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

Planting zone for 02825 — Foster, RI

ZIP code 02825 (Foster, Providence County) is in USDA zone 6b: the coldest winter night averages −5 to 0 °F. The median last spring frost is April 25 and the first fall frost October 19.

Where ZIP 02825 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 25

First frostOct 19

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 Foster, 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 Foster, RI

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 25median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 9only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 19median — 10% chance by Oct 4

Growing season176 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 12 and returns around October 30.

From the NOAA station N Foster 1 E, RI — 5 miles away, elevation 630 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 02825

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 14 – Mar 28

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 14 – Apr 4

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 14 – Feb 28

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 4 – Apr 18

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 28 – Apr 11

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 4 – Apr 18

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 28 – Apr 11

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 4 – Apr 18

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 28 – Mar 14

TomatoesTransplant · May 2 – May 16

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 14 – Feb 28

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 9 – May 23

BeansSow outdoors · May 2 – May 16

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 2 – May 16

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 2 – May 16

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 24 – Sep 7

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 5 – Nov 9

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 25) and first fall frost (Oct 19) 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 02825 came on Apr 3 — 5 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 8).

average
Apr 82026
Apr 3

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 Foster, RI

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 02825 is Ridgebury — moderately decomposed plant material, poorly drained.

TextureModerately decomposed plant materialtop layer

DrainagePoorly drainedconsider raised beds

Organic matter95%high

Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Ridgebury, Leicester, and Whitman soils, 0 to 8 percent slopes, extremely 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 02825; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Foster, RI

Summer high80 °Faverage high, July

Winter low19 °Faverage low, January

Hot days4days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights133nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,556base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 13 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 08 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation53.8 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall62 inper year; 61 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: N Foster 1 E, RI (5 mi away); precipitation: N Foster 1 E, RI (5 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 6b.

028156b

Clayville, RI · 3 mi

028576b

North Scituate, RI · 6 mi

028276b

Greene, RI · 6 mi

062436b

East Killingly, CT · 6 mi

Rhode Island planting zones →

Questions about 02825

What planting zone is ZIP code 02825?

ZIP code 02825 (Foster, 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 Foster, RI?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 02825 is April 25; after May 9 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, N Foster 1 E station.

When is the first frost in Foster, RI?

The median first fall frost near 02825 is October 19, giving a median frost-free growing season of 176 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 02825?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 28 – Mar 14 and set transplants outside around May 2 – May 16, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 02825 get?

About 53.8 inches of precipitation a year and 62 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, N Foster 1 E station).

How hot do summers get in Foster, RI?

The average high peaks at 80 °F in July, with about 4 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 02825 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Ridgebury at the center of ZIP 02825: moderately decomposed plant material, poorly drained.

Did spring come early in Foster, RI in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 02825 came on Apr 3 in 2026, 5 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 8), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Foster, RI?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 02825 is 15 h 13 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 02825 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 02825 in zone 6a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.