Newport, RI Frost Dates
Average frost dates, USDA hardiness zone, and growing season length for Newport, Rhode Island.
Gardening in Newport
The Sailing Capital's maritime climate creates growing conditions that are milder and longer than most of New England — the Gilded Age estates had legendary gardens.
Zone 7a with 206 frost-free days — among the longest in New England. The ocean surrounds Newport on three sides, moderating every temperature extreme. Sandy, rocky coastal soil needs amendment.
The Preservation Society's mansions prove Newport's horticultural heritage. The Bellevue Avenue estates had world-class gardens in the 19th century; Newport's food culture carries that tradition.
What This Means for Newport Gardeners
The average last spring frost in Newport is around April 5, and the average first fall frost arrives around October 28. That gives you approximately 206 frost-free days to work with.
That's a generous season. You have time for full-size tomatoes, long-season peppers, and even watermelons without the anxiety of racing the frost. Start warm-season seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before your last frost to hit the ground running. Fall planting is your second opportunity — garlic, kale, lettuce, and broccoli all go in 8-10 weeks before your first frost for harvest into late autumn.
These dates are based on NOAA 30-year Climate Normal data for the Newport area. Your actual frost dates could shift 2-3 weeks in either direction in any given year. Learn more about our data sources.
What to Grow in Newport
Newport's 206-day growing season is generous — long enough for two full growing windows (spring and fall) with warm-season crops between them. You can grow the full range of vegetables, herbs, and flowers with proper timing. Focus on heat-tolerant varieties for midsummer and cool-season crops for extended fall harvests. Recommended starting points: tomatoes, peppers, beans, cucumbers, squash, garlic, kale, and sunflowers.
See the full Rhode Island planting guide for all 40 plants: Rhode Island Planting Calendar. Or enter your zip code for exact planting dates personalized to Newport.
More About Zone 7A
Newport is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7A, which means average annual extreme minimum temperatures between 0°F to 5°F. View the full Zone 7A planting guide.
See the complete planting calendar for Rhode Island: Rhode Island Planting Calendar.
Other Cities in Rhode Island
Frequently Asked Questions
These dates are based on NOAA's 30-year Climate Normal data for the Newport area. They represent historical averages, not predictions. In any given year, the actual last frost could be 2-3 weeks earlier or later. Microclimates within Newport (urban heat islands, hilltops, low-lying valleys) can also shift your local frost dates by a week or more.
Cool-season crops go in 3-4 weeks before your last frost (April 5). Warm-season crops wait until 2 weeks after. You have time for a fall round too — plant cool-season crops again in late summer for harvest into autumn. Enter your zip code for exact dates.