Planting calendar for Providence, Rhode Island

Dates from 30 years of records at the Providence T F Green Airport weather station, 7.1 miles from Providence, worked out crop by crop with the same method as the Year Round Garden app.

Providence at a glance

Weather station: Providence T F Green Airport · 7.1 mi
USDA zone: 7a
Last spring frost: typically Apr 11; 1 year in 10 after Apr 23
First fall frost: typically Oct 30; 1 year in 10 before Oct 16
Frost-free season: about 202 days
Hottest month: July: highs 84°F, nights 65°F
Coldest month: January: highs 38°F, nights 22°F
Rain: 48 in. a year, most in March, April and December

What shapes the seasons here

The last spring frost in Providence typically comes around Apr 11, but 1 year in 10 it comes after Apr 23. The first fall frost typically arrives around Oct 30. That leaves about 202 frost-free days for tender crops like tomatoes, peppers and squash.

Summers are mild, with highs around 84°F in July, so cool-season crops last longer here than in hotter places: leaf lettuce is best planted Mar 21–Apr 17, Jul 29–Sep 12.

Providence gets about 48 inches of rain a year, most of it in March, April and December.

160 of the 174 crops in the app grow here; 14 need a different climate (listed near the bottom).

When to plant the most popular crops

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Tomato (slicing)

Tomato (cherry & grape)

Pepper (sweet / bell)

Pepper (hot / chili)

Eggplant

Cucumber (slicing)

Summer squash & zucchini

Watermelon

Bean (bush snap)

Sweet corn

Okra

Sweet potato

Potato

Pea (snap & snow)

Lettuce (leaf & mesclun)

Spinach

Kale

Collard greens

Broccoli

Cabbage

Carrot

Radish

Onion (bulbing)

Garlic

Basil

Cilantro

Strawberry

Best Can plant Start indoors

Get these dates as reminders for your exact yard

The free Year Round Garden app uses the weather station nearest your own address, not just the city. It reminds you when to start seeds, plant and harvest, sends frost and storm alerts from the National Weather Service, and keeps a garden journal. No account needed, in English and Spanish.

Download on the App Store Free for up to 5 plants on iPhone and Android.

What to plant in Providence, month by month

January0

Too cold to plant outdoors. Plan beds, order seeds and start the ones listed indoors.

Start seeds indoors

Artichoke, Cabbage, Celeriac (celery root), Leek, Onion (bulbing), Parsley, Snapdragon, Stock

February0

Too cold to plant outdoors. Plan beds, order seeds and start the ones listed indoors.

Start seeds indoors

Artichoke, Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, Cabbage, Cardoon, Cauliflower, Celery, Lettuce (romaine & head), Bee balm (bergamot), Catnip, Chives, Feverfew, Garlic chives, Lovage, Sage, Thyme, Winter savory, Purple coneflower (echinacea), Statice, Stock

March54

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Arugula, Asparagus, Beet, Broccoli, Broccoli raab (rapini), Brussels sprouts, Cabbage, Carrot, Cauliflower, Chinese broccoli (gai lan), Collard greens, Daikon radish, Endive & escarole, Fava bean, Green onion / scallion, Kale, Kohlrabi, Leek, Lettuce (leaf & mesclun), Lettuce (romaine & head), Mache (corn salad), Mustard greens, Onion (bulbing), Parsnip, Pea (shelling / English), Pea (snap & snow), Radicchio, Radish, Rhubarb, Rutabaga, Salsify, Shallot, Spinach, Swiss chard, Turnip, Watercress

Herbs: Caraway, Chamomile, Chervil, Parsley, Sorrel (French / garden)

Fruit: Blackberry, Blueberry, Fig, Grape (bunch), Raspberry

Flowers: Bachelor's button (cornflower), California poppy, Coreopsis (tickseed), Larkspur, Pansy / viola, Snapdragon, Sweet alyssum, Sweet pea (flower)

Can also plant

Potato, Sunchoke (Jerusalem artichoke), Strawberry

Start seeds indoors

Eggplant, Onion (bulbing), Pepper (hot / chili), Pepper (sweet / bell), Tomato (cherry & grape), Tomato (early / short-season), Tomato (paste / determinate), Tomato (slicing), Anise hyssop, Bee balm (bergamot), Chives, Feverfew, Garlic chives, Lavender, Lemon balm, Oregano, Rosemary, Sage, Winter savory, Ground cherry, Strawflower

April57

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Artichoke, Arugula, Asparagus, Bok choy / pak choi, Broccoli raab (rapini), Cardoon, Carrot, Celeriac (celery root), Celery, Chickpea / garbanzo, Chinese broccoli (gai lan), Fennel (bulb), Garden cress, Lettuce (leaf & mesclun), Lettuce (romaine & head), Mustard greens, Onion (bulbing), Parsnip, Potato, Radish, Rhubarb, Salsify, Sunchoke (Jerusalem artichoke), Swiss chard, Tomato (early / short-season)

