In Providence, RI, the average last spring frost is Apr 11 and the average first fall frost is Oct 30, which leaves about 199 frost-free days for the garden. These dates come from NOAA climate normals for the Providence T F Green Airport, RI weather station, at 60 feet above sea level.
A long season lets you do more than one planting: a spring crop, a second planting of quick crops in summer, and a fall garden. Succession planting works well here. Frost timing varies from year to year: in about 1 spring in 10 the last frost falls as late as Apr 23, and in about 1 fall in 10 the first frost arrives as early as Oct 16.
Frost dates for Providence, RI
| Chance of a freeze (32°F) after or before this date | Last spring frost | First fall frost | Freeze-free season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Optimistic (about 1 year in 10) | Apr 1 | Nov 12 | 225 days |
| Average (half of years) | Apr 11 | Oct 30 | 199 days |
| Cautious (9 years in 10 are safe) | Apr 23 | Oct 16 | 176 days |
Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals, 1991 to 2020. Use the cautious dates for tender crops such as tomatoes and peppers.
When to plant in Providence, RI
These windows count weeks forward and back from the average frost dates above. They are planning guides: check the forecast before planting tender crops, and see our what to plant now tool for today's date.
| Crop | Start seeds indoors | Plant outdoors in spring | Plant in fall |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Feb 14 to Feb 28 | Apr 18 to Apr 25 | – |
| Peppers | Jan 31 to Feb 14 | Apr 25 to May 2 | – |
| Eggplant | Jan 31 to Feb 14 | Apr 25 to May 2 | – |
| Onions | Jan 31 to Feb 14 | Mar 14 to Mar 28 | – |
| Parsley | Jan 31 to Feb 14 | Apr 11 to Apr 18 | – |
| Broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower | Feb 14 to Feb 28 | Mar 28 to Apr 4 | Aug 7 to Sep 4 |
| Basil | Feb 28 to Feb 28 | Apr 18 to Apr 25 | – |
| Peas | Sow outdoors | Feb 28 to Mar 14 | Aug 7 to Sep 4 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors | Feb 28 to Mar 14 | Sep 4 to Oct 2 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors | Feb 28 to Mar 14 | Sep 4 to Oct 2 |
| Lettuce | Sow outdoors | Mar 14 to Mar 28 | Sep 4 to Oct 2 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors | Mar 14 to Mar 28 | Aug 7 to Sep 4 |
| Beets | Sow outdoors | Mar 14 to Mar 28 | Aug 7 to Sep 4 |
| Potatoes | Sow outdoors | Mar 14 to Mar 28 | – |
| Kale | Sow outdoors | Mar 14 to Mar 28 | Aug 7 to Sep 4 |
| Swiss chard | Sow outdoors | Mar 28 to Apr 11 | – |
| Cilantro | Sow outdoors | Mar 28 to Apr 11 | Sep 4 to Oct 2 |
| Dill | Sow outdoors | Apr 11 to Apr 18 | – |
| Bush beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 18 to Apr 25 | Jul 27 to Aug 10 |
| Pole beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 18 to Apr 25 | – |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 18 to Apr 25 | – |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 18 to Apr 25 | Jul 17 to Jul 31 |
| Zucchini and summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 18 to Apr 25 | Jul 27 to Aug 10 |
| Winter squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 18 to Apr 25 | – |
| Sweet potatoes (slips) | Sow outdoors | Apr 25 to May 9 | – |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 25 to May 9 | – |
A dash in the fall column means the crop is not usually planted in fall, or the season is too short.
Overnight lows this week
The National Weather Service forecast shows frost risk on: Sun 15 night (34°F), Sun 15 night (31°F), Mon 16 night (32°F). Cover tender plants before dark on those nights.
| Night | Forecast low | Frost risk |
|---|---|---|
| Sun 15 night | 34°F | Frost possible |
| Sun 15 night | 31°F | Freeze |
| Mon 16 night | 32°F | Freeze |
| Tue 17 night | 37°F | No frost expected |
| Wed 18 night | 38°F | No frost expected |
| Thu 19 night | 41°F | No frost expected |
| Fri 20 night | 40°F | No frost expected |
Live forecast for the station location, from the National Weather Service. For your own ZIP code, use our garden weather forecast.
More garden tools for Providence, RI
- Frost dates by ZIP code for your exact location
- What to plant now, based on today's date
- Garden weather forecast by ZIP code
- Safe transplant date calculator
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Providence, RI?
The average last spring frost is Apr 11. A late frost as far out as Apr 23 happens in about 1 year in 10, so tender plants such as tomatoes and peppers are safest after that cautious date.
When is the first frost in Providence, RI?
The average first fall frost is Oct 30. It can arrive as early as Oct 16 in about 1 year in 10, so plan to harvest tender crops before then.
How long is the growing season in Providence, RI?
The average freeze-free season is about 199 days, between the average last spring frost and the average first fall frost.
Where do these dates come from?
They come from the NOAA 1991 to 2020 U.S. Climate Normals for the Providence T F Green Airport, RI station. Hills, valleys, lakes and city heat can shift frost by a week or more, so compare with neighbors who garden near you.