When Is the Last Frost in Rhode Island?
The average last spring frost in Rhode Island falls between April 11 and May 1 for most ZIP codes, with a statewide median of April 22. At the average date a later frost is still a coin flip, so tender plants wait for the safer 90% date.
| City | Last frost | 90% safe after | First frost | Growing season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Providence | Apr 11 | Apr 23 | Oct 30 | 199 days |
| Cranston | Apr 11 | Apr 23 | Oct 30 | 199 days |
| Warwick | Apr 11 | Apr 23 | Oct 30 | 199 days |
| Pawtucket | Apr 22 | May 6 | Oct 19 | 179 days |
| East Providence | Apr 11 | Apr 23 | Oct 30 | 199 days |
| Woonsocket | Apr 22 | May 6 | Oct 19 | 179 days |
| Newport | Apr 7 | Apr 21 | Nov 13 | 216 days |
| Central Falls | Apr 22 | May 6 | Oct 19 | 179 days |
Last and first frost: 50% (median) dates of the last spring and first fall 32 °F night. 90% safe after: only a 10% chance of a later spring frost. First frost dates in January fall in the following winter. Each city uses the NOAA station nearest the ZIP code closest to its center.
Across all 11 Rhode Island weather stations with frost records, median last frost dates run from April 7 at Newport Rose, RI to May 3 at Kingston, RI. Elevation, valleys that collect cold air and distance from large water bodies explain most of the spread, so a garden a few miles from a listed city can differ by a week or more. The ZIP code lookup above uses the same NOAA data as the frost date calculator for every US ZIP code.
When Is the First Frost in Rhode Island?
The average first fall frost in Rhode Island arrives between October 12 and November 2 for most ZIP codes, with a median of October 20. Tomatoes, peppers, basil and squash are damaged at 32 °F, so harvest or cover them before then.
Fall frost can come early: Providence has a 10% chance of frost before October 16, Cranston has a 10% chance of frost before October 16 and Warwick has a 10% chance of frost before October 16. Hardy crops such as kale, spinach and cabbage tolerate light frosts and keep producing after the first frost date.
When to Plant Tomatoes in Rhode Island?
Transplant tomatoes in Rhode Island 1 to 2 weeks after the local average last frost, once nights stay above about 50 °F: Apr 18 – Apr 25 in Providence, Apr 18 – Apr 25 in Cranston and Apr 18 – Apr 25 in Warwick. Start seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before the last frost.
| City | Start seeds indoors | Transplant outdoors | Lowest-risk transplant |
|---|---|---|---|
| Providence | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | Apr 18 – Apr 25 | after Apr 23 |
| Cranston | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | Apr 18 – Apr 25 | after Apr 23 |
| Warwick | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | Apr 18 – Apr 25 | after Apr 23 |
| Pawtucket | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Apr 29 – May 6 | after May 6 |
| East Providence | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | Apr 18 – Apr 25 | after Apr 23 |
| Woonsocket | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Apr 29 – May 6 | after May 6 |
| Newport | Feb 10 – Feb 24 | Apr 14 – Apr 21 | after Apr 21 |
| Central Falls | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Apr 29 – May 6 | after May 6 |
Indoors: 6–8 weeks before the average last frost. Outdoors: 1–2 weeks after it. Lowest-risk: after the date with only a 10% chance of a later frost. Rules of thumb; check the 10-day forecast and wait for soil near 60 °F.
Tomatoes stall below about 50 °F at night and are killed by frost, so a week or two of waiting after the average date costs little. The tomato plant care guide covers light, watering and feeding once plants are in the ground.
What Can You Plant in Providence and When?
Providence's average last frost of April 11 anchors its spring planting calendar: peas and spinach go in from February 28, broccoli and lettuce transplants from March 14, and tomatoes, peppers and squash after April 18.
