When to plant in Rhode Island
Most of Rhode Island sees its last spring frost between Apr 11 and May 1, and its first fall frost between Oct 12 and Nov 2. The middle of the state is around April 22 and October 20: that's what the dates below use.
Planting dates for common crops
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant outside | Harvest | Plant for fall |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Mar 18 | May 6 – May 20 | Jul 15 – Oct 7 | — |
| Pepper | Mar 4 | May 6 – May 20 | Jul 20 – Oct 12 | — |
| Cucumber | — | May 6 – May 20 | Jun 30 – Aug 18 | — |
| Zucchini / Summer squash | — | May 6 – May 20 | Jun 25 – Sep 3 | — |
| Winter squash | — | May 6 – May 20 | Aug 9 – Sep 13 | — |
| Green beans (bush) | — | May 4 – May 18 | Jun 28 – Aug 9 | — |
| Peas | — | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | May 10 – Jun 14 | Jul 31 – Aug 14 |
| Sweet corn | — | May 4 – May 18 | Jul 18 – Aug 15 | — |
| Lettuce | — | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | May 9 – Jun 20 | Aug 22 – Sep 5 |
| Spinach | — | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | Apr 20 – Jun 1 | Sep 10 – Sep 24 |
| Kale | Feb 11 | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | May 19 – Aug 11 | Sep 9 – Sep 23 |
| Broccoli | Feb 18 | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | May 31 – Jul 5 | Aug 14 – Aug 28 |
| Cabbage | Feb 11 | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | Jun 3 – Jul 8 | Aug 11 – Aug 25 |
| Carrot | — | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | Jun 10 – Jul 22 | Aug 11 – Aug 25 |
| Beet | — | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | May 26 – Jul 7 | Aug 19 – Sep 2 |
| Radish | — | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | Apr 12 – May 10 | Sep 11 – Sep 25 |
| Onion (sets) | — | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | Jun 26 – Jul 31 | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 13 – Nov 3 (fall) | Jun 17 – Jul 8 next year | — |
| Potato | — | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | Jun 30 – Aug 4 | — |
| Sweet potato | Apr 1 | May 13 – May 27 | Aug 21 – Sep 18 | — |
| Watermelon | — | May 13 – May 27 | Aug 6 – Sep 10 | — |
| Basil | Mar 25 | May 6 – May 20 | Jun 5 – Sep 11 | — |
| Strawberry (June-bearing) | — | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | May 20 – Jun 17 (once established) | — |
| Sunflower | — | May 4 – May 18 | Jul 23 – Aug 27 | — |
Dates for a typical spot in Rhode Island. Colder and higher places plant later, warmer ones earlier: enter your ZIP code for yours, or see the calendar for your zone.
Frost dates around Rhode Island
| Place | Zone | Last frost | First frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Providence | 7a | Apr 11 | Oct 30 |
| Warwick | 7a | Apr 11 | Oct 30 |
| Cranston | 7a | Apr 11 | Oct 30 |
| Pawtucket | 7a | Apr 22 | Oct 19 |
| Newport | 7a | Apr 11 | Nov 13 |
| Wakefield | 7a | May 1 | Oct 31 |
| Adamsville | 7a | Apr 11 | Nov 4 |
| Ashaway | 6b | Apr 11 | Oct 31 |
| Barrington | 7a | Apr 11 | Oct 30 |
| Block Island | 7b | Apr 11 | Oct 31 |
Average dates from the nearest NOAA weather stations (1991–2020). Click a place for its full planting calendar.