City comparison

North American Cities With the Shortest Growing Seasons

Frost-free days are not the whole story, but they are one of the clearest ways to compare outdoor gardening pressure. This ranking compares cities by median frost-free window.

Shortest season Hay River 65 frost-free days · Very short

Longest season Portland 279 frost-free days · Longer season

Cities compared 428 Cities with frost-date values

The ranking

Cities are ranked from shortest to longest median frost-free window. GDD still matters: two places can have similar frost dates but very different heat accumulation during the season.

Rank	City	Frost-free days	Typical last frost	Typical first frost	Base 50°F GDD
#1	Hay River Northwest Territories, Canada	65 Very short	June 20	August 24	0
#2	Banff Alberta, Canada	65 Very short	June 19	August 23	503
#3	Canmore Alberta, Canada	65 Very short	June 19	August 23	883
#4	Jackson Wyoming, U.S.	72 Very short	June 20	August 31	856
#5	Rocky Mountain House Alberta, Canada	73 Very short	June 13	August 25	952
#6	Thompson Manitoba, Canada	75 Very short	June 14	August 28	1129
#7	La Ronge Saskatchewan, Canada	79 Very short	June 15	September 2	1036
#8	Soldotna Alaska, U.S.	82 Very short	June 11	September 1	391
#9	Butte Montana, U.S.	84 Very short	June 13	September 5	1057
#10	Whitehorse Yukon, Canada	86 Very short	June 3	August 28	1474
#11	Edson Alberta, Canada	92 Short	June 4	September 4	833
#12	Hinton Alberta, Canada	92 Short	June 4	September 4	1107
#13	Timmins Ontario, Canada	92 Short	June 7	September 7	1297
#14	Hibbing Minnesota, U.S.	95 Short	June 5	September 8	1185
#15	Meadow Lake Saskatchewan, Canada	97 Short	May 30	September 4	678
#16	Sept-Îles Quebec, Canada	98 Short	June 7	September 13	71
#17	Iron River Michigan, U.S.	98 Short	June 4	September 10	1560
#18	Kenai Alaska, U.S.	99 Short	June 1	September 8	391
#19	Fort Vermilion Alberta, Canada	99 Short	May 30	September 6	1392
#20	High Level Alberta, Canada	99 Short	May 30	September 6	1392
#21	Saranac Lake New York, U.S.	99 Short	June 2	September 9	2316
#22	Fort McMurray Alberta, Canada	101 Short	May 29	September 7	1666
#23	Helena Montana, U.S.	102 Short	June 4	September 14	1029
#24	Swan River Manitoba, Canada	102 Short	June 3	September 13	1411
#25	Kalispell Montana, U.S.	102 Short	May 31	September 10	1465
#26	Corner Brook Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada	102 Short	June 10	September 20	2260
#27	Revelstoke British Columbia, Canada	103 Short	May 31	September 11	585
#28	Kindersley Saskatchewan, Canada	103 Short	May 30	September 10	640
#29	New Glasgow Nova Scotia, Canada	104 Short	June 10	September 22	1448
#30	Matagami Quebec, Canada	104 Short	June 18	September 30	1601
#31	Laramie Wyoming, U.S.	105 Short	June 2	September 15	1489
#32	Cochrane Ontario, Canada	105 Short	June 4	September 17	1925
#33	Moosonee Ontario, Canada	105 Short	June 4	September 17	1925
#34	Kapuskasing Ontario, Canada	105 Short	June 4	September 17	2285
#35	Leduc Alberta, Canada	106 Short	May 27	September 10	325
#36	Edmonton Alberta, Canada	106 Short	May 27	September 10	679
#37	Bend Oregon, U.S.	106 Short	June 6	September 20	1560
#38	Prince George British Columbia, Canada	108 Short	May 22	September 7	287
#39	Val-d'Or Quebec, Canada	108 Short	May 31	September 16	758
#40	Amos Quebec, Canada	108 Short	May 31	September 16	1952
#41	Ashland Oregon, U.S.	108 Short	June 8	September 24	2177
#42	Thunder Bay Ontario, Canada	108 Short	May 31	September 16	2260
#43	North Battleford Saskatchewan, Canada	110 Short	May 26	September 13	1117
#44	Alamosa Colorado, U.S.	110 Short	May 30	September 17	1434
#45	International Falls Minnesota, U.S.	111 Short	May 28	September 16	1341
#46	Grande Prairie Alberta, Canada	112 Short	May 21	September 10	912
#47	Chapleau Ontario, Canada	112 Short	May 29	September 18	2134
#48	Lacombe Alberta, Canada	113 Short	May 22	September 12	503
#49	Red Deer Alberta, Canada	113 Short	May 22	September 12	589
#50	Slave Lake Alberta, Canada	113 Short	May 26	September 16	1392
#51	Prince Albert Saskatchewan, Canada	114 Short	May 24	September 15	870
#52	Regina Saskatchewan, Canada	114 Short	May 23	September 14	901
