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 Canmore 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	GDD remaining May 1
#1	Canmore Alberta, Canada	65 Very short	06-19	08-23	503
#2	Banff Alberta, Canada	65 Very short	06-19	08-23	503
#3	Hay River Northwest Territories, Canada	65 Very short	06-20	08-24	725
#4	Jackson Wyoming, U.S.	72 Very short	06-20	08-31	856
#5	Rocky Mountain House Alberta, Canada	73 Very short	06-13	08-25	589
#6	Thompson Manitoba, Canada	75 Very short	06-14	08-28	795
#7	La Ronge Saskatchewan, Canada	79 Very short	06-15	09-02	963
#8	Soldotna Alaska, U.S.	82 Very short	06-11	09-01	391
#9	Butte Montana, U.S.	84 Very short	06-13	09-05	1057
#10	Whitehorse Yukon, Canada	86 Very short	06-03	08-28	495
#11	Hinton Alberta, Canada	92 Short	06-04	09-04	679
#12	Edson Alberta, Canada	92 Short	06-04	09-04	679
#13	Timmins Ontario, Canada	92 Short	06-07	09-07	1239
#14	Hibbing Minnesota, U.S.	95 Short	06-05	09-08	1185
#15	Meadow Lake Saskatchewan, Canada	97 Short	05-30	09-04	901
#16	Sept-Îles Quebec, Canada	98 Short	06-07	09-13	579
#17	Iron River Michigan, U.S.	98 Short	06-04	09-10	1560
#18	Kenai Alaska, U.S.	99 Short	06-01	09-08	391
#19	High Level Alberta, Canada	99 Short	05-30	09-06	860
#20	Fort Vermilion Alberta, Canada	99 Short	05-30	09-06	860
#21	Saranac Lake New York, U.S.	99 Short	06-02	09-09	2312
#22	Fort McMurray Alberta, Canada	101 Short	05-29	09-07	832
#23	Helena Montana, U.S.	102 Short	06-04	09-14	1029
#24	Swan River Manitoba, Canada	102 Short	06-03	09-13	1089
#25	Corner Brook Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada	102 Short	06-10	09-20	1163
#26	Kalispell Montana, U.S.	102 Short	05-31	09-10	1465
#27	Kindersley Saskatchewan, Canada	103 Short	05-30	09-10	1421
#28	Revelstoke British Columbia, Canada	103 Short	05-31	09-11	1821
#29	Matagami Quebec, Canada	104 Short	06-18	09-30	863
#30	New Glasgow Nova Scotia, Canada	104 Short	06-10	09-22	1579
#31	Moosonee Ontario, Canada	105 Short	06-04	09-17	808
#32	Kapuskasing Ontario, Canada	105 Short	06-04	09-17	1034
#33	Cochrane Ontario, Canada	105 Short	06-04	09-17	1239
#34	Laramie Wyoming, U.S.	105 Short	06-02	09-15	1489
#35	Edmonton Alberta, Canada	106 Short	05-27	09-10	896
#36	Leduc Alberta, Canada	106 Short	05-27	09-10	896
#37	Bend Oregon, U.S.	106 Short	06-06	09-20	1560
#38	Prince George British Columbia, Canada	108 Short	05-22	09-07	696
#39	Amos Quebec, Canada	108 Short	05-31	09-16	967
#40	Thunder Bay Ontario, Canada	108 Short	05-31	09-16	1084
#41	Val-d'Or Quebec, Canada	108 Short	05-31	09-16	1099
#42	Ashland Oregon, U.S.	108 Short	06-08	09-24	2165
#43	North Battleford Saskatchewan, Canada	110 Short	05-26	09-13	1117
#44	Alamosa Colorado, U.S.	110 Short	05-30	09-17	1434
#45	International Falls Minnesota, U.S.	111 Short	05-28	09-16	1341
#46	Grande Prairie Alberta, Canada	112 Short	05-21	09-10	912
#47	Chapleau Ontario, Canada	112 Short	05-29	09-18	1063
#48	Red Deer Alberta, Canada	113 Short	05-22	09-12	833
#49	Lacombe Alberta, Canada	113 Short	05-22	09-12	833
#50	Slave Lake Alberta, Canada	113 Short	05-26	09-16	843
#51	Mackenzie British Columbia, Canada	114 Short	05-26	09-17	775
#52	Smithers British Columbia, Canada	114 Short	05-26	09-17	904
