Bristol, RI frost dates
Last spring frostApr 11median date
First fall frostNov 2median date
Growing season205 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone7aZone 7a
How Bristol compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Bristol falls between April 1 and April 22, a 21-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 20 and November 15.
- The median last frost is 11 days earlier than the Rhode Island median of Apr 22.
- Its 205-day growing season is longer than 84% of the 70 Rhode Island places with a regular frost season (state median 181 days).
- The last frost is 5 days earlier than the zone 7a median of Apr 16. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 7a chart.
- The weather station records an average of 105 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Bristol shares its weather station with Fall River, MA, 10 km away, so the two have the same frost dates.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 1 |
| 50% (median) | April 11 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 22 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 20 |
| 50% (median) | November 2 |
| 90% (late) | November 15 |
Frost here means 32°F (0°C). A median date means half of years have their last frost earlier and half later.
Planting calendar for Bristol, RI
Bristol, RI frost dates — last frost Apr 11, first frost Nov 2, zone 7a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Jan 17 to Jan 31Transplant outside: Mar 14 to Mar 28
Start indoors: Jan 31 to Feb 14Transplant outside: Apr 25 to May 9
Start indoors: Jan 31 to Feb 14Transplant outside: Apr 25 to May 9
Start indoors: Feb 14 to Feb 28Transplant outside: Apr 18 to May 2
Start indoors: Feb 14 to Feb 28Transplant outside: Mar 21 to Apr 4Sow outdoors: Mar 14 to Apr 18Plant for fall: Sep 7 to Oct 5
Start indoors: Feb 14 to Feb 28Transplant outside: Mar 14 to Mar 28Sow outdoors: Mar 14 to Mar 28Plant for fall: Aug 24 to Sep 14
Start indoors: Feb 14 to Feb 28Transplant outside: Mar 28 to Apr 11Plant for fall: Jul 27 to Aug 17
Start indoors: Feb 14 to Feb 28Transplant outside: Mar 21 to Apr 4Plant for fall: Jul 27 to Aug 17
Start indoors: Feb 14 to Feb 28Transplant outside: Mar 28 to Apr 11Plant for fall: Jul 27 to Aug 17
Start indoors: Feb 28 to Mar 14Transplant outside: May 2 to May 16Sow outdoors: May 2 to May 16
Start indoors: Feb 28 to Mar 14Transplant outside: Apr 18 to May 2
Sow outdoors: Feb 28 to Mar 21Plant for fall: Aug 10 to Aug 31
Sow outdoors: Feb 28 to Mar 21Plant for fall: Sep 7 to Sep 28
Sow outdoors: Mar 7 to Apr 18Plant for fall: Sep 21 to Oct 12
Start indoors: Mar 14 to Mar 21Transplant outside: Apr 25 to May 2Sow outdoors: Apr 18 to May 2Plant for fall: Aug 17 to Aug 31
Start indoors: Mar 14 to Mar 21Sow outdoors: Apr 18 to May 2Plant for fall: Aug 24 to Sep 7
Start indoors: Mar 14 to Mar 21Sow outdoors: Apr 18 to May 2
Start indoors: Mar 14 to Mar 21Transplant outside: Apr 25 to May 9
Sow outdoors: Mar 21 to Apr 18Plant for fall: Aug 10 to Aug 24
Sow outdoors: Mar 21 to Apr 18Plant for fall: Aug 24 to Sep 7
Sow outdoors: Mar 21 to Apr 11
Sow outdoors: Mar 28 to Apr 25Plant for fall: Aug 24 to Sep 7
Sow outdoors: Mar 28 to Apr 18Plant for fall: Sep 7 to Sep 28
Sow outdoors: Apr 18 to May 9Plant for fall: Aug 17 to Aug 31
Sow outdoors: Apr 18 to May 2
Transplant outside: Apr 25 to May 16
Plant for fall: Oct 19 to Nov 23
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Bristol, RI
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 17 – Jan 31 | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 31 – Feb 14 | Apr 25 – May 9 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 31 – Feb 14 | Apr 25 – May 9 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | Apr 18 – May 2 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | Mar 14 – Apr 18 | Sep 7 – Oct 5 |
| Kale | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | Aug 24 – Sep 14 |
| Broccoli | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | — | Jul 27 – Aug 17 |
| Cabbage | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | — | Jul 27 – Aug 17 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | — | Jul 27 – Aug 17 |
| Okra | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | May 2 – May 16 | May 2 – May 16 | — |
| Basil | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | Apr 18 – May 2 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 28 – Mar 21 | Aug 10 – Aug 31 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 28 – Mar 21 | Sep 7 – Sep 28 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 7 – Apr 18 | Sep 21 – Oct 12 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 14 – Mar 21 | Apr 25 – May 2 | Apr 18 – May 2 | Aug 17 – Aug 31 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 14 – Mar 21 | — | Apr 18 – May 2 | Aug 24 – Sep 7 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 14 – Mar 21 | — | Apr 18 – May 2 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 14 – Mar 21 | Apr 25 – May 9 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 21 – Apr 18 | Aug 10 – Aug 24 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 21 – Apr 18 | Aug 24 – Sep 7 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 21 – Apr 11 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 28 – Apr 25 | Aug 24 – Sep 7 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 28 – Apr 18 | Sep 7 – Sep 28 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 18 – May 9 | Aug 17 – Aug 31 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 18 – May 2 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 25 – May 16 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 19 – Nov 23 |
Dates come from the median frost dates and common extension-service timing. Adjust for your soil temperature, microclimate and the varieties you grow.
About these dates
Based on 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for the Tiverton, RI weather station, 8 km away (elevation 89 ft (27 m)).
Frost dates near Bristol
- Prudence Island Apr 11 · Nov 2
- Warren Apr 11 · Nov 2
- Barrington Apr 11 · Oct 30
- Tiverton Apr 11 · Nov 2
- Portsmouth Apr 11 · Nov 2
- Riverside Apr 11 · Oct 30
- Warwick Apr 11 · Oct 30
- East Providence Apr 11 · Oct 30
- Adamsville Apr 11 · Nov 4
- East Greenwich Apr 22 · Oct 20
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Bristol, RI?
The median last spring frost in Bristol, RI is April 11. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 22, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Bristol, RI?
The median first fall frost is November 2, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 20.
How long is the growing season in Bristol, RI?
About 205 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Bristol, RI?
Bristol, RI is in USDA hardiness zone 7a.