#53	Cut Bank Montana, U.S.	114 Short	May 24	September 15	1287
#54	Mackenzie British Columbia, Canada	114 Short	May 26	September 17	1742
#55	Smithers British Columbia, Canada	114 Short	May 26	September 17	1742
#56	Melfort Saskatchewan, Canada	115 Short to moderate	May 23	September 15	901
#57	Peace River Alberta, Canada	115 Short to moderate	May 21	September 13	925
#58	Baie-Comeau Quebec, Canada	115 Short to moderate	May 29	September 21	2207
#59	Williams Lake British Columbia, Canada	116 Short to moderate	May 21	September 14	830
#60	Truro Nova Scotia, Canada	116 Short to moderate	June 1	September 25	1282
#61	Palmer Alaska, U.S.	117 Short to moderate	May 22	September 16	700
#62	Camrose Alberta, Canada	117 Short to moderate	May 20	September 14	937
#63	Wetaskiwin Alberta, Canada	117 Short to moderate	May 20	September 14	1028
#64	Edmundston New Brunswick, Canada	117 Short to moderate	May 21	September 15	1184
#65	Littleton New Hampshire, U.S.	117 Short to moderate	May 24	September 18	1694
#66	Whitecourt Alberta, Canada	118 Short to moderate	May 20	September 15	1155
#67	Lethbridge Alberta, Canada	119 Short to moderate	May 21	September 17	867
#68	Saskatoon Saskatchewan, Canada	119 Short to moderate	May 19	September 15	901
#69	Humboldt Saskatchewan, Canada	119 Short to moderate	May 19	September 15	1412
#70	Bozeman Montana, U.S.	119 Short to moderate	May 26	September 22	1532
#71	Casper Wyoming, U.S.	119 Short to moderate	May 26	September 22	1970
#72	Yellowknife Northwest Territories, Canada	120 Short to moderate	May 24	September 21	725
#73	Cochrane Alberta, Canada	120 Short to moderate	May 21	September 18	833
#74	Cold Lake Alberta, Canada	120 Short to moderate	May 19	September 16	833
#75	Calgary Alberta, Canada	120 Short to moderate	May 21	September 18	841
#76	Okotoks Alberta, Canada	120 Short to moderate	May 21	September 18	867
#77	Airdrie Alberta, Canada	120 Short to moderate	May 21	September 18	1339
#78	Quesnel British Columbia, Canada	120 Short to moderate	May 22	September 19	1610
#79	Idaho Falls Idaho, U.S.	120 Short to moderate	May 23	September 20	2001
#80	Cody Wyoming, U.S.	121 Short to moderate	May 27	September 25	750
#81	Yorkton Saskatchewan, Canada	121 Short to moderate	May 20	September 18	1227
#82	The Pas Manitoba, Canada	121 Short to moderate	May 24	September 22	1497
#83	Selkirk Manitoba, Canada	122 Short to moderate	May 23	September 22	703
#84	Winnipeg Manitoba, Canada	122 Short to moderate	May 23	September 22	703
#85	Fort Nelson British Columbia, Canada	122 Short to moderate	May 15	September 14	854
#86	Lloydminster Alberta, Canada	122 Short to moderate	May 18	September 17	1028
#87	Steinbach Manitoba, Canada	122 Short to moderate	May 23	September 22	1135
#88	Brooks Alberta, Canada	122 Short to moderate	May 22	September 21	1392
#89	Dauphin Manitoba, Canada	122 Short to moderate	May 21	September 20	1435
#90	Hayward Wisconsin, U.S.	122 Short to moderate	May 23	September 22	1726
#91	Brandon Manitoba, Canada	123 Short to moderate	May 18	September 18	1089
#92	Swift Current Saskatchewan, Canada	123 Short to moderate	May 19	September 19	1112
#93	Rouyn-Noranda Quebec, Canada	123 Short to moderate	May 25	September 25	1156
#94	Weyburn Saskatchewan, Canada	123 Short to moderate	May 17	September 17	1421
#95	Estevan Saskatchewan, Canada	123 Short to moderate	May 17	September 17	1461
#96	Rhinelander Wisconsin, U.S.	123 Short to moderate	May 23	September 23	1540
#97	Wawa Ontario, Canada	124 Short to moderate	May 28	September 29	1153
#98	Sault Ste. Marie Ontario, Canada	124 Short to moderate	May 28	September 29	2372
#99	Durango Colorado, U.S.	125 Short to moderate	May 28	September 30	382
#100	Red Lake Ontario, Canada	125 Short to moderate	May 25	September 27	1530
#101	Bridgewater Nova Scotia, Canada	125 Short to moderate	May 26	September 28	1639
#102	Dickinson North Dakota, U.S.	125 Short to moderate	May 20	September 22	1840
#103	Gillette Wyoming, U.S.	125 Short to moderate	May 21	September 23	2021
#104	Flin Flon Manitoba, Canada	126 Short to moderate	May 21	September 24	1135