Herbs: Anise hyssop, Bee balm (bergamot), Borage, Catnip, Chervil, Chives, Cilantro, Fenugreek (methi), Feverfew, Garlic chives, Lemon balm, Lovage, Mint, Oregano, Sage, Sorrel (French / garden), Summer savory, Tarragon (French), Thyme, Winter savory

Fruit: Fig, Grape (bunch), Strawberry

Flowers: Bachelor's button (cornflower), Calendula, California poppy, Coreopsis (tickseed), Purple coneflower (echinacea), Statice, Stock, Strawflower, Sweet alyssum

Can also plant

Beet, Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Collard greens, Daikon radish, Endive & escarole, Green onion / scallion, Kale, Kohlrabi, Komatsuna (mustard spinach), Leek, Napa / Chinese cabbage, Pea (shelling / English), Pea (snap & snow), Radicchio, Shallot, Spinach, Turnip, Watercress, Caraway, Chamomile, Dill, Lavender, Parsley, Rosemary, Blackberry, Blueberry, Raspberry, Black-eyed Susan, Larkspur, Milkweed (native), Pansy / viola, Snapdragon, Sweet pea (flower)

Start seeds indoors

Celeriac (celery root), Celery, Eggplant, Ginger, Malabar spinach, Onion (bulbing), Pepper (hot / chili), Sweet potato, Tomatillo, Tomato (heat-set varieties), Basil, Marjoram, Shiso (perilla), Cucamelon / mouse melon, Annual salvia, Celosia, Marigold, Milkweed (native)

May47

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Amaranth greens / callaloo, Armenian cucumber, Bean (bush snap), Bean (dry / shelling), Bean (lima), Bean (pole), Bitter melon, Celery, Cucumber (pickling), Cucumber (slicing), Edamame, Eggplant, Garden cress, New Zealand spinach, Pepper (hot / chili), Pepper (sweet / bell), Popcorn, Pumpkin, Purslane, Summer squash & zucchini, Sweet corn, Tomatillo, Tomato (cherry & grape), Tomato (heat-set varieties), Tomato (paste / determinate), Tomato (slicing), Winter melon / wax gourd, Winter squash

Herbs: Basil, Borage, Epazote, Lavender, Lemon verbena, Marjoram, Papalo, Rosemary, Shiso (perilla), Summer savory, Tarragon (French), Winter savory

Fruit: Cantaloupe & melons, Cucamelon / mouse melon, Ground cherry, Watermelon

Flowers: Milkweed (native), Purple coneflower (echinacea), Strawflower

Can also plant

Arugula, Beet, Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, Cabbage, Cardoon, Carrot, Cauliflower, Celeriac (celery root), Chickpea / garbanzo, Chinese broccoli (gai lan), Collard greens, Kale, Kohlrabi, Komatsuna (mustard spinach), Leek, Lettuce (leaf & mesclun), Onion (bulbing), Parsnip, Pea (shelling / English), Pea (snap & snow), Potato, Radish, Salsify, Shallot, Swiss chard, Tomato (early / short-season), Turnip, Watercress, Anise hyssop, Bee balm (bergamot), Caraway, Chamomile, Chives, Dill, Fenugreek (methi), Feverfew, Garlic chives, Oregano, Parsley, Sage, Sorrel (French / garden), Thyme, Vietnamese coriander (rau ram), Blackberry, Blueberry, Fig, Annual salvia, Bachelor's button (cornflower), Black-eyed Susan, Calendula, California poppy, Cleome (spider flower), Coreopsis (tickseed), Marigold, Nasturtium, Pansy / viola, Statice, Stock, Sunflower, Sweet alyssum

Start seeds indoors

Eggplant, Ginger, Leek, Malabar spinach, Pepper (hot / chili), Pepper (sweet / bell), Tomato (heat-set varieties), Tomato (paste / determinate), Tomato (slicing), Parsley, Annual salvia, Celosia, Globe amaranth (gomphrena), Marigold, Pentas (Egyptian star cluster), Snapdragon, Statice

June47

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Amaranth greens / callaloo, Bean (dry / shelling), Bean (lima), Bottle gourd / cucuzza, Celeriac (celery root), Celery, Edamame, Eggplant, Ginger, Luffa gourd, Malabar spinach, Moringa, Okinawa spinach, Okra, Onion (bulbing), Pepper (hot / chili), Potato, Pumpkin, Purslane, Salsify, Southern pea / cowpea, Sweet potato, Tomato (heat-set varieties), Winged bean, Winter melon / wax gourd, Winter squash, Yardlong bean

