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Can You Grow Winter Squash in Rhode Island?

US · USDA Zone 6b · zones 6a, 6b

Grows well here

Winter squash grows well here with warm summers — it needs heat to mature and set fruit.

Plant zones

3a–10b

Rhode Island last frost

mid-March

Rhode Island first frost

mid-November

Days to harvest

90–120 days

When to plant Winter Squashes in Rhode Island

Start indoors

Feb 14

Transplant

Mar 15

Harvest

Jun 13 – Jul 13

Dates are approximate, based on Rhode Island's average frost dates. Your exact yard may vary by microclimate.

About Winter Squash

Winter squash (butternut, acorn, spaghetti) are the long-storing hard-skinned squash you plant in spring and harvest in fall. Vigorous, sprawling, and highly productive.

Direct sow or start indoors 4 weeks before last frost; transplant after frost. Give vines room (6-8 ft) or a trellis. Harvest when skin is hard and you can't dent it with a fingernail. Cure in a warm place for 1-2 weeks for long storage.

Full winter squash growing guide →

Gardening in Rhode Island

Rhode Island has a humid continental climate moderated by the ocean. A small state with a single primary zone of 6b in most areas. Four seasons with a productive growing window.

See what grows well in Rhode Island →

Frequently asked questions

Can you grow Winter Squash in Rhode Island?

Winter squash grows well here with warm summers — it needs heat to mature and set fruit.

What zone is Rhode Island?

Rhode Island spans USDA Zone 6b (6a, 6b).

When do you plant Winter Squashes in Rhode Island?

Plant Winter Squashes around mid-March (start indoors Feb 14), harvest Jun 13 – Jul 13.