When is the last frost in Providence, RI?

The average (50% probability) last spring frost in Providence is April 11, based on NOAA 1991–2020 normals. A 1-in-10 risk remains until April 23.

When is the first frost in Providence?

The average first fall frost in Providence is October 30, with a growing season of about 199 days.

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Providence, Rhode Island frost dates

Average last spring frost: April 11. Average first fall frost: October 30. That gives a growing season of about 199 days. For frost-tender plants, a safer planting date is April 23, after which a freeze happens in only 1 year in 10.

Last frost (50%)

Apr 11

1-in-10 risk after Apr 23

First frost (50%)

Oct 30

1-in-10 risk before Oct 16

Growing season

199 days

median frost-free days

Hard freeze (28°F)

Apr 1

median last 28°F in spring

Frost risk by date

Chance of frost	Spring: frost after	Fall: frost before
90%	April 1	November 12
70%	April 7	November 3
50%	April 11	October 30
30%	April 17	October 24
10%	April 23	October 16

Read the spring column like this: there is a 10% chance of a 32°F freeze after April 23. These are NOAA probabilities for the Providence T F Green Airport weather station (USW00014765, elevation 18 m), 1991–2020.

Providence vegetable planting calendar

Dates count from the 50% last-frost date (April 11). For tomatoes, peppers and other frost-tender crops, waiting until the 10% date (Apr 23) is the cautious choice.

Crop	Start seeds indoors	Plant out
Beans	Mar 21	Apr 18 (usually sown directly in the garden)
Broccoli	Jan 31	Mar 14
Brussels sprouts	Jan 31	Mar 14
Cabbage	Jan 24	Mar 7
Cauliflower	Feb 14	Mar 28
Sweet corn	Mar 14	Apr 11 (usually sown directly in the garden)
Cucumbers	Mar 28	Apr 18
Kale	Jan 24	Mar 7
Leeks	Dec 27	Mar 7
Lettuce	Feb 21	Mar 28
Melons	Apr 4	Apr 25
Onions	Dec 20	Feb 28 (from seed; sets and transplants go out at the same time)
Peas	Feb 14	Mar 14 (usually sown directly in the garden)
Peppers	Feb 28	Apr 25
Squash	Apr 4	Apr 25
Tomatoes	Feb 14	Apr 11

Offsets from Oregon State University Extension's seed-starting table. "Plant out" means transplant, or sow directly for crops usually grown from seed.

Fall frost and season extension

The first fall freeze usually arrives around October 30. There's a 1-in-10 chance it comes before October 16. Harvest tender crops such as basil, tomatoes, peppers and squash before then, or cover them on cold nights. Cool-season crops like kale, cabbage and Brussels sprouts handle light frost, and often taste sweeter after it. A hard freeze (28°F) typically comes around November 9.

Nearby cities

City	Last frost (50%)	First frost (50%)	Distance
Worcester, MA	Apr 23	Oct 21	~71 km
Boston, MA	Apr 4	Nov 9	~79 km
Hartford, CT	Apr 21	Oct 16	~106 km
Manchester, NH	Apr 21	Oct 19	~134 km
Albany, NY	Apr 27	Oct 15	~227 km
New York, NY	Apr 2	Nov 14	~227 km

More: all Rhode Island frost dates