Herbs: Cuban oregano, Culantro, Lemon verbena, Lemongrass, Marjoram, Papalo, Stevia, Vietnamese coriander (rau ram)

Fruit: Cantaloupe & melons, Watermelon

Flowers: Annual salvia, Black-eyed Susan, Celosia, Cleome (spider flower), Coreopsis (tickseed), Cosmos, Globe amaranth (gomphrena), Marigold, Sunflower, Zinnia

Can also plant

Armenian cucumber, Bean (bush snap), Bean (pole), Beet, Bitter melon, Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, Cabbage, Cardoon, Carrot, Cauliflower, Chickpea / garbanzo, Chinese broccoli (gai lan), Collard greens, Cucumber (pickling), Cucumber (slicing), Kale, Kohlrabi, Komatsuna (mustard spinach), Leek, Lettuce (leaf & mesclun), Lettuce (romaine & head), Napa / Chinese cabbage, New Zealand spinach, Parsnip, Pea (shelling / English), Pea (snap & snow), Pepper (sweet / bell), Popcorn, Rutabaga, Shallot, Summer squash & zucchini, Sweet corn, Swiss chard, Tomatillo, Tomato (cherry & grape), Tomato (early / short-season), Tomato (paste / determinate), Tomato (slicing), Turnip, Basil, Borage, Caraway, Chamomile, Dill, Epazote, Parsley, Shiso (perilla), Summer savory, Cucamelon / mouse melon, Ground cherry, Bachelor's button (cornflower), Calendula, California poppy, Nasturtium, Pentas (Egyptian star cluster), Snapdragon, Statice, Strawflower, Sweet alyssum

Start seeds indoors

Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Lettuce (romaine & head), Tomato (cherry & grape), Tomato (early / short-season), Tomato (heat-set varieties), Tomato (paste / determinate), Basil, Parsley, Marigold, Pansy / viola, Statice, Stock, Strawflower

July63

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Armenian cucumber, Bean (bush snap), Bean (dry / shelling), Bean (lima), Bean (pole), Bitter melon, Brussels sprouts, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Celeriac (celery root), Cucumber (pickling), Cucumber (slicing), Edamame, Eggplant, Fennel (bulb), Komatsuna (mustard spinach), Leek, Malabar spinach, Napa / Chinese cabbage, New Zealand spinach, Okra, Onion (bulbing), Pepper (hot / chili), Pepper (sweet / bell), Potato, Purslane, Rutabaga, Shallot, Southern pea / cowpea, Summer squash & zucchini, Sweet corn, Tomato (cherry & grape), Tomato (early / short-season), Tomato (heat-set varieties), Tomato (paste / determinate), Tomato (slicing), Yardlong bean

Herbs: Basil, Borage, Caraway, Cuban oregano, Culantro, Parsley

Fruit: Cantaloupe & melons, Watermelon

Flowers: Annual salvia, Bachelor's button (cornflower), Black-eyed Susan, Calendula, California poppy, Celosia, Cleome (spider flower), Coreopsis (tickseed), Cosmos, Globe amaranth (gomphrena), Marigold, Nasturtium, Pentas (Egyptian star cluster), Snapdragon, Statice, Sunflower, Sweet alyssum, Zinnia

Can also plant

Amaranth greens / callaloo, Arugula, Beet, Bok choy / pak choi, Bottle gourd / cucuzza, Broccoli, Broccoli raab (rapini), Carrot, Chinese broccoli (gai lan), Collard greens, Daikon radish, Garden cress, Kale, Kohlrabi, Lettuce (leaf & mesclun), Lettuce (romaine & head), Moringa, Mustard greens, Okinawa spinach, Parsnip, Pea (shelling / English), Pea (snap & snow), Radish, Spinach, Swiss chard, Tomatillo, Turnip, Chamomile, Chervil, Cilantro, Dill, Epazote, Fenugreek (methi), Papalo, Shiso (perilla), Stevia, Summer savory, Cucamelon / mouse melon, Ground cherry, Stock, Strawflower

Start seeds indoors

Broccoli, Lettuce (romaine & head), Pansy / viola, Stock

August49

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Amaranth greens / callaloo, Arugula, Bean (bush snap), Beet, Bok choy / pak choi, Broccoli, Broccoli raab (rapini), Cabbage, Carrot, Cauliflower, Chinese broccoli (gai lan), Collard greens, Cucumber (pickling), Daikon radish, Garden cress, Kohlrabi, Komatsuna (mustard spinach), Lettuce (leaf & mesclun), Lettuce (romaine & head), Mustard greens, Napa / Chinese cabbage, New Zealand spinach, Pea (shelling / English), Pea (snap & snow), Purslane, Radish, Rutabaga, Summer squash & zucchini, Swiss chard, Tomato (cherry & grape), Tomato (early / short-season), Turnip