#53	Prince Albert Saskatchewan, Canada	114 Short	05-24	09-15	1110
#54	Cut Bank Montana, U.S.	114 Short	05-24	09-15	1287
#55	Regina Saskatchewan, Canada	114 Short	05-23	09-14	1498
#56	Baie-Comeau Quebec, Canada	115 Short to moderate	05-29	09-21	758
#57	Peace River Alberta, Canada	115 Short to moderate	05-21	09-13	795
#58	Melfort Saskatchewan, Canada	115 Short to moderate	05-23	09-15	1112
#59	Williams Lake British Columbia, Canada	116 Short to moderate	05-21	09-14	798
#60	Truro Nova Scotia, Canada	116 Short to moderate	06-01	09-25	1339
#61	Palmer Alaska, U.S.	117 Short to moderate	05-22	09-16	700
#62	Wetaskiwin Alberta, Canada	117 Short to moderate	05-20	09-14	869
#63	Camrose Alberta, Canada	117 Short to moderate	05-20	09-14	937
#64	Edmundston New Brunswick, Canada	117 Short to moderate	05-21	09-15	1184
#65	Littleton New Hampshire, U.S.	117 Short to moderate	05-24	09-18	1694
#66	Whitecourt Alberta, Canada	118 Short to moderate	05-20	09-15	952
#67	Humboldt Saskatchewan, Canada	119 Short to moderate	05-19	09-15	1112
#68	Lethbridge Alberta, Canada	119 Short to moderate	05-21	09-17	1339
#69	Saskatoon Saskatchewan, Canada	119 Short to moderate	05-19	09-15	1490
#70	Bozeman Montana, U.S.	119 Short to moderate	05-26	09-22	1532
#71	Casper Wyoming, U.S.	119 Short to moderate	05-26	09-22	1970
#72	Yellowknife Northwest Territories, Canada	120 Short to moderate	05-24	09-21	681
#73	Okotoks Alberta, Canada	120 Short to moderate	05-21	09-18	867
#74	Calgary Alberta, Canada	120 Short to moderate	05-21	09-18	907
#75	Airdrie Alberta, Canada	120 Short to moderate	05-21	09-18	971
#76	Cochrane Alberta, Canada	120 Short to moderate	05-21	09-18	971
#77	Cold Lake Alberta, Canada	120 Short to moderate	05-19	09-16	1020
#78	Quesnel British Columbia, Canada	120 Short to moderate	05-22	09-19	1099
#79	Idaho Falls Idaho, U.S.	120 Short to moderate	05-23	09-20	2001
#80	Cody Wyoming, U.S.	121 Short to moderate	05-27	09-25	750
#81	The Pas Manitoba, Canada	121 Short to moderate	05-24	09-22	1129
#82	Yorkton Saskatchewan, Canada	121 Short to moderate	05-20	09-18	1227
#83	Fort Nelson British Columbia, Canada	122 Short to moderate	05-15	09-14	963
#84	Lloydminster Alberta, Canada	122 Short to moderate	05-18	09-17	1028
#85	Dauphin Manitoba, Canada	122 Short to moderate	05-21	09-20	1329
#86	Brooks Alberta, Canada	122 Short to moderate	05-22	09-21	1392
#87	Steinbach Manitoba, Canada	122 Short to moderate	05-23	09-22	1565
#88	Winnipeg Manitoba, Canada	122 Short to moderate	05-23	09-22	1639
#89	Selkirk Manitoba, Canada	122 Short to moderate	05-23	09-22	1671
#90	Hayward Wisconsin, U.S.	122 Short to moderate	05-23	09-22	1726
#91	Rouyn-Noranda Quebec, Canada	123 Short to moderate	05-25	09-25	1275
#92	Swift Current Saskatchewan, Canada	123 Short to moderate	05-19	09-19	1353
#93	Brandon Manitoba, Canada	123 Short to moderate	05-18	09-18	1391
#94	Estevan Saskatchewan, Canada	123 Short to moderate	05-17	09-17	1461
#95	Weyburn Saskatchewan, Canada	123 Short to moderate	05-17	09-17	1498
#96	Rhinelander Wisconsin, U.S.	123 Short to moderate	05-23	09-23	1540
#97	Wawa Ontario, Canada	124 Short to moderate	05-28	09-29	791
#98	Sault Ste. Marie Ontario, Canada	124 Short to moderate	05-28	09-29	1452
