Last frost date in Cranston, RI

Average last frost
April 11

Expect the last frost in Cranston around April 11. Frost after April 23 happens in only one year out of ten. The first fall frost usually arrives about October 30, which leaves 199 frost-free days. An early freeze before October 16 happens one year in ten.

Safe after (10% risk)
Apr 23
Average first frost
Oct 30
Frost-free season
199 days
Hard freeze (28°F) ends
Apr 1
Next 7 nights in Cranston

Frost possible in low spots Fri night, low 33°F

Earlier than usual: the average first frost here is October 30.

National Weather Service forecast, updated Oct 22, 12:57 UTC

  1. ThuOct 2238°
  2. FriOct 2333°possible frost
  3. SatOct 2433°possible frost
  4. SunOct 2538°
  5. MonOct 2644°
  6. TueOct 2741°
  7. WedOct 2842°
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecLast frost Apr 11First frost Oct 30199 frost-free daysBlue: chance of 32°F frost. Green: average frost-free season.JFMAMJJASOND199 frost-free days
Frost risk through the year at Providence T F Green Airport, 4.3 miles from Cranston.

Planting calendar for Cranston

Windows count forward or back from the average frost dates above. Click a crop for dates across Rhode Island.

Start indoorsPlant outSow outdoorsFall plantingAverage last and first frost
Warm-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
TomatoesApr 18–May 2
PumpkinsApr 25–May 9
SunflowersApr 11–May 2
CucumbersApr 25–May 2
CornApr 18–May 2
Sweet potatoesMay 2–May 16
WatermelonApr 25–May 9
Green beansApr 18–May 9
ZucchiniApr 18–May 2
OkraMay 2–May 16
PeppersApr 25–May 9
BasilApr 18–May 2
Butternut squashApr 18–May 2
CantaloupeApr 25–May 9
EggplantApr 25–May 9
Cool-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PotatoesMar 14–Mar 28
OnionsFeb 28–Mar 21
CarrotsMar 21–Apr 25
LettuceMar 28–Apr 18
BroccoliMar 14–Mar 28
BeetsMar 14–Apr 25
PeasFeb 28–Mar 14
CabbageMar 14–Mar 28
RadishesMar 7–Apr 18
Brussels sproutsMar 28–Apr 11
SpinachFeb 28–Mar 21
CilantroMar 28–Apr 18
KaleMar 14–Mar 28
Collard greensMar 14–Mar 28
TurnipsMar 14–Mar 28
DillApr 11–Apr 25
CeleryApr 18–Apr 25
CauliflowerMar 28–Apr 11
LeeksMar 28–Apr 11
Swiss chardMar 28–Apr 25
ParsleyMar 28–Apr 18
Fall bulbs and garlic
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Tulip bulbsOct 16–Nov 20
GarlicOct 9–Nov 13
Daffodil bulbsOct 2–Nov 13
Perennials
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
StrawberriesMar 14–Mar 28
AsparagusMar 14–Mar 28

Frost probabilities

ThresholdSpring, 90% chance laterSpring, 50%Spring, 10%Fall, 10% chance earlierFall, 50%Fall, 90%
Light frost, 32°FApr 1Apr 11Apr 23Oct 16Oct 30Nov 12
Hard freeze, 28°FMar 18Apr 1Apr 11Oct 29Nov 9Nov 26

Read the spring 10% column as the date after which only one year in ten still gets frost. That is the safer date for tomatoes, peppers and basil.

Where these numbers come from

NOAA station Providence T F Green Airport (USW00014765) sits 4.3 miles from the center of Cranston at 60 feet. Its averages cover 1991 to 2020. Low spots, valleys and open fields can keep getting frost a week or two after the station stops; city centers and lakeshores usually get less of it.

Questions

When is the last frost in Cranston, RI?

The average last frost date in Cranston is April 11, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. There is a 10% chance of frost after April 23.

When is the first frost in Cranston?

The first frost in fall usually comes around October 30. One year in ten it arrives before October 16.

How long is the growing season in Cranston?

About 199 days between the average last and first frost.

When should I plant tomatoes in Cranston?

Plant tomato seedlings outside from April 18 to May 2. Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks earlier.

Nearby in Rhode Island

All 8 cities in Rhode Island