Herbs: Borage, Caraway, Chamomile, Chervil, Cilantro, Dill, Epazote, Fenugreek (methi), Parsley

Flowers: Bachelor's button (cornflower), Calendula, California poppy, Nasturtium, Statice, Stock, Strawflower, Sweet alyssum

Can also plant

Kale, Mache (corn salad), Spinach, Annual salvia, Marigold, Pansy / viola, Pentas (Egyptian star cluster)

September18

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Arugula, Broccoli raab (rapini), Garden cress, Kale, Kohlrabi, Komatsuna (mustard spinach), Lettuce (leaf & mesclun), Mache (corn salad), Mustard greens, Radish, Spinach, Turnip

Herbs: Chervil, Fenugreek (methi)

Flowers: Calendula, Pansy / viola, Stock, Sweet alyssum

October2

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Elephant garlic, Garlic

November2

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Elephant garlic, Garlic

December0

Too cold to plant outdoors. Plan beds, order seeds and start the ones listed indoors.

Start seeds indoors

Pansy / viola

Every crop that grows in Providence

160 of 174 crops in the app fit this climate. Dates are for planting outdoors; “Start indoors” is for seeds you grow into transplants.

Vegetables

Crop	Best time to plant	Also possible	Start indoors	How
Amaranth greens / callaloo	May 25–Jun 8, Aug 12–27	Jun 9–Aug 11	—	Sow seeds
Armenian cucumber	May 9–23, Jul 11–31	May 24–Jul 10	—	Sow seeds
Artichoke	Mar 28–Apr 11	Apr 12–May 9	Jan 24–Feb 7	Set out plants
Arugula	Mar 22–Apr 24, Aug 3–Sep 22	Feb 28–Mar 21, Apr 25–May 20, Jun 27–Aug 2	—	Sow seeds
Asparagus	Mar 14–Apr 11	Apr 12–May 9	—	Set out plants
Bean (bush snap)	May 9–23, Jul 25–Aug 15	May 24–Jul 24	—	Sow seeds
Bean (dry / shelling)	May 9–23, Jun 20–Jul 11	May 24–Jun 19	—	Sow seeds
Bean (lima)	May 25–Jun 8, Jun 26–Jul 16	Jun 9–25	—	Sow seeds
Bean (pole)	May 9–23, Jul 15–Aug 5	May 24–Jul 14	—	Sow seeds
Beet	Mar 14–Apr 4, Aug 10–31	Apr 5–Aug 9	—	Sow seeds
Bitter melon	May 9–23, Jul 13–Aug 3	May 24–Jul 12	—	Sow seeds
Bok choy / pak choi	Mar 28–Apr 12, Aug 5–24	Apr 13–24, Jul 12–Aug 4	—	Sow seeds
Bottle gourd / cucuzza	Jun 12–26	Jun 27–Jul 17	—	Sow seeds
Broccoli	Mar 14–28, Aug 3–23	Mar 29–May 18, Jun 14–Aug 2	Jan 31–Feb 14, Jun 22–Jul 12	Set out plants
Broccoli raab (rapini)	Mar 17–Apr 13, Aug 8–Sep 10	Mar 14–16, Apr 14–May 3, Jun 30–Aug 7	—	Sow seeds
Brussels sprouts	Mar 14–28, Jul 15–Aug 5	Mar 29–Jul 14	Jan 31–Feb 14, Jun 3–24	Set out plants
Cabbage	Mar 7–21, Jul 21–Aug 11	Mar 22–Jul 20	Jan 24–Feb 7, Jun 9–30	Set out plants
