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

Planting zone for 02842 — Middletown, RI

ZIP code 02842 (Middletown, 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 02842 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 Middletown, 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 Middletown, 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 — within 1 mile, 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 02842

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 02842 came on Apr 6 — 4 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 2).

average
Apr 22026
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).

Native plants for zone 7a in Rhode Island

465 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Rhode Island, and rated by the USDA to survive 0 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 7a. 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 Middletown, RI.

Soil in Middletown, RI

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 02842 is Newport — silt loam, well drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables

pH5.3strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter4%moderate

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Newport silt loam, 3 to 8 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 02842; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Middletown, 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)

Precipitation42.2 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: Newport State Airport, RI (within 1 mile); precipitation: Newport State Airport, RI (within 1 mile). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 7a.

028017a

Adamsville, RI · 1 mi

Portsmouth, RI · 5 mi

028357a

Jamestown, RI · 5 mi

028377a

Little Compton, RI · 5 mi

028727a

Prudence Island, RI · 6 mi

028787a

Tiverton, RI · 8 mi

Rhode Island planting zones →

Questions about 02842

What planting zone is ZIP code 02842?

ZIP code 02842 (Middletown, 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 Middletown, RI?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 02842 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 Middletown, RI?

The median first fall frost near 02842 is November 4, giving a median frost-free growing season of 206 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 02842?

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 02842 get?

About 42.2 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Newport State Airport station).

How hot do summers get in Middletown, 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 02842 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Newport at the center of ZIP 02842: silt loam, well drained, pH about 5.3 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Middletown, RI in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 02842 came on Apr 6 in 2026, 4 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 2), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Middletown, RI?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 02842 is 15 h 11 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).