| Crop | Start seeds indoors | Plant outdoors | Frost tolerance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Peas | — | Feb 28 – Mar 14direct sow, 4–6 weeks before last frost | hardy |
| Spinach | — | Feb 28 – Mar 21direct sow, 3–6 weeks before last frost | hardy |
| Radishes | — | Mar 7 – Mar 21direct sow, 3–5 weeks before last frost | hardy |
| Onions (sets) | — | Mar 14 – Mar 28plant, 2–4 weeks before last frost | hardy |
| Potatoes | — | Mar 14 – Mar 28plant, 2–4 weeks before last frost | half-hardy |
| Broccoli & cabbage | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | Mar 14 – Mar 28transplant, 2–4 weeks before last frost | hardy |
| Lettuce | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | Mar 14 – Mar 28transplant, 2–4 weeks before last frost | hardy |
| Beets | — | Mar 14 – Mar 28direct sow, 2–4 weeks before last frost | half-hardy |
| Carrots | — | Mar 21 – Mar 28direct sow, 2–3 weeks before last frost | half-hardy |
| Tomatoes | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | Apr 18 – Apr 25transplant, 1–2 weeks after last frost | tender |
| Basil | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | Apr 18 – May 2transplant, 1–3 weeks after last frost | tender |
| Peppers | Jan 31 – Feb 14 | Apr 25 – May 2transplant, 2–3 weeks after last frost | tender |
| Eggplant | Jan 31 – Feb 14 | Apr 25 – May 2transplant, 2–3 weeks after last frost | tender |
| Green beans | — | Apr 18 – May 2direct sow, 1–3 weeks after last frost | tender |
| Sweet corn | — | Apr 18 – May 2direct sow, 1–3 weeks after last frost | tender |
| Cucumbers | Mar 14 – Mar 21 | Apr 18 – May 2transplant, 1–3 weeks after last frost | tender |
| Squash & zucchini | Mar 14 – Mar 21 | Apr 18 – May 2transplant, 1–3 weeks after last frost | tender |
| Watermelon | Mar 14 – Mar 21 | Apr 25 – May 2transplant, 2–3 weeks after last frost | tender |
Dates for Providence (last frost Apr 11, NOAA station Providence T F Green AP, RI, 7 miles from ZIP 02903). General rules of thumb; wait for soil near 50 °F for most seeds and 60 °F for beans, corn and squash.
How Long Is the Growing Season in Rhode Island?
The frost-free growing season in Rhode Island lasts about 163 to 203 days for most ZIP codes, with a median of 179 days. Among the listed cities, Pawtucket has the shortest season at 179 days and Newport the longest at 216.
Season length decides which varieties ripen: compare it with the “days to maturity” on seed packets, counted from transplanting for tomatoes and peppers. NOAA stations in Rhode Island range from 159 days at Kingston, RI to 216 days at Newport Rose, RI. Planning beds before the season starts helps in short seasons — a plant spacing calculator for vegetable beds shows how many transplants fit.
What Hardiness Zones Are in Rhode Island?
Rhode Island spans USDA hardiness zones 6b to 7b, with zone 7a the most common. Zones describe winter cold and decide which perennials survive, while frost dates set when to plant annual vegetables and flowers.
The Rhode Island planting zone map with the zone of each city shows how the zones are spread across the state and which plants are hardy in all of them.
Frequently Asked Questions
- When is the last frost in Rhode Island?
- The average last spring frost in Rhode Island falls between April 11 and May 1 for most ZIP codes, with a statewide median of April 22. Among major cities it ranges from April 7 in Newport to April 22 in Central Falls.
- When is the last frost in Providence, Rhode Island?
- Providence's average last spring frost is April 11, and by April 23 the chance of a later frost drops to 10%. Its first fall frost averages October 30, giving a 199-day growing season (NOAA station Providence T F Green AP, RI).
- When should you plant tomatoes in Rhode Island?
- Transplant tomatoes in Rhode Island 1 to 2 weeks after the local average last frost, once nights stay above about 50 °F: Apr 18 – Apr 25 in Providence, Apr 18 – Apr 25 in Cranston and Apr 18 – Apr 25 in Warwick. Start seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before the last frost.
- When is the first frost in Rhode Island?
- The average first fall frost in Rhode Island arrives between October 12 and November 2 for most ZIP codes, with a median of October 20. Harvest tender crops such as tomatoes, peppers and basil before then or cover them on cold nights.
- How long is the growing season in Rhode Island?
- The frost-free growing season in Rhode Island lasts about 163 to 203 days for most ZIP codes, with a median of 179 days, from 179 days in Pawtucket to 216 days in Newport.
Frost data: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals (32 °F freeze dates by probability). ZIP code and city locations and populations: U.S. Census Bureau Gazetteer files and Vintage 2024 population estimates. Planting windows are general rules of thumb. PlantoScan is not affiliated with or endorsed by these agencies.