#99	Durango Colorado, U.S.	125 Short to moderate	05-28	09-30	382
#100	Red Lake Ontario, Canada	125 Short to moderate	05-25	09-27	1176
#101	Bridgewater Nova Scotia, Canada	125 Short to moderate	05-26	09-28	1639
#102	Dickinson North Dakota, U.S.	125 Short to moderate	05-20	09-22	1840
#103	Gillette Wyoming, U.S.	125 Short to moderate	05-21	09-23	2021
#104	Flin Flon Manitoba, Canada	126 Short to moderate	05-21	09-24	1135
#105	Fort St. John British Columbia, Canada	127 Short to moderate	05-12	09-16	867
#106	Houlton Maine, U.S.	127 Short to moderate	05-19	09-23	1918
#107	Cranbrook British Columbia, Canada	128 Short to moderate	05-18	09-23	1235
#108	Saint John New Brunswick, Canada	129 Short to moderate	05-21	09-27	1051
#109	Amherst Nova Scotia, Canada	129 Short to moderate	05-27	10-03	1241
#110	Bathurst New Brunswick, Canada	129 Short to moderate	05-20	09-26	1403
#111	Rugby North Dakota, U.S.	129 Short to moderate	05-17	09-23	1732
#112	Rock Springs Wyoming, U.S.	129 Short to moderate	05-22	09-28	1841
#113	Sheridan Wyoming, U.S.	129 Short to moderate	05-18	09-24	1953
#114	Wasilla Alaska, U.S.	130 Short to moderate	05-16	09-23	700
#115	Saguenay Quebec, Canada	130 Short to moderate	05-20	09-27	1216
#116	Forestville Quebec, Canada	130 Short to moderate	05-20	09-27	1371
#117	Grand Rapids Minnesota, U.S.	130 Short to moderate	05-17	09-24	1712
#118	Peterborough Ontario, Canada	131 Short to moderate	05-16	09-24	1929
#119	Roseau Minnesota, U.S.	131 Short to moderate	05-16	09-24	1936
#120	Warroad Minnesota, U.S.	131 Short to moderate	05-16	09-24	1936
#121	Whitefish Montana, U.S.	132 Short to moderate	05-16	09-25	893
#122	Portage la Prairie Manitoba, Canada	132 Short to moderate	05-19	09-28	1586
#123	Ironwood Michigan, U.S.	132 Short to moderate	05-19	09-28	1675
#124	Bemidji Minnesota, U.S.	132 Short to moderate	05-17	09-26	1856
#125	Bottineau North Dakota, U.S.	133 Short to moderate	05-15	09-25	1864
#126	Dryden Ontario, Canada	134 Short to moderate	05-17	09-28	1319
#127	Sioux Lookout Ontario, Canada	134 Short to moderate	05-17	09-28	1319
#128	Montrose Colorado, U.S.	134 Short to moderate	05-20	10-01	1372
#129	Sherbrooke Quebec, Canada	134 Short to moderate	05-19	09-30	1460
#130	Kentville Nova Scotia, Canada	135 Short to moderate	05-19	10-01	1545
#131	Escanaba Michigan, U.S.	135 Short to moderate	05-19	10-01	1652
#132	Ashland Wisconsin, U.S.	135 Short to moderate	05-20	10-02	1675
#133	Miramichi New Brunswick, Canada	135 Short to moderate	05-23	10-05	1754
#134	Rutland Vermont, U.S.	135 Short to moderate	05-15	09-27	1897
#135	Presque Isle Maine, U.S.	135 Short to moderate	05-14	09-26	1918
#136	Rexburg Idaho, U.S.	135 Short to moderate	05-12	09-24	2001
#137	Riverton Wyoming, U.S.	135 Short to moderate	05-12	09-24	2057
#138	Sudbury Ontario, Canada	136 Short to moderate	05-18	10-01	1415
#139	Moncton New Brunswick, Canada	136 Short to moderate	05-19	10-02	1474
#140	Elliot Lake Ontario, Canada	136 Short to moderate	05-18	10-01	1634
#141	Medicine Hat Alberta, Canada	136 Short to moderate	05-12	09-25	1752
#142	Winkler Manitoba, Canada	136 Short to moderate	05-15	09-28	1807
#143	Morden Manitoba, Canada	136 Short to moderate	05-15	09-28	1807
