What to plant this week in Providence, RI
With average last frost dates in Providence typically around April 3, gardeners are now well into the planting window for warm-season crops that thrive after this date. This week marks a critical shift from hardening off spring seedlings to aggressively sowing heat-loving staples like squash, beans, and melons before the late May threats of cool snaps arrive.
The next 7 days
Providence, RIGrowing in Providence right now
- Providence's urban heat island effect can delay local frost by 1-2 weeks compared to rural neighbors, allowing for slightly earlier outdoor planting of tender perennials like shiso and nasturtium.
- The city's sandy-loam soil drains quickly during our spring thaws, so be sure to incorporate compost into raised beds before sowing heavy feeders like corn or pumpkins to retain moisture.
- Expect unpredictable rain showers throughout the season; cover newly transplanted zinnias and cosmos immediately if a storm is forecasted within 24 hours to prevent root rot.
- Watch for wind tunnels created by nearby buildings when staking tall sunflowers and pole beans, as Providence microclimates often experience gustier conditions than the open coast.
Sow this week
No direct sowing windows open this week.
Transplant this week
Nothing is due to go out this week.
Harvest soon
37 crops- Basil
- Borage
- Bush Bean
- Cantaloupe
- Cleome (Spider Flower)
- Cosmos
- Cowpea (Black-Eyed Pea)
- Cucumber
- Edamame
- Fennel
- Flour Corn
- French Marigold
- Garden Verbena
- Garlic
- Gourd (Ornamental/Bottle)
- Honeydew Melon
- Lima Bean
- Loofah (Luffa)
- Malabar Spinach
- Nasturtium
- Okra
- Pole Bean
- Pumpkin
- Roselle (Cranberry Hibiscus)
- Scarlet Runner Bean
- Shiso (Japanese Basil)
- Summer Savory
- Sunflower
- Sweet Corn
- Sweet Potato
- Thai Basil
- Vinca (Madagascar Periwinkle)
- Watermelon
- Winter Squash
- Yellow Summer Squash
- Zinnia
- Zucchini
Seasonal tips
- Succession sow bush beans or carrots every two weeks to extend your summer harvest window.
- Pinch back the tips of basil and Italian herbs like summer savory to encourage bushier growth before frost.
- Start planning your fall crop rotation; avoid planting nightshades in beds that held them last year.
- Apply a light layer of compost around perennials now to strengthen roots for winter dormancy.
Pest & disease watch
- Spider mites are becoming active on young basil and marigold plants in our dry, windy pockets around downtown parks.
- Early season aphids frequently target the new growth of sweet corn and bush beans before flowers have fully opened.
- Slugs thrive in Providence's damp spring microclimates near the riverfront; apply organic barriers to protect tender edamame seedlings.
Watering this week
Water deeply in the morning to keep roots hydrated during heat waves while reducing fungal risks on leafy greens.
Harvest watermelons when they make a hollow sound upon tapping, ensuring you get the sweetest fruit before the first frost hits.
Providence gardening questions
3Can I still start garlic indoors now for a fall harvest?
Yes, this is actually an ideal time to plant garlic cloves indoors or directly into protected spots if you missed the September window. While most varieties are planted in late summer, hardneck types can be started in containers now and moved outside once soil temperatures stabilize in early spring.
Which of these warm-season crops need trellising before they set fruit?
Pole beans, scarlet runner beans, and cucumbers must be supported immediately as they climb; delay until after flowering often results in tangled vines that yield less. If you haven't installed your structures yet, do so today for the bush bean, zucchini, and squash varieties to avoid root disturbance later.
How does Providence's specific rainfall affect watering needs for watermelons?
While we get decent spring rains, our soil can dry out rapidly in full sun; check moisture depth twice weekly rather than relying on daily surface wetness. Overwatering during fruit set is a common mistake here that leads to cracked rinds, so ensure good drainage around your melon patches.
Other cities in zone 7a
12See the full zone 7a guide → · Plan your Providence garden in SproutGuide →