#105	Fort St. John British Columbia, Canada	127 Short to moderate	May 12	September 16	679
#106	Houlton Maine, U.S.	127 Short to moderate	May 19	September 23	1918
#107	Cranbrook British Columbia, Canada	128 Short to moderate	May 18	September 23	1099
#108	Saint John New Brunswick, Canada	129 Short to moderate	May 21	September 27	1051
#109	Amherst Nova Scotia, Canada	129 Short to moderate	May 27	October 3	1241
#110	Bathurst New Brunswick, Canada	129 Short to moderate	May 20	September 26	1403
#111	Rugby North Dakota, U.S.	129 Short to moderate	May 17	September 23	1732
#112	Rock Springs Wyoming, U.S.	129 Short to moderate	May 22	September 28	1841
#113	Sheridan Wyoming, U.S.	129 Short to moderate	May 18	September 24	1953
#114	Wasilla Alaska, U.S.	130 Short to moderate	May 16	September 23	700
#115	Saguenay Quebec, Canada	130 Short to moderate	May 20	September 27	955
#116	Forestville Quebec, Canada	130 Short to moderate	May 20	September 27	1061
#117	Grand Rapids Minnesota, U.S.	130 Short to moderate	May 17	September 24	1712
#118	Roseau Minnesota, U.S.	131 Short to moderate	May 16	September 24	1936
#119	Warroad Minnesota, U.S.	131 Short to moderate	May 16	September 24	1936
#120	Peterborough Ontario, Canada	131 Short to moderate	May 16	September 24	1946
#121	Whitefish Montana, U.S.	132 Short to moderate	May 16	September 25	893
#122	Portage la Prairie Manitoba, Canada	132 Short to moderate	May 19	September 28	1586
#123	Ironwood Michigan, U.S.	132 Short to moderate	May 19	September 28	1675
#124	Bemidji Minnesota, U.S.	132 Short to moderate	May 17	September 26	1856
#125	Bottineau North Dakota, U.S.	133 Short to moderate	May 15	September 25	1864
#126	Montrose Colorado, U.S.	134 Short to moderate	May 20	October 1	1372
#127	Sherbrooke Quebec, Canada	134 Short to moderate	May 19	September 30	1460
#128	Dryden Ontario, Canada	134 Short to moderate	May 17	September 28	2561
#129	Sioux Lookout Ontario, Canada	134 Short to moderate	May 17	September 28	2999
#130	Kentville Nova Scotia, Canada	135 Short to moderate	May 19	October 1	1311
#131	Miramichi New Brunswick, Canada	135 Short to moderate	May 23	October 5	1523
#132	Escanaba Michigan, U.S.	135 Short to moderate	May 19	October 1	1652
#133	Ashland Wisconsin, U.S.	135 Short to moderate	May 20	October 2	1675
#134	Rutland Vermont, U.S.	135 Short to moderate	May 15	September 27	1897
#135	Presque Isle Maine, U.S.	135 Short to moderate	May 14	September 26	1918
#136	Rexburg Idaho, U.S.	135 Short to moderate	May 12	September 24	2001
#137	Riverton Wyoming, U.S.	135 Short to moderate	May 12	September 24	2057
#138	Medicine Hat Alberta, Canada	136 Short to moderate	May 12	September 25	589
#139	Winkler Manitoba, Canada	136 Short to moderate	May 15	September 28	1089
#140	Fredericton New Brunswick, Canada	136 Short to moderate	May 14	September 27	1140
#141	Moncton New Brunswick, Canada	136 Short to moderate	May 19	October 2	1474
#142	Morden Manitoba, Canada	136 Short to moderate	May 15	September 28	1497
#143	Sudbury Ontario, Canada	136 Short to moderate	May 18	October 1	1973
#144	Williston North Dakota, U.S.	136 Short to moderate	May 13	September 26	1990
#145	Valley City North Dakota, U.S.	136 Short to moderate	May 13	September 26	2077
#146	Elliot Lake Ontario, Canada	136 Short to moderate	May 18	October 1	2167
#147	Lewistown Montana, U.S.	137 Short to moderate	May 14	September 28	1172
#148	Houghton Michigan, U.S.	137 Short to moderate	May 17	October 1	1438
#149	Minot North Dakota, U.S.	137 Short to moderate	May 13	September 27	1590
#150	North Bay Ontario, Canada	137 Short to moderate	May 15	September 29	1932
#151	Thief River Falls Minnesota, U.S.	137 Short to moderate	May 14	September 28	1936
#152	Chibougamau Quebec, Canada	138 Short to moderate	May 17	October 2	758
#153	Saint-Hyacinthe Quebec, Canada	138 Short to moderate	May 12	September 27	955
#154	Shawinigan Quebec, Canada	138 Short to moderate	May 12	September 27	1527
#155	Superior Wisconsin, U.S.	138 Short to moderate	May 18	October 3	1666
#156	Repentigny Quebec, Canada	138 Short to moderate	May 12	September 27	1952
#157	Trois-Rivières Quebec, Canada	138 Short to moderate	May 12	September 27	1953
