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

Planting zone for 02837 — Little Compton, RI

ZIP code 02837 (Little Compton, Newport 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 November 4.

Where ZIP 02837 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 frostNov 4
2012 zone7a

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 7a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Little Compton, 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 Little Compton, 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 24only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostNovember 4median — 10% chance by Oct 22
Growing season206 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 31 and returns around November 16.

From the NOAA station Newport State Airport, RI — 6 miles away, elevation 171 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 02837

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 9 – Sep 23
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 21 – Nov 25
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 11) and first fall frost (Nov 4) 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 02837 came on Apr 6 — 5 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 1).

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 Little Compton, RI

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 02837 is Stissing — very stony silt loam, poorly drained.

TextureVery stony silt loama good balance for most vegetables
pH4.8strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainagePoorly drainedconsider raised beds
Organic matter3.5%moderate
Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly
Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Stissing silt loam.

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 02837; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Little Compton, RI

Summer high80 °Faverage high, July
Winter low24 °Faverage low, January
Hot days2days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights98nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,740base 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)
Precipitation50 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 38 °F, low 24 °F 38°24° JanFebruary: average high 40 °F, low 25 °F 40°25° FebMarch: average high 46 °F, low 31 °F 46°31° MarApril: average high 56 °F, low 39 °F 56°39° AprMay: average high 65 °F, low 49 °F 65°49° MayJune: average high 74 °F, low 58 °F 74°58° JunJuly: average high 80 °F, low 64 °F 80°64° JulAugust: average high 79 °F, low 64 °F 79°64° AugSeptember: average high 72 °F, low 57 °F 72°57° SepOctober: average high 62 °F, low 47 °F 62°47° OctNovember: average high 53 °F, low 38 °F 53°38° NovDecember: average high 44 °F, low 30 °F 44°30° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″6″January: 4.21 in precipitation 4.2 JanFebruary: 3.75 in precipitation 3.8 FebMarch: 5.28 in precipitation 5.3 MarApril: 4.28 in precipitation 4.3 AprMay: 3.41 in precipitation 3.4 MayJune: 3.72 in precipitation 3.7 JunJuly: 3.11 in precipitation 3.1 JulAugust: 3.94 in precipitation 3.9 AugSeptember: 4.04 in precipitation 4.0 SepOctober: 4.77 in precipitation 4.8 OctNovember: 4.42 in precipitation 4.4 NovDecember: 5.10 in precipitation 5.1 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Newport State Airport, RI (6 mi away); precipitation: Little Compton 0.6 E, RI (within 1 mile). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 7a.

027917a
Westport Point, MA · 4 mi
028427a
Middletown, RI · 5 mi
028017a
Adamsville, RI · 6 mi
028787a
Tiverton, RI · 6 mi
028717a
Portsmouth, RI · 7 mi
027907a
Westport, MA · 7 mi
028407a
Newport, RI · 8 mi
028417a
Newport, RI · 8 mi

Rhode Island planting zones →

Questions about 02837

What planting zone is ZIP code 02837?

ZIP code 02837 (Little Compton, 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 Little Compton, RI?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 02837 is April 11; after April 24 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Newport State Airport station.

When is the first frost in Little Compton, RI?

The median first fall frost near 02837 is November 4, giving a median frost-free growing season of 206 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 02837?

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 02837 get?

About 50 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Little Compton 0.6 E station).

How hot do summers get in Little Compton, RI?

The average high peaks at 80 °F in July, with about 2 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 02837 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Stissing at the center of ZIP 02837: very stony silt loam, poorly drained, pH about 4.8 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Little Compton, RI in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 02837 came on Apr 6 in 2026, 5 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 1), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Little Compton, RI?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 02837 is 15 h 11 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).