Frost dates in Rhode Island
Across Rhode Island, the typical last spring frost is around Apr 22 and the first fall frost around Oct 20. Your own dates depend on where you are in the state; find your county below.
Most of the state's last spring frosts fall between Apr 11 and May 1, and its first fall frosts between Oct 12 and Nov 2.
These are the dates with a 50% chance of a 32°F frost on or after (spring) or on or before (fall), so plan tender crops a week or two after the spring date and keep row cover handy. For dates at your exact ZIP code, use the zone and frost date lookup; for what to plant when, see the planting guide by frost date.
Hardiness zones in Rhode Island: zone 6b, zone 7a, zone 7b
Frost dates by county in Rhode Island
| County | Last spring frost | First fall frost | Growing season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bristol | Apr 11 | Nov 2 | About 205 days |
| Kent | Apr 22 | Oct 20 | About 181 days |
| Newport | Apr 11 | Nov 4 | About 207 days |
| Providence | Apr 22 | Oct 19 | About 180 days |
| Washington | May 1 | Oct 15 | About 167 days |
Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, 50% probability of 32°F, from the weather station nearest each ZIP code; each county shows the middle value across its ZIP codes. Hills, valleys and cities can run a week or more earlier or later.