#158	Drummondville Quebec, Canada	138 Short to moderate	May 12	September 27	2091
#159	Newport Vermont, U.S.	139 Short to moderate	May 14	September 30	1269
#160	Berlin New Hampshire, U.S.	139 Short to moderate	May 14	September 30	1678
#161	Crookston Minnesota, U.S.	139 Short to moderate	May 11	September 27	1689
#162	Bismarck North Dakota, U.S.	139 Short to moderate	May 14	September 30	2002
#163	Sidney Montana, U.S.	139 Short to moderate	May 11	September 27	2354
#164	Pocatello Idaho, U.S.	139 Short to moderate	May 16	October 2	2382
#165	Millinocket Maine, U.S.	140 Moderate	May 13	September 30	1918
#166	Cheyenne Wyoming, U.S.	140 Moderate	May 14	October 1	1963
#167	Keene New Hampshire, U.S.	140 Moderate	May 14	October 1	2014
#168	Spruce Grove Alberta, Canada	141 Moderate	May 7	September 25	803
#169	St. Albert Alberta, Canada	141 Moderate	May 7	September 25	912
#170	Devils Lake North Dakota, U.S.	141 Moderate	May 12	September 30	1732
#171	Homer Alaska, U.S.	142 Moderate	May 10	September 29	324
#172	Barrie Ontario, Canada	142 Moderate	May 16	October 5	808
#173	Gander Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada	142 Moderate	May 31	October 20	1357
#174	Virginia Minnesota, U.S.	142 Moderate	May 12	October 1	1568
#175	Orillia Ontario, Canada	142 Moderate	May 16	October 5	1873
#176	Merrill Wisconsin, U.S.	142 Moderate	May 11	September 30	1914
#177	Loveland Colorado, U.S.	142 Moderate	May 12	October 1	2141
#178	Scottsbluff Nebraska, U.S.	142 Moderate	May 13	October 2	2559
#179	Hood River Oregon, U.S.	143 Moderate	May 13	October 3	1470
#180	St. John's Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada	143 Moderate	May 28	October 18	1579
#181	Sandpoint Idaho, U.S.	143 Moderate	May 8	September 28	1632
#182	St. Johnsbury Vermont, U.S.	143 Moderate	May 13	October 3	1694
#183	Wolf Point Montana, U.S.	143 Moderate	May 8	September 28	1802
#184	Spearfish South Dakota, U.S.	143 Moderate	May 12	October 2	2085
#185	Fargo North Dakota, U.S.	143 Moderate	May 10	September 30	2247
#186	Missoula Montana, U.S.	144 Moderate	May 10	October 1	1923
#187	Brainerd Minnesota, U.S.	144 Moderate	May 8	September 29	2030
#188	Grand Forks North Dakota, U.S.	144 Moderate	May 10	October 1	2035
#189	Billings Montana, U.S.	144 Moderate	May 10	October 1	2146
#190	Jamestown North Dakota, U.S.	144 Moderate	May 8	September 29	2197
#191	Aberdeen South Dakota, U.S.	144 Moderate	May 8	September 29	2236
#192	Kenora Ontario, Canada	145 Moderate	May 10	October 2	1911
#193	Ithaca New York, U.S.	145 Moderate	May 11	October 3	2071
#194	Miles City Montana, U.S.	145 Moderate	May 8	September 30	2082
#195	Massena New York, U.S.	146 Moderate	May 8	October 1	2075
#196	Watertown South Dakota, U.S.	146 Moderate	May 7	September 30	2201
#197	Rice Lake Wisconsin, U.S.	147 Moderate	May 8	October 2	1717
#198	Quebec City Quebec, Canada	148 Moderate	May 10	October 5	1403
#199	Great Falls Montana, U.S.	148 Moderate	May 6	October 1	1456
#200	Concord New Hampshire, U.S.	148 Moderate	May 8	October 3	1870
#201	La Grande Oregon, U.S.	148 Moderate	May 6	October 1	2127
#202	Brookings South Dakota, U.S.	148 Moderate	May 6	October 1	2212
#203	Twin Falls Idaho, U.S.	148 Moderate	May 9	October 4	2352
#204	Boise Idaho, U.S.	148 Moderate	May 17	October 12	3131
#205	Chatham-Kent Ontario, Canada	149 Moderate	May 10	October 6	873
#206	Guelph Ontario, Canada	150 Moderate	May 8	October 5	873
#207	Kitchener Ontario, Canada	150 Moderate	May 8	October 5	1063
#208	Cambridge Ontario, Canada	150 Moderate	May 8	October 5	1176
#209	Waterloo Ontario, Canada	150 Moderate	May 8	October 5	1946
#210	Stratford Ontario, Canada	150 Moderate	May 8	October 5	2005
#211	Anchorage Alaska, U.S.	151 Moderate	May 1	September 29	740
#212	Owen Sound Ontario, Canada	151 Moderate	May 12	October 10	808
#213	Sydney Nova Scotia, Canada	151 Moderate	May 22	October 20	1277
#214	Munising Michigan, U.S.	151 Moderate	May 16	October 14	1345
#215	Rimouski Quebec, Canada	151 Moderate	May 16	October 14	1371
#216	Duluth Minnesota, U.S.	151 Moderate	May 14	October 12	1539
#217	Malone New York, U.S.	151 Moderate	May 6	October 4	2034
