FrostCal

When to Plant Tomatoes in Rhode Island

In a typical Rhode Island location, start seeds indoors Feb 14 – Feb 28, then transplant outdoors Apr 18 – Apr 25. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Apr 14 in Newport and as late as May 8 in Narragansett.

Method Start indoors, then transplant
Days to maturity 60–85 days

Start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost; transplant out 1-2 weeks after last frost once soil has warmed.

Tomatoes Planting Dates by City

CityStart indoorsTransplant
ProvidenceFeb 14 – Feb 28Apr 18 – Apr 25
WarwickFeb 14 – Feb 28Apr 18 – Apr 25
CranstonFeb 14 – Feb 28Apr 18 – Apr 25
PawtucketFeb 25 – Mar 11Apr 29 – May 6
East ProvidenceFeb 14 – Feb 28Apr 18 – Apr 25
WoonsocketFeb 25 – Mar 11Apr 29 – May 6
CoventryFeb 25 – Mar 11Apr 29 – May 6
CumberlandFeb 25 – Mar 11Apr 29 – May 6
North ProvidenceFeb 14 – Feb 28Apr 18 – Apr 25
South KingstownMar 6 – Mar 20May 8 – May 15
West WarwickFeb 25 – Mar 11Apr 29 – May 6
JohnstonFeb 14 – Feb 28Apr 18 – Apr 25
North KingstownMar 2 – Mar 16May 4 – May 11
NewportFeb 10 – Feb 24Apr 14 – Apr 21
BristolFeb 14 – Feb 28Apr 18 – Apr 25
SmithfieldFeb 25 – Mar 11Apr 29 – May 6
LincolnFeb 25 – Mar 11Apr 29 – May 6
Central FallsFeb 25 – Mar 11Apr 29 – May 6
WesterlyFeb 14 – Feb 28Apr 18 – Apr 25
PortsmouthFeb 14 – Feb 28Apr 18 – Apr 25
MiddletownFeb 14 – Feb 28Apr 18 – Apr 25
BarringtonFeb 14 – Feb 28Apr 18 – Apr 25
NarragansettMar 6 – Mar 20May 8 – May 15
East GreenwichFeb 14 – Feb 28Apr 18 – Apr 25
Newport EastFeb 14 – Feb 28Apr 18 – Apr 25
Valley FallsFeb 25 – Mar 11Apr 29 – May 6
WarrenFeb 14 – Feb 28Apr 18 – Apr 25
North SmithfieldFeb 25 – Mar 11Apr 29 – May 6
North ScituateFeb 28 – Mar 14May 2 – May 9

Showing the 29 most populous of 29 Rhode Island cities. Dates are estimates from each city's NOAA frost normals and university extension timing guidelines. See all Rhode Island cities.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant tomatoes in Rhode Island?

In a typical Rhode Island location, start seeds indoors Feb 14 – Feb 28, then transplant outdoors Apr 18 – Apr 25. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Apr 14 in Newport and as late as May 8 in Narragansett.

When is the last frost in Rhode Island?

The average last spring frost in Rhode Island ranges from April 7 in Newport to May 1 in Narragansett, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals.

How long do tomatoes take to grow?

Tomatoes typically take 60–85 days from planting to harvest. Start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost; transplant out 1-2 weeks after last frost once soil has warmed.

Other Crops in Rhode Island

When to plant tomatoes in other states

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