Frost Dates for Providence, RI 02903
Providence has 9 ZIP codes. The Providence, RI frost page lists all of them with their dates.
Last spring frost April 20 · First fall frost October 22 · 185 frost-free days · USDA Zone 7a
ZIP 02903 has about 11,800 people, one of 9 ZIP codes in Providence.
Long season: 185 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 4–May 6 (32 days). Fall frost risk spans October 7–November 6 (30 days).
Frost probability for 02903
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | May 6 | April 20 | April 4 |
| Fall (first frost) | October 7 | October 22 | November 6 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at NEWPORT ROSE (36.4 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 185-day season in Providence
In Providence (185 frost-free days, a long season), 30 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 25 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant out / sow | Days you have | Verdict | Last sow date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Mar 16 | May 4–May 11 | 143 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 143 available after May 4. | Jun 22 |
| Pepper | Mar 9 | May 4–May 11 | 143 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 143 available after May 4. | Jun 27 |
| Lettuce | Feb 23 | Mar 23–Mar 30 | 220 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 23 and again by Aug 31; both mature before Oct 29. | Aug 31 |
| Carrots | — | Mar 30–Apr 6 | 227 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 227 available after Mar 30. | Aug 20 |
| Cucumber | Mar 30 | May 4–May 11 | 157 | two-plantings: Plant May 4 and again by Jul 26; both mature before Oct 8. | Jul 26 |
| Beans | — | Apr 27–May 11 | 171 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 27 and again by Aug 2; both mature before Oct 15. | Aug 2 |
| Peas | — | Feb 23–May 4 | 248 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 248 available after Feb 23. | Aug 11 |
| Zucchini | Apr 6 | May 4–May 11 | 157 | two-plantings: Plant May 4 and again by Jul 31; both mature before Oct 8. | Jul 31 |
| Onion | Jan 26 | Mar 23–Apr 6 | 220 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 220 available after Mar 23. | — |
| Spinach | — | Feb 23–Apr 13 | 262 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 23 and again by Sep 19; both mature before Nov 12. | Sep 19 |
| Kale | Feb 9 | Mar 23–Apr 6 | 234 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 23 and again by Sep 4; both mature before Nov 12. | Sep 4 |
| Broccoli | Feb 23 | Mar 23–Apr 6 | 220 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 220 available after Mar 23. | Jul 27 |
| Cabbage | Feb 23 | Mar 23–Apr 6 | 234 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 234 available after Mar 23. | Aug 20 |
| Radish | — | Feb 23–May 18 | 248 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 23 and again by Sep 20; both mature before Oct 29. | Sep 20 |
| Beets | — | Feb 23–May 18 | 248 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 23 and again by Aug 21; both mature before Oct 29. | Aug 21 |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 6–Apr 13 | 206 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 206 available after Apr 6. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 22 | 290 | overwinter: Plant Oct 22 to Nov 12; harvest the following summer. | Nov 12 |
| Strawberry | — | Mar 16–May 11 | 241 | perennial: A perennial: plant Mar 16; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Mar 23 | Apr 27–May 4 | 157 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 157 available after Apr 27. | Jul 4 |
| Pumpkin | Apr 6 | May 4–May 4 | 150 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 150 available after May 4. | Jun 9 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 9 | Apr 13–Apr 27 | 199 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 199 available after Apr 13. | Aug 1 |
| Swiss Chard | Feb 23 | Apr 6–Apr 6 | 206 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 6 and again by Aug 21; both mature before Oct 29. | Aug 21 |
| Arugula | — | Feb 23–May 18 | 262 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 23 and again by Sep 19; both mature before Nov 12. | Sep 19 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Feb 23 | Mar 23–Apr 6 | 234 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 234 available after Mar 23. | Jul 21 |
| Butternut Squash | Apr 6 | May 4–May 11 | 150 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 150 available after May 4. | Jun 9 |
| Eggplant | Mar 2 | May 4–May 11 | 143 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 143 available after May 4. | Jul 2 |