Cardoon	Apr 11–25	Apr 26–Jun 17	Feb 7–21	Set out plants
Carrot	Mar 21–Apr 11, Jul 31–Aug 21	Apr 12–Jul 30	—	Sow seeds
Cauliflower	Mar 21–Apr 4, Jul 20–Aug 9	Apr 5–May 20, Jun 21–Jul 19	Feb 7–21, Jun 8–28	Set out plants
Celeriac (celery root)	Apr 8–22, Jun 16–Jul 7	Apr 23–Jun 15	Jan 21–Feb 4, Mar 31–Apr 21	Set out plants
Celery	Apr 23–May 7, Jun 12–Jul 3	May 8–Jun 11	Feb 5–19, Mar 27–Apr 17	Set out plants
Chickpea / garbanzo	Apr 8–22	Apr 23–Jun 30	—	Sow seeds
Chinese broccoli (gai lan)	Mar 21–Apr 11, Aug 8–28	Apr 12–Aug 7	—	Sow seeds
Collard greens	Mar 14–28, Aug 14–Sep 4	Mar 29–Aug 13	—	Sow seeds
Cucumber (pickling)	May 9–23, Jul 18–Aug 8	May 24–Jul 17	—	Sow seeds
Cucumber (slicing)	May 9–23, Jul 16–Aug 5	May 24–Jul 15	—	Sow seeds
Daikon radish	Mar 21–Apr 4, Aug 10–31	Apr 5–May 9, Jul 6–Aug 9	—	Sow seeds
Edamame	May 25–Jun 8, Jun 28–Jul 18	Jun 9–27	—	Sow seeds
Eggplant	May 25–Jun 8, Jul 1–21	Jun 9–30	Mar 23–Apr 6, Apr 29–May 19	Set out plants
Elephant garlic	Oct 9–Nov 13	—	—	Sow seeds
Endive & escarole	Mar 21–Apr 4, Jul 2–6	Apr 5–14, Jun 28–Jul 1	—	Sow seeds
Fava bean	Mar 5–19	Mar 20–27	—	Sow seeds
Fennel (bulb)	Mar 28–Apr 11, Jul 12–Aug 2	Apr 12–30, Jun 26–Jul 11	—	Sow seeds
Garden cress	Apr 4–May 8, Aug 20–Sep 26	Mar 28–Apr 3, May 9–Jun 4, Jul 13–Aug 19	—	Sow seeds
Garlic	Oct 9–Nov 13	—	—	Sow seeds
Ginger	Jun 12–Jul 4	—	Apr 24–May 16	Set out plants
Green onion / scallion	Mar 14–28	Mar 29–May 9	—	Sow seeds
Kale	Feb 28–Mar 21, Aug 27–Sep 16	Mar 22–Aug 26	—	Sow seeds
Kohlrabi	Mar 14–28, Aug 18–Sep 7	Mar 29–Aug 17	—	Sow seeds
Komatsuna (mustard spinach)	Jul 20–Sep 15	Apr 11–May 22, Jun 16–Jul 19	—	Sow seeds
Leek	Mar 14–28, Jul 5–26	Mar 29–Jul 4	Jan 10–24, May 3–24	Set out plants
Lettuce (leaf & mesclun)	Mar 21–Apr 17, Jul 29–Sep 12	Mar 14–20, Apr 18–May 13, Jun 19–Jul 28	—	Sow seeds
Lettuce (romaine & head)	Mar 21–Apr 8, Jul 26–Aug 26	Apr 9–24, Jun 21–Jul 25	Feb 14–Mar 4, Jun 21–Jul 22	Set out plants
Luffa gourd	Jun 12–19	—	—	Sow seeds
Mache (corn salad)	Mar 14–Apr 2, Sep 9–24	Apr 3–9, Aug 11–Sep 8	—	Sow seeds
Malabar spinach	Jun 12–26, Jul 8–21	Jun 27–Jul 7	Apr 24–May 8, May 20–Jun 2	Set out plants
Moringa	Jun 12–26	Jun 27–Jul 14	—	Sow seeds
Mustard greens	Mar 18–Apr 17, Aug 9–Sep 20	Feb 28–Mar 17, Apr 18–May 9, Jul 6–Aug 8	—	Sow seeds
Napa / Chinese cabbage	Jul 6–Aug 21	Mar 28–Apr 29, Jun 4–Jul 5	—	Sow seeds
New Zealand spinach	May 9–23, Jul 18–Aug 7	May 24–Jul 17	—	Sow seeds
Okinawa spinach	Jun 12–26	Jun 27–Jul 31	—	Set out plants
