Frost dates for 02840 — Newport, RI
Last spring frostApr 7median date
First fall frostNov 13median date
Growing season220 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone7aZone 7a
How Newport compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Newport falls between March 28 and April 21, a 24-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 31 and November 27.
- The median last frost is 15 days earlier than the Rhode Island median of Apr 22.
- Its 220-day growing season is longer than 96% of the 70 Rhode Island places with a regular frost season (state median 181 days).
- The last frost is 9 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 89 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Warwick, RI, 26 km away, the last frost here is 4 days earlier than there and the growing season is 18 days longer.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 28 |
| 50% (median) | April 7 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 21 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 31 |
| 50% (median) | November 13 |
| 90% (late) | November 27 |
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 Newport, RI
Frost dates for 02840 — Newport, RI — last frost Apr 7, first frost Nov 13, zone 7a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 13 to Jan 27Transplant outside: Mar 10 to Mar 24
Start indoors: Jan 27 to Feb 10Transplant outside: Apr 21 to May 5
Start indoors: Jan 27 to Feb 10Transplant outside: Apr 21 to May 5
Start indoors: Feb 10 to Feb 24Transplant outside: Apr 14 to Apr 28
Start indoors: Feb 10 to Feb 24Transplant outside: Mar 17 to Mar 31Sow outdoors: Mar 10 to Apr 14Plant for fall: Sep 18 to Oct 16
Start indoors: Feb 10 to Feb 24Transplant outside: Mar 10 to Mar 24Sow outdoors: Mar 10 to Mar 24Plant for fall: Sep 4 to Sep 25
Start indoors: Feb 10 to Feb 24Transplant outside: Mar 24 to Apr 7Plant for fall: Aug 7 to Aug 28
Start indoors: Feb 10 to Feb 24Transplant outside: Mar 17 to Mar 31Plant for fall: Aug 7 to Aug 28
Start indoors: Feb 10 to Feb 24Transplant outside: Mar 24 to Apr 7Plant for fall: Aug 7 to Aug 28
Start indoors: Feb 24 to Mar 10Transplant outside: Apr 28 to May 12Sow outdoors: Apr 28 to May 12
Start indoors: Feb 24 to Mar 10Transplant outside: Apr 14 to Apr 28
Sow outdoors: Feb 24 to Mar 17Plant for fall: Aug 21 to Sep 11
Sow outdoors: Feb 24 to Mar 17Plant for fall: Sep 18 to Oct 9
Sow outdoors: Mar 3 to Apr 14Plant for fall: Oct 2 to Oct 23
Start indoors: Mar 10 to Mar 17Transplant outside: Apr 21 to Apr 28Sow outdoors: Apr 14 to Apr 28Plant for fall: Aug 28 to Sep 11
Start indoors: Mar 10 to Mar 17Sow outdoors: Apr 14 to Apr 28Plant for fall: Sep 4 to Sep 18
Start indoors: Mar 10 to Mar 17Sow outdoors: Apr 14 to Apr 28
Start indoors: Mar 10 to Mar 17Transplant outside: Apr 21 to May 5
Sow outdoors: Mar 17 to Apr 14Plant for fall: Aug 21 to Sep 4
Sow outdoors: Mar 17 to Apr 14Plant for fall: Sep 4 to Sep 18
Sow outdoors: Mar 17 to Apr 7
Sow outdoors: Mar 24 to Apr 21Plant for fall: Sep 4 to Sep 18
Sow outdoors: Mar 24 to Apr 14Plant for fall: Sep 18 to Oct 9
Sow outdoors: Apr 14 to May 5Plant for fall: Aug 28 to Sep 11
Sow outdoors: Apr 14 to Apr 28
Transplant outside: Apr 21 to May 12
Plant for fall: Oct 30 to Dec 4
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Newport, RI
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 13 – Jan 27 | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 27 – Feb 10 | Apr 21 – May 5 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 27 – Feb 10 | Apr 21 – May 5 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 10 – Feb 24 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 10 – Feb 24 | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | Mar 10 – Apr 14 | Sep 18 – Oct 16 |
| Kale | Feb 10 – Feb 24 | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | Sep 4 – Sep 25 |
| Broccoli | Feb 10 – Feb 24 | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | — | Aug 7 – Aug 28 |
| Cabbage | Feb 10 – Feb 24 | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | — | Aug 7 – Aug 28 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 10 – Feb 24 | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | — | Aug 7 – Aug 28 |
| Okra | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | Apr 28 – May 12 | Apr 28 – May 12 | — |
| Basil | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 24 – Mar 17 | Aug 21 – Sep 11 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 24 – Mar 17 | Sep 18 – Oct 9 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 3 – Apr 14 | Oct 2 – Oct 23 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 10 – Mar 17 | Apr 21 – Apr 28 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | Aug 28 – Sep 11 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 10 – Mar 17 | — | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | Sep 4 – Sep 18 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 10 – Mar 17 | — | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 10 – Mar 17 | Apr 21 – May 5 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 17 – Apr 14 | Aug 21 – Sep 4 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 17 – Apr 14 | Sep 4 – Sep 18 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 17 – Apr 7 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 24 – Apr 21 | Sep 4 – Sep 18 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 24 – Apr 14 | Sep 18 – Oct 9 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 14 – May 5 | Aug 28 – Sep 11 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 21 – May 12 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 30 – Dec 4 |
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 Newport Rose, RI weather station, 2 km away (elevation 16 ft (5 m)).
ZIP codes in Newport: 02840 02841
Frost dates near Newport
- Jamestown Apr 7 · Nov 13
- Middletown Apr 11 · Nov 4
- Adamsville Apr 11 · Nov 4
- Saunderstown Apr 7 · Nov 13
- Narragansett May 1 · Oct 12
- Portsmouth Apr 11 · Nov 2
- Little Compton Apr 11 · Nov 4
- Peace Dale May 1 · Oct 12
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Newport, RI?
The median last spring frost in Newport, RI is April 7. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 21, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Newport, RI?
The median first fall frost is November 13, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 31.
How long is the growing season in Newport, RI?
About 220 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Newport, RI?
Newport, RI is in USDA hardiness zone 7a.