| Okra | Mar 23 | Apr 27–May 4 | 164 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 27 and again by Jul 31; both mature before Oct 8. | Jul 31 |
| Basil | Mar 16 | May 11–May 11 | 150 | two-plantings: Plant May 11 and again by Jul 26; both mature before Oct 8. | Jul 26 |
| Cilantro | — | Mar 23–Apr 13 | 220 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 23 and again by Aug 26; both mature before Oct 29. | Aug 26 |
| Parsley | Feb 9 | Apr 27–May 4 | 185 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 185 available after Apr 27. | Aug 6 |
| Celery | Feb 9 | Apr 27–May 11 | 185 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 185 available after Apr 27. | Jun 17 |
| Scallions | Feb 9 | Mar 23–Apr 6 | 234 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 23 and again by Aug 30; both mature before Nov 12. | Aug 30 |
| Turnip | — | Mar 23–Apr 6 | 234 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 23 and again by Sep 9; both mature before Nov 12. | Sep 9 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 9–Mar 23 | 248 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 9 and again by Sep 4; both mature before Nov 12. | Sep 4 |
| Bok Choy | Mar 23 | Apr 13–Apr 20 | 199 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 13 and again by Aug 31; both mature before Oct 29. | Aug 31 |
| Collards | Feb 9 | Mar 23–Apr 6 | 234 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 23 and again by Aug 30; both mature before Nov 12. | Aug 30 |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 6 | May 4–May 11 | 143 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 143 available after May 4. | Jun 17 |
| Chives | Jan 26 | Apr 27–May 4 | 199 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 199 available after Apr 27. | — |
| Dill | — | Feb 23–May 18 | 248 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 23 and again by Aug 21; both mature before Oct 29. | Aug 21 |
| Oregano | Feb 9 | Apr 27–May 4 | 199 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 199 available after Apr 27. | — |
| Rosemary | Jan 26 | Apr 27–May 4 | 185 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 185 available after Apr 27. | — |
| Sage | Feb 23 | Apr 27–May 4 | 199 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 199 available after Apr 27. | — |
| Thyme | Feb 9 | Apr 27–May 4 | 199 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 199 available after Apr 27. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 9 | Apr 6–Apr 20 | 206 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 6 and again by Aug 26; both mature before Oct 29. | Aug 26 |
| Cosmos | Mar 23 | Apr 20–May 4 | 171 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 20 and again by Jul 26; both mature before Oct 8. | Jul 26 |
| Lavender | Jan 26 | Apr 20–May 4 | 206 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 206 available after Apr 20. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 9 | Apr 20–Apr 27 | 171 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 20 and again by Aug 5; both mature before Oct 8. | Aug 5 |
| Melons | Apr 6 | May 4–May 11 | 143 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 143 available after May 4. | Jun 17 |
| Mint | — | Apr 20–May 4 | 206 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 206 available after Apr 20. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Mar 23 | Apr 20–Apr 27 | 171 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 20 and again by Jul 31; both mature before Oct 8. | Jul 31 |
| Pole Beans | — | Apr 27–May 11 | 164 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 164 available after Apr 27. | Jul 21 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Apr 6 | May 4–May 11 | 150 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 150 available after May 4. | Jun 19 |
| Sunflowers | — | Apr 20–May 4 | 171 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 171 available after Apr 20. | Jul 16 |
| Tomatillos | Feb 23 | Apr 27–May 4 | 150 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 150 available after Apr 27. | Jun 27 |
| Watermelon | Apr 6 | Apr 27–May 4 | 150 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 150 available after Apr 27. | Jun 22 |
| Yellow Squash | Apr 6 | May 4–May 11 | 157 | two-plantings: Plant May 4 and again by Jul 31; both mature before Oct 8. | Jul 31 |
| Zinnias | Mar 23 | Apr 20–May 4 | 171 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 20 and again by Jul 26; both mature before Oct 8. | Jul 26 |
Month by month in Providence
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Chives (Jan 26), Lavender (Jan 26), Onion (Jan 26), Rosemary (Jan 26). |