Okra	Jun 12–26, Jul 16–28	Jun 27–Jul 15	—	Sow seeds
Onion (bulbing)	Mar 22–Apr 12, May 31–Jul 17	Feb 28–Mar 21, Apr 13–May 30	Jan 4–25, Mar 15–May 1	Set out plants
Parsnip	Mar 21–Apr 11	Apr 12–Jul 21	—	Sow seeds
Pea (shelling / English)	Mar 5–19, Aug 8–28	Mar 20–May 21, Jun 20–Aug 7	—	Sow seeds
Pea (snap & snow)	Mar 5–19, Aug 8–28	Mar 20–May 21, Jun 18–Aug 7	—	Sow seeds
Pepper (hot / chili)	May 16–30, Jun 23–Jul 14	May 31–Jun 22	Mar 14–28, Apr 21–May 12	Set out plants
Pepper (sweet / bell)	May 9–23, Jul 3–24	May 24–Jul 2	Mar 7–21, May 1–22	Set out plants
Popcorn	May 9–16	May 17–Jun 28	—	Sow seeds
Potato	Apr 9–23, Jun 2–Jul 13	Mar 22–Apr 8, Apr 24–Jun 1	—	Sow seeds
Pumpkin	May 9–23, May 29–Jun 19	—	—	Sow seeds
Purslane	May 25–Jun 8, Jul 24–Aug 14	Jun 9–Jul 23	—	Sow seeds
Radicchio	Mar 14–21	Mar 22–Apr 21	—	Sow seeds
Radish	Mar 24–May 4, Aug 20–Oct 4	Mar 7–23, May 5–Jun 2, Jul 10–Aug 19	—	Sow seeds
Rhubarb	Mar 14–Apr 11	Apr 12–May 9	—	Set out plants
Rutabaga	Mar 14–28, Jul 20–Aug 10	Mar 29–Apr 4, Jun 16–Jul 6	—	Sow seeds
Salsify	Mar 21–Apr 11, May 27–Jun 17	Apr 12–May 26	—	Sow seeds
Shallot	Feb 28–Mar 14, Jul 10–31	Mar 15–Jul 9	—	Sow seeds
Southern pea / cowpea	Jun 12–26, Jun 28–Jul 17	—	—	Sow seeds
Spinach	Feb 28–Apr 6, Aug 31–Sep 29	Apr 7–28, Jul 16–Aug 30	—	Sow seeds
Summer squash & zucchini	May 9–23, Jul 21–Aug 10	May 24–Jul 20	—	Sow seeds
Sunchoke (Jerusalem artichoke)	Apr 12–May 3	Mar 22–Apr 11	—	Sow seeds
Sweet corn	May 9–16, Jul 3–23	May 17–Jul 2	—	Sow seeds
Sweet potato	Jun 12–19	—	Apr 24–May 1	Set out plants
Swiss chard	Mar 21–Apr 11, Aug 15–Sep 5	Apr 12–Aug 14	—	Sow seeds
Tomatillo	May 9–23	May 24–Jul 21	Mar 28–Apr 11	Set out plants
Tomato (cherry & grape)	May 9–23, Jul 18–Aug 7	May 24–Jul 17	Mar 21–Apr 4, May 30–Jun 19	Set out plants
Tomato (early / short-season)	Apr 23–30, Jul 23–Aug 12	May 1–Jul 22	Mar 5–12, Jun 4–24	Set out plants
Tomato (heat-set varieties)	May 25–Jun 8, Jul 5–26	Jun 9–Jul 4	Apr 6–20, May 17–Jun 7	Set out plants
Tomato (paste / determinate)	May 9–23, Jul 5–26	May 24–Jul 4	Mar 21–Apr 4, May 17–Jun 7	Set out plants
Tomato (slicing)	May 9–23, Jul 3–23	May 24–Jul 2	Mar 21–Apr 4, May 15–Jun 4	Set out plants
Turnip	Mar 14–28, Aug 20–Sep 10	Mar 29–Aug 19	—	Sow seeds
Watercress	Mar 21–Apr 4	Apr 5–May 16	—	Sow seeds
Winged bean	Jun 12–19	—	—	Sow seeds
Winter melon / wax gourd	May 25–Jun 19	—	—	Sow seeds
Winter squash	May 9–23, Jun 8–29	May 24–Jun 7	—	Sow seeds
Yardlong bean	Jun 12–26, Jul 3–17	—	—	Sow seeds

