Frost dates by state › Rhode Island
Rhode Island frost dates
Average last spring and first fall frost dates for Rhode Island’s largest cities, with each city’s USDA hardiness zone.
Reviewed October 2026
Among Rhode Island’s 8 largest cities, the average last spring frost ranges from Apr 7 in Newport to Apr 22 in Pawtucket. Elevation, distance from the coast and city heat all shift the date, so use your own ZIP code below for the closest match.
| City | Average last spring frost | Average first fall frost | Frost-free days | Hardiness zone | Weather station used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Providence | Apr 11 | Oct 30 | 202 | 6b–7a | Providence T F Green Airport, RI, 7 mi |
| Cranston | Apr 11 | Oct 30 | 202 | 6b–7a | Providence T F Green Airport, RI, 4 mi |
| Warwick | Apr 11 | Oct 30 | 202 | 6b–7a | Providence T F Green Airport, RI |
| Pawtucket | Apr 22 | Oct 19 | 180 | 6b–7a | Woonsocket, RI, 10 mi |
| East Providence | Apr 11 | Oct 30 | 202 | 7a | Providence T F Green Airport, RI, 7 mi |
| Woonsocket | Apr 22 | Oct 19 | 180 | 6b | Woonsocket, RI |
| Newport | Apr 7 | Nov 13 | 220 | 7a | Newport Rose, RI, 2 mi |
| Central Falls | Apr 22 | Oct 19 | 180 | 6b–7a | Woonsocket, RI, 8 mi |
Frost dates are the dates after (spring) or before (fall) which the chance of a 32°F freeze is below 50%, from NOAA’s 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals for the weather station nearest each city’s center. Zones are from the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map for the ZIP codes around each city; a range means nearby ZIP codes differ. Cities are the 8 largest by Census Bureau 2024 population estimates.
An average is not a guarantee. There’s still about a 1 in 2 chance of frost after the average last spring date. Many gardeners wait an extra week or two before setting out tomatoes, peppers and basil, and keep covers handy.
Planting dates for Providence
Timed from Providence’s average last frost of Apr 11, using University of New Hampshire Extension’s planting guidance. For your exact dates, enter your ZIP code in the calendar below.
| Crop | Start seeds indoors | Plant outside |
|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Feb 21 to Mar 7 | Apr 18 to Apr 25 |
| Peppers | Feb 14 to Feb 28 | Apr 25 |
| Lettuce | Feb 7 to Feb 14 | Mar 14 to Mar 21 |
| Broccoli | Jan 31 to Feb 14 | Mar 14 to Mar 28 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 21 to Mar 28 | Apr 18 to Apr 25 |
| Basil | Feb 28 to Mar 14 | Apr 25 |
When to plant, for your garden
Your seed-starting and planting dates, timed from your last spring frost. Full calendar, 12 crops.
Enter your ZIP code to look up your average last frost date and hardiness zone, or type the date in yourself.
Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020. Hardiness zones: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, 2023, ZIP code data from PRISM Group, Oregon State University, prism.oregonstate.edu, accessed Oct. 20, 2026.
More about frost dates
How to find your last frost date, and what your zone means · Full planting calendar · How to start seeds indoors
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