When to plant in Providence, RI
USDA Zone 7aProvidence, Rhode Island frost dates, USDA zone, and a full-year planting calendar, drawn from the nearest NOAA station and tuned to the local season.
In zone 7a, Providence supports a wide range of perennials year-round; the frost dates above are what set your annual vegetable timing.
The average first fall frost in Providence 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 Providence’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 Providence, 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.
Providence planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Providence, RI?
On average, the last spring frost in Providence 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 Providence, RI?
In Providence, the first 32°F freeze of fall lands around October 30 on average. Time your last harvests and any season-extension cover before it.
What hardiness zone is Providence in?
Providence 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 Providence?
Providence has about 202 frost-free days — a moderate growing season — between the average last spring frost (April 11) and first fall frost (October 30).
When should I plant tomatoes in Providence?
For Providence, sow tomatoes indoors about February 14–February 28 and move the seedlings out around April 18, after the last spring frost.
Never miss a window in Providence
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Providence’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- East Providence · 6 km
- Pawtucket · 7 km
- Central Falls · 8 km
- Cranston · 8 km
- Valley Falls · 11 km
- Warwick · 13 km
- Attleboro · 16 km
- North Attleborough Town · 18 km
Frost dates recorded at PROVIDENCE T F GREEN AP, 11 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 Providence, RI — Frost Dates & Zone 7a." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USW00014765. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/rhode-island/providence.