Frost dates for 02908Providence, RI
The average last spring frost in Providence is April 11 and the average first fall frost is October 30, giving a typical growing season of about 199 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 11
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 30
- Growing season
- 199 days
Safer after Apr 23 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 16 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 162 days
Frost risk by date
NOAA reports frost dates as probabilities. The middle date is the average (a 50% chance). For spring, the 10% date is a safer planting date: frost after it happens in about 1 year in 10. Light frost (36°F) can damage tender plants; a hard freeze (28°F) kills most annuals.
| Temperature | Last spring: 90% / 50% / 10% chance | First fall: 10% / 50% / 90% chance | Growing season (50%) | Years with at least one |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light frost (36°F) | Apr 14 · Apr 26 · May 7 | Oct 5 · Oct 18 · Nov 1 | 175 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 1 · Apr 11 · Apr 23 | Oct 16 · Oct 30 · Nov 12 | 199 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 18 · Apr 1 · Apr 11 | Oct 29 · Nov 9 · Nov 26 | 221 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Providence
Planting windows from the University of Maryland Extension calendar, shifted to your average frost dates. Use them as a starting point and adjust for seed packet instructions and local conditions.
| Crop | Task | Window |
|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Start seeds indoors | Mar 11 – May 17 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 27 – Jul 10 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 11 – Apr 11 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 11 – Jun 11 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 28 – Apr 26 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 11 – Jun 11 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 11 – Jul 20 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 27 – Jun 11 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 11 – Jun 11 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 27 – Aug 12 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 27 – Jul 10 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 11 – Jun 11 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 4 – May 27 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 11 – Apr 26 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 11 – May 11 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 28 – Feb 24 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – Apr 26 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 21 – Mar 27 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – Apr 26 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 30 – Jul 10 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 30 – Aug 10 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 11 – Mar 11 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 11 – Apr 11 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 20 – Jul 20 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 20 – Aug 20 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 11 – May 27 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 20 – Sep 5 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Apr 17 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 6 – Sep 10 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 11 – May 1 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 20 – Sep 20 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – Apr 17 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Aug 20 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 11 – May 27 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 20 – Aug 5 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 20 – Nov 20 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 02908 is matched to the NOAA station Providence T F Green Ap, RI, 13 km away, at 60 ft elevation (68 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Providence T F Green Ap, RI (used) | 60 ft | Apr 11 | Oct 30 |
| Woonsocket, RI | 110 ft | Apr 22 | Oct 19 |
| Coventry 2, RI | 280 ft | Apr 22 | Oct 20 |
| N Foster 1 E, RI | 630 ft | Apr 25 | Oct 19 |
Frost dates near Providence
- Providence, RI 02918 · last Apr 11, first Oct 30
- North Providence, RI 02911 · last Apr 22, first Oct 19
- Pawtucket, RI 02860 · last Apr 22, first Oct 19
- East Providence, RI 02914 · last Apr 11, first Oct 30
- Central Falls, RI 02863 · last Apr 22, first Oct 19
- Rumford, RI 02916 · last Apr 11, first Oct 30
- Cranston, RI 02910 · last Apr 11, first Oct 30
- Johnston, RI 02919 · last Apr 11, first Oct 30
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Providence, RI?
- For ZIP code 02908, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 11, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Providence T F Green Ap, RI weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 23.
- When is the first frost in Providence, RI?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 30. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 16, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 02908?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 199 days long.
- Are these frost dates a forecast?
- No. They are 30-year averages and probabilities from NOAA weather station records. Use them to plan, then watch your local forecast before planting tender crops or leaving them uncovered.