#218	Wausau Wisconsin, U.S.	151 Moderate	May 6	October 4	2072
#219	Moorhead Minnesota, U.S.	151 Moderate	May 4	October 2	2299
#220	Longmont Colorado, U.S.	151 Moderate	May 7	October 5	2530
#221	Plattsburgh New York, U.S.	152 Moderate	May 6	October 5	2095
#222	Boulder Colorado, U.S.	152 Moderate	May 6	October 5	2540
#223	Yakima Washington, U.S.	152 Moderate	May 5	October 4	2933
#224	Bangor Maine, U.S.	153 Moderate	May 4	October 4	2035
#225	Charlottetown Prince Edward Island, Canada	154 Moderate	May 17	October 18	1503
#226	Summerside Prince Edward Island, Canada	154 Moderate	May 17	October 18	1505
#227	Owatonna Minnesota, U.S.	154 Moderate	May 5	October 6	2448
#228	Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu Quebec, Canada	155 Moderate	May 6	October 8	1360
#229	Sault Ste. Marie Michigan, U.S.	155 Moderate	May 9	October 11	1962
#230	Granby Quebec, Canada	155 Moderate	May 6	October 8	1977
#231	Appleton Wisconsin, U.S.	155 Moderate	May 4	October 6	2355
#232	Moscow Idaho, U.S.	156 Moderate	April 29	October 2	1501
#233	Grafton North Dakota, U.S.	156 Moderate	May 4	October 7	1697
#234	Stevens Point Wisconsin, U.S.	156 Moderate	May 4	October 7	2096
#235	Fort Collins Colorado, U.S.	156 Moderate	May 3	October 6	2548
#236	Norfolk Nebraska, U.S.	156 Moderate	May 1	October 4	2739
#237	Montpelier Vermont, U.S.	157 Moderate	May 5	October 9	1768
#238	St. Cloud Minnesota, U.S.	157 Moderate	May 3	October 7	2145
#239	Portsmouth New Hampshire, U.S.	157 Moderate	May 4	October 8	2225
#240	Grand Rapids Michigan, U.S.	157 Moderate	May 6	October 10	2540
#241	Decorah Iowa, U.S.	157 Moderate	May 3	October 7	2876
#242	Rapid City South Dakota, U.S.	158 Moderate	May 3	October 8	2402
#243	Ann Arbor Michigan, U.S.	158 Moderate	May 5	October 10	2483
#244	Colorado Springs Colorado, U.S.	158 Moderate	May 3	October 8	2502
#245	Springfield Massachusetts, U.S.	158 Moderate	May 3	October 8	2638
#246	Sioux Falls South Dakota, U.S.	158 Moderate	May 1	October 6	2793
#247	Ottawa Ontario, Canada	159 Moderate	April 30	October 6	2170
#248	Gatineau Quebec, Canada	159 Moderate	April 30	October 6	2170
#249	Alexandria Minnesota, U.S.	159 Moderate	May 2	October 8	2188
#250	Traverse City Michigan, U.S.	159 Moderate	May 9	October 15	2258
#251	Rochester Minnesota, U.S.	159 Moderate	April 30	October 6	2324
#252	Battle Creek Michigan, U.S.	159 Moderate	May 6	October 12	2498
#253	Greeley Colorado, U.S.	159 Moderate	May 2	October 8	2981
#254	Willmar Minnesota, U.S.	160 Moderate	April 30	October 7	2231
#255	North Platte Nebraska, U.S.	160 Moderate	May 3	October 10	2681
#256	Salmon Arm British Columbia, Canada	161 Moderate	April 28	October 6	689
#257	Niagara Falls Ontario, Canada	161 Moderate	May 6	October 14	1275
#258	Penticton British Columbia, Canada	161 Moderate	April 30	October 8	1396
#259	Welland Ontario, Canada	161 Moderate	May 6	October 14	1709
#260	Kelowna British Columbia, Canada	161 Moderate	April 30	October 8	1748
#261	Vernon British Columbia, Canada	161 Moderate	April 28	October 6	1935
#262	St. Catharines Ontario, Canada	161 Moderate	May 6	October 14	1973
#263	Mason City Iowa, U.S.	161 Moderate	April 29	October 7	2451
#264	Madison Wisconsin, U.S.	161 Moderate	May 1	October 9	2461
#265	Sioux City Iowa, U.S.	161 Moderate	April 29	October 7	2840
#266	Belleville Ontario, Canada	162 Moderate	May 1	October 10	1873
#267	Nashua New Hampshire, U.S.	162 Moderate	April 29	October 8	1931
#268	Binghamton New York, U.S.	162 Moderate	May 2	October 11	2078
#269	Green Bay Wisconsin, U.S.	162 Moderate	April 30	October 9	2267
#270	Cornwall Ontario, Canada	162 Moderate	April 28	October 7	2372
#271	Mankato Minnesota, U.S.	162 Moderate	April 30	October 9	2472
#272	Sterling Colorado, U.S.	162 Moderate	April 30	October 9	3027
#273	Vaughan Ontario, Canada	163 Moderate	May 3	October 13	1063
#274	Newmarket Ontario, Canada	163 Moderate	May 3	October 13	1714
#275	Pickering Ontario, Canada	163 Moderate	May 3	October 13	1724
#276	Richmond Hill Ontario, Canada	163 Moderate	May 3	October 13	2274
#277	Flint Michigan, U.S.	163 Moderate	May 3	October 13	2371
#278	Aurora Ontario, Canada	163 Moderate	May 3	October 13	2396
