When to plant in Cranston, RI
USDA Zone 7aHere are the average frost dates, USDA hardiness zone, and a month-by-month planting calendar for Cranston, Rhode Island — all computed from Cranston's nearest NOAA weather station.
Zone 7a means many perennials and even some tender shrubs overwinter in Cranston, while your frost dates still decide when annuals go out.
The average first fall frost in Cranston is now 5 days later than in the 1981–2010 normals. See how frost dates are shifting nationwide →
Frost probability
PROVIDENCE T F GREEN AP · 1991–2020The date the last spring and first fall frost occur, by threshold and probability. A 90% date is later in spring — and earlier in fall — than a 10% date; the 50% · 32°F row is what most gardeners plan around. These are Cranston’s own odds, recorded at PROVIDENCE T F GREEN AP.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | May 7 | Apr 26 | Apr 14 | Oct 5 | Oct 18 | Nov 1 |
| 32°F | Apr 23 | Apr 11 | Apr 1 | Oct 16 | Oct 30 | Nov 12 |
| 28°F | Apr 11 | Apr 1 | Mar 18 | Oct 29 | Nov 9 | Nov 26 |
Download this table as CSV ↓ — every threshold and probability, plus this city’s planting-window dates.
What to plant now
TODAY · JULY 19Full-year planting calendar
Each bar is the exact window to take a planting action in Cranston, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 23 km · complete 32°F normalsWhen stations disagree by more than a few days, that spread is real microclimate variation — elevation, water, urban heat. Judge which station best matches your own yard.
Cranston planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Cranston, RI?
On average, the last spring frost in Cranston is around April 11 (50% probability at 32°F, from 1991–2020 NOAA normals). Wait until after this date to set out tender plants like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first fall frost in Cranston, RI?
Expect Cranston's first fall frost near October 30 — a 50% chance of 32°F by that date. Bring in or cover tender crops ahead of it.
What hardiness zone is Cranston in?
Cranston is in USDA hardiness zone 7a. In zone 7a, winters are moderate — most common vegetables grow well in season.
How long is the growing season in Cranston?
There are roughly 202 frost-free days in Cranston (a moderate growing season), running from the average last frost around April 11 to the first fall frost near October 30.
When should I plant tomatoes in Cranston?
In Cranston, start tomato seeds indoors around February 14–February 28, then transplant seedlings outdoors around April 18 once the danger of frost has passed.
Never miss a window in Cranston
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Cranston’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- Providence · 8 km
- Warwick · 9 km
- East Providence · 11 km
- Pawtucket · 15 km
- Central Falls · 15 km
- Valley Falls · 19 km
- Attleboro · 24 km
- North Attleborough Town · 26 km
Frost dates recorded at PROVIDENCE T F GREEN AP, 7 km from the city center · 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals · zone from the USDA/PRISM 2023 map. How we compute this.
BlissGarden. "When to Plant in Cranston, RI — Frost Dates & Zone 7a." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USW00014765. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/rhode-island/cranston.