Herbs

Crop	Best time to plant	Also possible	Start indoors	How
Anise hyssop	Apr 11–May 3	May 4–Jun 6	Feb 25–Mar 19	Set out plants
Basil	May 25–Jun 1, Jul 16–Aug 5	Jun 2–Jul 15	Apr 20–27, Jun 11–Jul 1	Set out plants
Bee balm (bergamot)	Apr 11–May 3	May 4–Jun 6	Feb 21–Mar 15	Set out plants
Borage	Apr 18–May 8, Jul 4–Aug 22	Apr 4–17, May 9–Jul 3	—	Sow seeds
Caraway	Mar 21–Apr 4, Jul 21–Aug 11	Apr 5–Jul 20	—	Sow seeds
Catnip	Mar 28–Apr 18	Apr 19–May 9	Feb 7–28	Set out plants
Chamomile	Mar 14–28, Aug 5–26	Mar 29–Aug 4	—	Sow seeds
Chervil	Mar 21–Apr 8, Aug 13–Sep 10	Apr 9–23, Jul 11–Aug 12	—	Sow seeds
Chives	Apr 11–May 2	May 3–Jun 6	Feb 21–Mar 14	Set out plants
Cilantro	Mar 28–Apr 10, Jul 27–Sep 2	Apr 11–27, Jun 23–Jul 26	—	Sow seeds
Cuban oregano	Jun 22–Jul 20	May 25–Jun 21	—	Set out plants
Culantro	Jun 12–26, Jul 10–17	Jun 27–Jul 9	—	Sow seeds
Dill	Mar 28–Apr 4, Aug 6–27	Apr 5–Aug 5	—	Sow seeds
Epazote	May 9–23, Jul 30–Aug 20	May 24–Jul 29	—	Sow seeds
Fenugreek (methi)	Apr 11–28, Jul 29–Sep 8	Apr 29–May 25, Jun 27–Jul 28	—	Sow seeds
Feverfew	Apr 4–May 2	May 3–30	Feb 14–Mar 14	Set out plants
Garlic chives	Apr 11–May 2	May 3–Jun 6	Feb 21–Mar 14	Set out plants
Lavender	May 24–Jun 6	Apr 18–May 23	Mar 8–21	Set out plants
Lemon balm	Apr 11–May 2	Mar 28–Apr 10, May 3–9	Mar 7–28	Set out plants
Lemon verbena	May 18–Jun 11	Apr 23–May 17	—	Set out plants
Lemongrass	Jun 12–Jul 4	—	—	Set out plants
Lovage	Mar 28–Apr 18	Apr 19–May 9	Feb 7–28	Set out plants
Marjoram	May 18–Jun 11	Apr 23–May 17	Mar 30–Apr 23	Set out plants
Mint	Apr 7–28	Mar 28–Apr 6, Apr 29–May 9	—	Set out plants
Oregano	Apr 18–May 4	Apr 11–17, May 5–Jun 6	Feb 28–Mar 16	Set out plants
Papalo	May 25–Jun 8	Jun 9–Jul 26	—	Sow seeds
Parsley	Mar 21–Apr 4, Jul 21–Aug 11	Apr 5–Jul 20	Jan 17–31, May 19–Jun 9	Set out plants
Rosemary	May 13–Jun 6	Apr 18–May 12	Feb 25–Mar 21	Set out plants
Sage	Apr 4–May 2	May 3–30	Feb 14–Mar 14	Set out plants
Shiso (perilla)	May 9–16	May 17–Aug 2	Apr 4–11	Set out plants
Sorrel (French / garden)	Mar 24–Apr 21	Mar 21–23, Apr 22–May 16	—	Sow seeds
Stevia	Jun 10–Jul 3	May 25–Jun 9, Jul 4–11	—	Set out plants
Summer savory	Apr 23–May 7	May 8–Aug 5	—	Sow seeds
Tarragon (French)	Apr 11–May 8	May 9–Jun 6	—	Set out plants
Thyme	Apr 11–26	Apr 27–Jun 6	Feb 14–Mar 1	Set out plants
Vietnamese coriander (rau ram)	Jun 6–Jul 4	May 9–Jun 5	—	Set out plants
Winter savory	Apr 11–May 8	May 9–Jun 6	Feb 21–Mar 20	Set out plants

Fruit

Crop	Best time to plant	Also possible	Start indoors	How
Blackberry	Mar 12–28	Mar 29–May 14	—	Set out plants
Blueberry	Mar 12–21	Mar 22–May 28	—	Set out plants
Cantaloupe & melons	May 25–Jun 8, Jun 21–Jul 11	Jun 9–20	—	Sow seeds
Cucamelon / mouse melon	May 9–23	May 24–Jul 26	Apr 4–18	Set out plants
Fig	Mar 21–Apr 18	Apr 19–May 30	—	Set out plants
Grape (bunch)	Mar 14–Apr 11	Apr 12–25	—	Set out plants
Ground cherry	May 9–23	May 24–Jul 31	Mar 21–Apr 4	Set out plants
Raspberry	Mar 14–28	Mar 29–May 9	—	Set out plants
Strawberry	Mar 27–Apr 24	Mar 14–26, Apr 25–May 9	—	Set out plants
Watermelon	May 25–Jun 8, Jun 18–Jul 9	Jun 9–17	—	Sow seeds

