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

Planting zone for 02836 — Kenyon, RI

ZIP code 02836 (Kenyon, Washington County) is in USDA zone 7a: the coldest winter night averages 0 to 5 °F. The median last spring frost is May 1 and the first fall frost October 12.

Where ZIP 02836 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 frostMay 1
First frostOct 12
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 Kenyon, 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 Kenyon, 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 — 4 miles away, 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 02836

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 02836 came on Apr 5 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (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).

Soil in Kenyon, RI

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 02836 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, 8 to 15 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 02836; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Kenyon, 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 11 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)
Precipitation51.6 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 37 °F, low 19 °F 37°19° JanFebruary: average high 39 °F, low 21 °F 39°21° FebMarch: average high 46 °F, low 27 °F 46°27° MarApril: average high 56 °F, low 36 °F 56°36° AprMay: average high 66 °F, low 45 °F 66°45° MayJune: average high 75 °F, low 54 °F 75°54° JunJuly: average high 80 °F, low 60 °F 80°60° JulAugust: average high 79 °F, low 59 °F 79°59° AugSeptember: average high 73 °F, low 52 °F 73°52° SepOctober: average high 62 °F, low 41 °F 62°41° OctNovember: average high 52 °F, low 32 °F 52°32° NovDecember: average high 43 °F, low 25 °F 43°25° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″6″January: 4.17 in precipitation 4.2 JanFebruary: 3.85 in precipitation 3.9 FebMarch: 5.69 in precipitation 5.7 MarApril: 4.50 in precipitation 4.5 AprMay: 3.58 in precipitation 3.6 MayJune: 3.99 in precipitation 4.0 JunJuly: 3.31 in precipitation 3.3 JulAugust: 4.08 in precipitation 4.1 AugSeptember: 4.30 in precipitation 4.3 SepOctober: 4.49 in precipitation 4.5 OctNovember: 4.38 in precipitation 4.4 NovDecember: 5.23 in precipitation 5.2 Dec

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.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

028756b
Shannock, RI · <1 mi
028126b
Carolina, RI · 3 mi
028926b
West Kingston, RI · 3 mi
028946b
Wood River Junction, RI · 4 mi
028797a
Wakefield, RI · 5 mi
028137a
Charlestown, RI · 5 mi
028986b
Wyoming, RI · 5 mi
028816b
Kingston, RI · 5 mi

Rhode Island planting zones →

Questions about 02836

What planting zone is ZIP code 02836?

ZIP code 02836 (Kenyon, 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 Kenyon, RI?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 02836 is May 1; after May 18 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Kingston 1 W station.

When is the first frost in Kenyon, RI?

The median first fall frost near 02836 is October 12, giving a median frost-free growing season of 163 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 02836?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 6 – Mar 20 and set transplants outside around May 8 – May 22, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 02836 get?

About 51.6 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Kingston 1 W station).

How hot do summers get in Kenyon, 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 02836 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Canton at the center of ZIP 02836: slightly decomposed plant material, well drained.

Did spring come early in Kenyon, RI in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 02836 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 Kenyon, RI?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 02836 is 15 h 11 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 02836 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 02836 in zone 6b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.