Apr 5 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Apr 6).

average
Apr 62026
Apr 5

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 6b in Rhode Island

452 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Rhode Island, and rated by the USDA to survive −5 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 6b. 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 Exeter, RI.

Soil in Exeter, RI

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 02822 is Canton — moderately decomposed plant material, well drained.

TextureModerately decomposed plant materialtop layer

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter70%high

Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately

Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Canton and Charlton fine sandy loams, 0 to 3 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 02822; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Exeter, RI

Summer high80 °Faverage high, July

Winter low20 °Faverage low, January

Hot days3days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights130nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,488base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 12 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 10 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

Precipitation by month inches

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Kingston 1 Nw, RI (6 mi away); precipitation: Richmond 4.6 Nne, RI (3 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

028176b

West Greenwich, RI · 5 mi

028926b

West Kingston, RI · 5 mi

028986b

Wyoming, RI · 6 mi

028527a

North Kingstown, RI · 7 mi

028187a

East Greenwich, RI · 7 mi

028816b

Kingston, RI · 7 mi

028747a

Saunderstown, RI · 7 mi

028126b

Carolina, RI · 8 mi

Rhode Island planting zones →

Questions about 02822

What planting zone is ZIP code 02822?

ZIP code 02822 (Exeter, 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 Exeter, RI?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 02822 is April 27; after May 11 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Kingston 1 Nw station.

When is the first frost in Exeter, RI?

The median first fall frost near 02822 is October 15, giving a median frost-free growing season of 171 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 02822?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 2 – Mar 16 and set transplants outside around May 4 – May 18, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 02822 get?

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

How hot do summers get in Exeter, RI?

The average high peaks at 80 °F in July, with about 3 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 02822 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Canton at the center of ZIP 02822: moderately decomposed plant material, well drained.

Did spring come early in Exeter, RI in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 02822 came on Apr 5 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Apr 6), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Exeter, RI?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 02822 is 15 h 12 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).