#279	Markham Ontario, Canada	163 Moderate	May 3	October 13	2561
#280	Lowell Massachusetts, U.S.	163 Moderate	April 30	October 10	2703
#281	Iowa City Iowa, U.S.	163 Moderate	April 29	October 9	2756
#282	Kearney Nebraska, U.S.	163 Moderate	April 30	October 10	2904
#283	Juneau Alaska, U.S.	164 Moderate	May 3	October 14	678
#284	Manchester New Hampshire, U.S.	164 Moderate	April 30	October 11	2113
#285	Burlington Ontario, Canada	164 Moderate	May 1	October 12	2134
#286	Hamilton Ontario, Canada	164 Moderate	May 1	October 12	2181
#287	Milton Ontario, Canada	164 Moderate	May 1	October 12	2260
#288	Brantford Ontario, Canada	164 Moderate	May 1	October 12	2274
#289	Watertown New York, U.S.	164 Moderate	May 2	October 13	2364
#290	Oakville Ontario, Canada	164 Moderate	May 1	October 12	2396
#291	Moses Lake Washington, U.S.	164 Moderate	April 27	October 8	2605
#292	Lansing Michigan, U.S.	165 Moderate	May 1	October 13	2498
#293	Ames Iowa, U.S.	165 Moderate	April 26	October 8	2822
#294	Denver Colorado, U.S.	165 Moderate	April 30	October 12	3106
#295	Woodstock Ontario, Canada	166 Moderate	May 3	October 16	1352
#296	Marquette Michigan, U.S.	166 Moderate	May 8	October 21	1607
#297	London Ontario, Canada	166 Moderate	May 3	October 16	1873
#298	Jackson Michigan, U.S.	166 Moderate	May 1	October 14	2559
#299	Waterloo Iowa, U.S.	166 Moderate	April 27	October 10	2999
#300	Cedar Rapids Iowa, U.S.	167 Moderate	April 28	October 12	2756
#301	Nampa Idaho, U.S.	167 Moderate	April 29	October 13	2819
#302	Whitby Ontario, Canada	168 Moderate	April 30	October 15	730
#303	Montreal Quebec, Canada	168 Moderate	April 29	October 14	1403
#304	Olympia Washington, U.S.	168 Moderate	April 29	October 14	1612
#305	Oshawa Ontario, Canada	168 Moderate	April 30	October 15	1873
#306	Terrebonne Quebec, Canada	168 Moderate	April 29	October 14	1896
#307	Nelson British Columbia, Canada	168 Moderate	April 28	October 13	2570
#308	Campbell River British Columbia, Canada	169 Moderate	April 27	October 13	1394
#309	Spokane Washington, U.S.	169 Moderate	April 26	October 12	2296
#310	Burlington Vermont, U.S.	169 Moderate	April 29	October 15	2316
#311	La Crosse Wisconsin, U.S.	169 Moderate	April 27	October 13	2357
#312	Kamloops British Columbia, Canada	170 Longer season	April 25	October 12	679
#313	100 Mile House British Columbia, Canada	170 Longer season	April 25	October 12	819
#314	Kingston Ontario, Canada	170 Longer season	April 27	October 14	1352
#315	Pendleton Oregon, U.S.	170 Longer season	April 22	October 9	2681
#316	Pueblo Colorado, U.S.	170 Longer season	April 26	October 13	3257
#317	Albany New York, U.S.	171 Longer season	April 27	October 15	2728
#318	Augusta Maine, U.S.	172 Longer season	April 27	October 16	2159
#319	Portland Maine, U.S.	172 Longer season	April 26	October 15	2199
#320	Sheboygan Wisconsin, U.S.	172 Longer season	May 2	October 21	2409
#321	Janesville Wisconsin, U.S.	172 Longer season	April 26	October 15	2557
#322	Muskegon Michigan, U.S.	172 Longer season	April 30	October 19	2559
#323	Lincoln Nebraska, U.S.	172 Longer season	April 24	October 13	3499
#324	Manitowoc Wisconsin, U.S.	173 Longer season	April 30	October 20	1827
#325	Eau Claire Wisconsin, U.S.	173 Longer season	April 24	October 14	2339
#326	Kalamazoo Michigan, U.S.	173 Longer season	April 28	October 18	2512
#327	Syracuse New York, U.S.	173 Longer season	April 29	October 19	2536
#328	Hays Kansas, U.S.	173 Longer season	April 25	October 15	3900
#329	Terrace British Columbia, Canada	175 Longer season	April 25	October 17	1748
#330	Vancouver Washington, U.S.	175 Longer season	April 26	October 18	1791
#331	Saginaw Michigan, U.S.	175 Longer season	April 29	October 21	2407
#332	Saint Paul Minnesota, U.S.	175 Longer season	April 24	October 16	2771
#333	Lafayette Indiana, U.S.	175 Longer season	April 26	October 18	3048
#334	Grand Island Nebraska, U.S.	175 Longer season	April 23	October 15	3314
#335	Toronto Ontario, Canada	176 Longer season	April 27	October 20	1634
#336	Mississauga Ontario, Canada	176 Longer season	April 27	October 20	2274
#337	Holland Michigan, U.S.	176 Longer season	April 28	October 21	2350
