When to plant in Pawtucket, RI
USDA Zone 7aEverything below — frost dates, hardiness zone, and what to plant when in Pawtucket, Rhode Island — is derived from the closest NOAA station with complete climate normals.
Pawtucket's nearest full-normals station sits about 16 km out, so treat these as a close estimate — local microclimate can nudge your first and last frost. Zone 7a means many perennials and even some tender shrubs overwinter in Pawtucket, while your frost dates still decide when annuals go out.
Frost probability
WOONSOCKET · 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 Pawtucket’s own odds, recorded at WOONSOCKET.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | May 19 | May 5 | Apr 23 | Sep 26 | Oct 7 | Oct 23 |
| 32°F | May 6 | Apr 22 | Apr 9 | Oct 5 | Oct 19 | Nov 2 |
| 28°F | Apr 20 | Apr 7 | Mar 28 | Oct 16 | Oct 31 | Nov 14 |
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 Pawtucket, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 21 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.
Pawtucket planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Pawtucket, RI?
Pawtucket's average last spring frost falls near April 22 — the 50% mark at 32°F in the 1991–2020 normals. Hold tender transplants until the risk has passed, then plant out.
When is the first fall frost in Pawtucket, RI?
Expect Pawtucket's first fall frost near October 19 — a 50% chance of 32°F by that date. Bring in or cover tender crops ahead of it.
What hardiness zone is Pawtucket in?
Pawtucket 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 Pawtucket?
There are roughly 180 frost-free days in Pawtucket (a moderate growing season), running from the average last frost around April 22 to the first fall frost near October 19.
When should I plant tomatoes in Pawtucket?
In Pawtucket, start tomato seeds indoors around February 25–March 11, then transplant seedlings outdoors around April 29 once the danger of frost has passed.
Never miss a window in Pawtucket
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Pawtucket’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- Central Falls · 2 km
- Valley Falls · 6 km
- Providence · 7 km
- East Providence · 8 km
- Attleboro · 9 km
- North Attleborough Town · 11 km
- Cranston · 15 km
- Woonsocket · 18 km
Frost dates recorded at WOONSOCKET, 16 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 Pawtucket, RI — Frost Dates & Zone 7a." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USC00379423. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/rhode-island/pawtucket.