Flowers

Crop	Best time to plant	Also possible	Start indoors	How
Annual salvia	Jun 12–Aug 2	May 9–Jun 11, Aug 3–20	Apr 3–May 24	Set out plants
Bachelor's button (cornflower)	Mar 14–Apr 20, Jul 22–Aug 23	Apr 21–May 17, Jun 9–Jul 21	—	Sow seeds
Black-eyed Susan	May 28–Jul 18	Apr 11–May 27, Jul 19–23	—	Sow seeds
Calendula	Mar 28–Apr 30, Jul 22–Sep 7	May 1–Jul 21	—	Sow seeds
California poppy	Mar 14–Apr 20, Jul 22–Aug 23	Apr 21–May 17, Jun 9–Jul 21	—	Sow seeds
Celosia	Jun 12–19, Jun 23–Jul 9	—	Apr 24–May 1, May 5–21	Set out plants
Cleome (spider flower)	Jun 7–Jul 13	May 9–Jun 6, Jul 14–21	—	Sow seeds
Coreopsis (tickseed)	Mar 23–Apr 9, Jun 10–Aug 1	Mar 14–22, Apr 10–Jun 9	—	Sow seeds
Cosmos	Jun 13–Jul 16	May 25–Jun 12, Jul 17–31	—	Sow seeds
Globe amaranth (gomphrena)	Jun 13–Jul 16	May 25–Jun 12, Jul 17–31	Apr 25–May 28	Set out plants
Larkspur	Feb 28–Mar 21	Mar 22–Apr 14	—	Sow seeds
Marigold	Jun 11–Jul 30	May 9–Jun 10, Jul 31–Aug 15	Apr 23–Jun 11	Set out plants
Milkweed (native)	May 9–Jun 6	Apr 11–May 8	Apr 4–May 2	Set out plants
Nasturtium	Jul 2–Aug 20	Apr 23–Jul 1	—	Sow seeds
Pansy / viola	Feb 28–Mar 21, Sep 2–22	Mar 22–May 13, Jul 28–Sep 1	Jun 17–Jul 7, Dec 13–Jan 3	Set out plants
Pentas (Egyptian star cluster)	Jun 30–Jul 30	Jun 12–29, Jul 31–Aug 12	Apr 28–May 28	Set out plants
Purple coneflower (echinacea)	Apr 21–May 14	Apr 11–20, May 15–Jun 6	Feb 3–26	Set out plants
Snapdragon	Mar 14–28, Jul 11–Aug 1	Mar 29–Apr 15, Jun 4–Jul 10	Jan 10–24, May 9–30	Set out plants
Statice	Apr 11–25, Jul 22–Aug 12	Apr 26–Jul 21	Feb 7–21, May 20–Jun 10	Set out plants
Stock	Mar 28–Apr 11, Aug 20–Sep 10	Apr 12–May 15, Jul 11–Aug 19	Jan 24–Feb 7, Jun 18–Jul 9	Set out plants
Strawflower	Apr 23–May 7, Jul 30–Aug 19	May 8–Jul 29	Mar 5–19, Jun 11–Jul 1	Set out plants
Sunflower	Jun 9–Jul 13	May 9–Jun 8, Jul 14–16	—	Sow seeds
Sweet alyssum	Mar 23–May 1, Jul 25–Sep 9	Mar 21–22, May 2–Jul 24	—	Sow seeds
Sweet pea (flower)	Mar 5–Apr 2	Apr 3–21	—	Sow seeds
Zinnia	Jun 14–Jul 18	May 25–Jun 13, Jul 19–Aug 2	—	Sow seeds

Crops that struggle in Providence

These need a climate Providence doesn't have. Pots, shade cloth or a greenhouse can stretch the rules.

Banana: Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 45°F; the coldest month here averages 22°F.
Bay laurel: Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 32°F; the coldest month here averages 22°F.
Cassava (yuca): Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 40°F; the coldest month here averages 22°F.
Chaya (tree spinach): Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 40°F; the coldest month here averages 22°F.
Jicama: The frost-free season (about 202 days) is shorter than the 180 days it needs.
Muscadine grape: Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 26°F; the coldest month here averages 22°F.
Papaya: Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 48°F; the coldest month here averages 22°F.
Passion fruit: Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 44°F; the coldest month here averages 22°F.
Peanut: The frost-free season (about 202 days) is shorter than the 130 days it needs.
Pigeon pea: The frost-free season (about 202 days) is shorter than the 150 days it needs.
Pineapple: Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 45°F; the coldest month here averages 22°F.
Roselle: The frost-free season (about 202 days) is shorter than the 165 days it needs.
Seminole pumpkin / calabaza: The frost-free season (about 202 days) is shorter than the 108 days it needs.
Taro (dasheen): The frost-free season (about 202 days) is shorter than the 225 days it needs.

Nearby planting calendars

Boston, MA 41 mi · last frost around Apr 4
Manchester, NH 81 mi · last frost around Apr 30
Bridgeport, CT 102 mi · last frost around Apr 5
Portland, ME 140 mi · last frost around Apr 26
New York City, NY 155 mi · last frost around Mar 30
All Rhode Island cities

How these dates are worked out

Each crop has temperature limits and timing from university extension guides: how cold a night it can take, how much heat it can stand, how long it takes to mature, and how far before or after the last frost it goes in. Those are checked day by day against the Providence T F Green Airport station's NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals (average highs, lows, rain and frost dates). Dates are estimates for a typical year; a sheltered yard, a slope or a cold pocket can shift them by a week or two.

Weather: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals. Crop timing: university extension guides (sources listed for each crop in the app). City locations: GeoNames (CC BY 4.0).