#338	Minneapolis Minnesota, U.S.	176 Longer season	April 23	October 16	2643
#339	Rockford Illinois, U.S.	176 Longer season	April 24	October 17	2888
#340	Lewiston Maine, U.S.	177 Longer season	April 25	October 19	2078
#341	Hastings Nebraska, U.S.	177 Longer season	April 22	October 16	3300
#342	Yarmouth Nova Scotia, Canada	179 Longer season	April 28	October 24	1311
#343	Coeur d'Alene Idaho, U.S.	179 Longer season	April 22	October 18	2090
#344	Oshkosh Wisconsin, U.S.	179 Longer season	April 24	October 20	2355
#345	Milwaukee Wisconsin, U.S.	179 Longer season	April 26	October 22	2623
#346	Lawrence Kansas, U.S.	179 Longer season	April 21	October 17	3863
#347	Scranton Pennsylvania, U.S.	180 Longer season	April 23	October 20	2910
#348	Fort Wayne Indiana, U.S.	180 Longer season	April 24	October 21	2976
#349	Leamington Ontario, Canada	181 Longer season	April 25	October 23	1946
#350	Worcester Massachusetts, U.S.	181 Longer season	April 23	October 21	2322
#351	Winona Minnesota, U.S.	181 Longer season	April 21	October 19	2867
#352	Kirksville Missouri, U.S.	181 Longer season	April 21	October 19	3182
#353	St. Joseph Missouri, U.S.	181 Longer season	April 19	October 17	3624
#354	Halifax Nova Scotia, Canada	182 Longer season	April 30	October 29	1579
#355	Bloomington Illinois, U.S.	182 Longer season	April 21	October 20	3129
#356	South Bend Indiana, U.S.	183 Longer season	April 23	October 23	2821
#357	Rochester New York, U.S.	184 Longer season	April 24	October 25	2488
#358	Indianapolis Indiana, U.S.	184 Longer season	April 20	October 21	3477
#359	Buffalo New York, U.S.	185 Longer season	April 24	October 26	2534
#360	Dubuque Iowa, U.S.	185 Longer season	April 19	October 21	2551
#361	Des Moines Iowa, U.S.	185 Longer season	April 18	October 20	3044
#362	Pittsburgh Pennsylvania, U.S.	186 Longer season	April 24	October 27	3043
#363	Davenport Iowa, U.S.	186 Longer season	April 19	October 22	3095
#364	Council Bluffs Iowa, U.S.	186 Longer season	April 18	October 21	3565
#365	Omaha Nebraska, U.S.	186 Longer season	April 18	October 21	3565
#366	Manhattan Kansas, U.S.	186 Longer season	April 16	October 19	3917
#367	Racine Wisconsin, U.S.	187 Longer season	April 20	October 24	2271
#368	Akron Ohio, U.S.	187 Longer season	April 24	October 28	2560
#369	Allentown Pennsylvania, U.S.	187 Longer season	April 20	October 24	2890
#370	Columbus Ohio, U.S.	187 Longer season	April 20	October 24	3258
#371	Terre Haute Indiana, U.S.	187 Longer season	April 15	October 19	3955
#372	Lancaster Pennsylvania, U.S.	188 Longer season	April 19	October 24	2830
#373	Salina Kansas, U.S.	188 Longer season	April 18	October 23	4056
#374	Topeka Kansas, U.S.	189 Longer season	April 16	October 22	3807
#375	Kenosha Wisconsin, U.S.	190 Longer season	April 19	October 26	2458
#376	Toledo Ohio, U.S.	190 Longer season	April 20	October 27	3089
#377	Springfield Illinois, U.S.	190 Longer season	April 15	October 22	3377
#378	Peoria Illinois, U.S.	190 Longer season	April 16	October 23	3449
#379	Dayton Ohio, U.S.	190 Longer season	April 18	October 25	3513
#380	Harrisburg Pennsylvania, U.S.	191 Longer season	April 15	October 23	3042
#381	Emporia Kansas, U.S.	191 Longer season	April 15	October 23	3540
#382	Whistler British Columbia, Canada	192 Longer season	April 19	October 28	775
#383	Erie Pennsylvania, U.S.	192 Longer season	April 26	November 4	2849
#384	Champaign Illinois, U.S.	192 Longer season	April 15	October 24	3358
#385	Cincinnati Ohio, U.S.	192 Longer season	April 16	October 25	3536
#386	Grand Junction Colorado, U.S.	192 Longer season	April 14	October 23	3744
#387	Detroit Michigan, U.S.	193 Longer season	April 21	October 31	2718
#388	Decatur Illinois, U.S.	193 Longer season	April 14	October 24	3523
#389	Albany Oregon, U.S.	194 Longer season	April 17	October 28	2139
#390	Corvallis Oregon, U.S.	194 Longer season	April 17	October 28	2139
#391	Bloomington Indiana, U.S.	194 Longer season	April 15	October 26	3435
#392	Eugene Oregon, U.S.	195 Longer season	April 11	October 23	2145
#393	Carbondale Illinois, U.S.	196 Longer season	April 9	October 22	3906
#394	Windsor Ontario, Canada	198 Longer season	April 17	November 1	2274