| February | Start indoors: Celery (Feb 9), Collards (Feb 9), Kale (Feb 9), Oregano (Feb 9), Parsley (Feb 9), Scallions (Feb 9), +8 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Feb 23), Beets (Feb 23), Dill (Feb 23), Peas (Feb 23), Radish (Feb 23), Spinach (Feb 23). |
| March | Start indoors: Eggplant (Mar 2), Calendula (Mar 9), Cauliflower (Mar 9), Marigolds (Mar 9), Pepper (Mar 9), Basil (Mar 16), +8 more. Direct sow from: Kohlrabi (Mar 9), Cilantro (Mar 23), Turnip (Mar 23), Carrots (Mar 30). Transplant from: Broccoli (Mar 23), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 23), Cabbage (Mar 23), Collards (Mar 23), Kale (Mar 23), Lettuce (Mar 23), +2 more. Plant: Strawberry (Mar 16). |
| April | Start indoors: Butternut Squash (Apr 6), Cantaloupe (Apr 6), Melons (Apr 6), Pumpkin (Apr 6), Spaghetti Squash (Apr 6), Watermelon (Apr 6), +2 more. Direct sow from: Potatoes (Apr 6), Sunflowers (Apr 20), Beans (Apr 27), Pole Beans (Apr 27). Transplant from: Calendula (Apr 6), Swiss Chard (Apr 6), Bok Choy (Apr 13), Cauliflower (Apr 13), Cosmos (Apr 20), Lavender (Apr 20), +15 more. Last frost around April 20. |
| May | Transplant from: Butternut Squash (May 4), Cantaloupe (May 4), Cucumber (May 4), Eggplant (May 4), Melons (May 4), Pepper (May 4), +6 more. |
| June | Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jun 9), Pumpkin (Jun 9), Cantaloupe (Jun 17), Celery (Jun 17), Melons (Jun 17), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 19), +4 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Eggplant (Jul 2), Corn (Jul 4), Sunflowers (Jul 16), Brussel Sprouts (Jul 21), Pole Beans (Jul 21), Basil (Jul 26), +8 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Cauliflower (Aug 1), Beans (Aug 2), Marigolds (Aug 5), Parsley (Aug 6), Peas (Aug 11), Cabbage (Aug 20), +10 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Kale (Sep 4), Kohlrabi (Sep 4), Turnip (Sep 9), Arugula (Sep 19), Spinach (Sep 19), Radish (Sep 20). |
| October | Direct sow from: Garlic (Oct 22). First frost around October 22. |
| November | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Nov 12). |
| December | Clean up spent plants. Add compost to beds. Rest, review, and plan next year's garden. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last frost date for Providence, RI (ZIP 02903)?
The median last spring frost date for Providence, RI (ZIP code 02903) is around April 20. This is the 50th-percentile date — meaning half of all years see frost end before this date. Use the 10% and 90% dates to understand the full range of risk in your area. One year in ten frost ends before April 4; one in ten it runs past May 6.
What is the first fall frost date in Providence, RI?
The median first fall frost date for Providence, RI is around October 22. Plan to harvest or protect frost-sensitive crops like tomatoes and peppers at least a week before this date to avoid losses. The first frost arrives around October 7 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Providence, RI?
The frost-free growing season in Providence is about 185 days. This window — from your last spring frost to your first fall frost — is when warm-season vegetables thrive. Cold-hardy crops like kale, spinach, and peas can extend your season by weeks on either side. In Providence (185 frost-free days, a long season), 30 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 25 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is Providence, RI?
Providence, RI is in USDA hardiness zone 7a (2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map). Zones come from the average coldest winter temperature, so they tell you which perennials survive the winter; the frost dates on this page tell you when to plant.
When should I start tomatoes indoors in Providence, RI?
Start tomatoes indoors Mar 16 and plant out May 4 in Providence. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Providence?
Two: plant Mar 23 and again by Aug 31; both mature before Oct 29.
When do I plant garlic in Providence?
Oct 22 to Nov 12; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Providence?
Yes: plant out May 4 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Jun 22 for a fall crop.
Nearby and related
- Frost dates for Providence, RI 02909 (2.1 mi)
- Frost dates for East Providence, RI 02914 (2.3 mi)
- Frost dates for Pawtucket, RI 02860 (3.7 mi)
- Frost dates for North Providence, RI 02911 (4.1 mi)
- Frost dates for Riverside, RI 02915 (4.3 mi)
- When to plant in Providence, RI: month-by-month guide
- When to plant in RI
- When to plant Peppers in RI
- When to plant Cucumbers in RI
- When to plant Zucchini in RI
- When to plant Butternut Squash in RI
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