#395	Jefferson City Missouri, U.S.	199 Longer season	April 10	October 26	3981
#396	Wichita Kansas, U.S.	201 Longer season	April 11	October 29	4228
#397	Surrey British Columbia, Canada	202 Longer season	April 11	October 30	1809
#398	Lewiston Idaho, U.S.	203 Longer season	April 6	October 26	2566
#399	Medford Oregon, U.S.	204 Longer season	April 8	October 29	3173
#400	Quincy Illinois, U.S.	205 Longer season	April 8	October 30	3634
#401	Springfield Missouri, U.S.	206 Longer season	April 4	October 27	3923
#402	Wenatchee Washington, U.S.	207 Longer season	April 4	October 28	3074
#403	Columbia Missouri, U.S.	209 Longer season	April 5	October 31	4005
#404	Salem Oregon, U.S.	212 Longer season	April 3	November 1	2411
#405	Kansas City Missouri, U.S.	212 Longer season	April 4	November 2	4271
#406	Victoria British Columbia, Canada	214 Longer season	April 4	November 4	689
#407	Bellingham Washington, U.S.	215 Longer season	April 1	November 2	1755
#408	St. Louis Missouri, U.S.	217 Longer season	April 1	November 4	4424
#409	Abbotsford British Columbia, Canada	218 Longer season	April 3	November 7	689
#410	Chilliwack British Columbia, Canada	218 Longer season	April 3	November 7	1610
#411	Walla Walla Washington, U.S.	218 Longer season	March 27	October 31	2472
#412	Cleveland Ohio, U.S.	218 Longer season	April 8	November 12	3134
#413	Courtenay British Columbia, Canada	219 Longer season	April 1	November 6	963
#414	Powell River British Columbia, Canada	219 Longer season	April 1	November 6	1396
#415	Port Alberni British Columbia, Canada	219 Longer season	April 1	November 6	1938
#416	Boston Massachusetts, U.S.	219 Longer season	April 4	November 9	2875
#417	Everett Washington, U.S.	223 Longer season	March 24	November 2	1864
#418	Mount Vernon Washington, U.S.	224 Longer season	March 24	November 3	1647
#419	Evansville Indiana, U.S.	226 Longer season	March 29	November 10	4578
#420	Bremerton Washington, U.S.	230 Longer season	March 29	November 14	1946
#421	Burnaby British Columbia, Canada	236 Longer season	March 19	November 10	904
#422	Nanaimo British Columbia, Canada	236 Longer season	March 19	November 10	1077
#423	Vancouver British Columbia, Canada	236 Longer season	March 19	November 10	1938
#424	Roseburg Oregon, U.S.	246 Longer season	March 19	November 20	2972
#425	Seattle Washington, U.S.	249 Longer season	March 13	November 17	2265
#426	Tacoma Washington, U.S.	251 Longer season	March 8	November 14	1797
#427	Port Angeles Washington, U.S.	252 Longer season	March 12	November 19	1289
#428	Portland Oregon, U.S.	279 Longer season	February 25	December 1	2554

What this ranking means

A shorter frost-free season does not automatically mean a bad gardening city. It means gardeners should pay closer attention to crop selection, variety speed, indoor starts, warm microclimates, and frost protection.

Sources and methodology

Official source context for this ranking

This ranking is a GrowByDate interpretation of frost, seasonal heat, crop margin, and timing signals. These links show the official source concepts behind the derived metrics.

NOAA/NCEI U.S. Climate Normals — U.S. climate-normal context for frost/freeze probabilities, season length, and growing degree day statistics.
Environment and Climate Change Canada Climate Normals — Canadian climate-normal context for frost-free period, frost probabilities, and degree-day elements.
NOAA Climate Prediction Center degree day resources — degree-day terminology and reference material.
GrowByDate data methodology — how source references are turned into garden-planning signals.

These links support the reference concepts behind the page. GrowByDate values are planning averages, not live forecasts or guarantees for a specific garden bed.

Methodology

Cities are ranked by frost-free days between the typical last spring frost and first fall frost. Ties use base-50°F GDD as a secondary signal where available.

A short frost-free window does not mean gardening is impossible. It means crop choice, variety speed, warm microclimates, and season extension matter more.

Download: shortest growing seasons JSON.