#144	Fredericton New Brunswick, Canada	136 Short to moderate	05-14	09-27	1807
#145	Williston North Dakota, U.S.	136 Short to moderate	05-13	09-26	1990
#146	Valley City North Dakota, U.S.	136 Short to moderate	05-13	09-26	2077
#147	Lewistown Montana, U.S.	137 Short to moderate	05-14	09-28	1172
#148	Houghton Michigan, U.S.	137 Short to moderate	05-17	10-01	1438
#149	Minot North Dakota, U.S.	137 Short to moderate	05-13	09-27	1590
#150	North Bay Ontario, Canada	137 Short to moderate	05-15	09-29	1617
#151	Thief River Falls Minnesota, U.S.	137 Short to moderate	05-14	09-28	1936
#152	Chibougamau Quebec, Canada	138 Short to moderate	05-17	10-02	787
#153	Shawinigan Quebec, Canada	138 Short to moderate	05-12	09-27	1492
#154	Superior Wisconsin, U.S.	138 Short to moderate	05-18	10-03	1666
#155	Repentigny Quebec, Canada	138 Short to moderate	05-12	09-27	1952
#156	Trois-Rivières Quebec, Canada	138 Short to moderate	05-12	09-27	1953
#157	Saint-Hyacinthe Quebec, Canada	138 Short to moderate	05-12	09-27	1978
#158	Drummondville Quebec, Canada	138 Short to moderate	05-12	09-27	2091
#159	Newport Vermont, U.S.	139 Short to moderate	05-14	09-30	1269
#160	Berlin New Hampshire, U.S.	139 Short to moderate	05-14	09-30	1678
#161	Crookston Minnesota, U.S.	139 Short to moderate	05-11	09-27	1689
#162	Bismarck North Dakota, U.S.	139 Short to moderate	05-14	09-30	2002
#163	Sidney Montana, U.S.	139 Short to moderate	05-11	09-27	2351
#164	Pocatello Idaho, U.S.	139 Short to moderate	05-16	10-02	2382
#165	Millinocket Maine, U.S.	140 Moderate	05-13	09-30	1918
#166	Cheyenne Wyoming, U.S.	140 Moderate	05-14	10-01	1963
#167	Keene New Hampshire, U.S.	140 Moderate	05-14	10-01	2014
#168	Spruce Grove Alberta, Canada	141 Moderate	05-07	09-25	923
#169	St. Albert Alberta, Canada	141 Moderate	05-07	09-25	923
#170	Devils Lake North Dakota, U.S.	141 Moderate	05-12	09-30	1732
#171	Homer Alaska, U.S.	142 Moderate	05-10	09-29	324
#172	Gander Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada	142 Moderate	05-31	10-20	916
#173	Virginia Minnesota, U.S.	142 Moderate	05-12	10-01	1568
#174	Barrie Ontario, Canada	142 Moderate	05-16	10-05	1835
#175	Merrill Wisconsin, U.S.	142 Moderate	05-11	09-30	1914
#176	Orillia Ontario, Canada	142 Moderate	05-16	10-05	1935
#177	Loveland Colorado, U.S.	142 Moderate	05-12	10-01	2141
#178	Scottsbluff Nebraska, U.S.	142 Moderate	05-13	10-02	2559
#179	St. John's Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada	143 Moderate	05-28	10-18	1066
#180	Hood River Oregon, U.S.	143 Moderate	05-13	10-03	1470
#181	Sandpoint Idaho, U.S.	143 Moderate	05-08	09-28	1632
#182	St. Johnsbury Vermont, U.S.	143 Moderate	05-13	10-03	1694
#183	Wolf Point Montana, U.S.	143 Moderate	05-08	09-28	1802
#184	Spearfish South Dakota, U.S.	143 Moderate	05-12	10-02	2085
#185	Fargo North Dakota, U.S.	143 Moderate	05-10	09-30	2247
#186	Missoula Montana, U.S.	144 Moderate	05-10	10-01	1923
#187	Brainerd Minnesota, U.S.	144 Moderate	05-08	09-29	2030
#188	Grand Forks North Dakota, U.S.	144 Moderate	05-10	10-01	2035
#189	Billings Montana, U.S.	144 Moderate	05-10	10-01	2146
#190	Jamestown North Dakota, U.S.	144 Moderate	05-08	09-29	2197
#191	Aberdeen South Dakota, U.S.	144 Moderate	05-08	09-29	2236
#192	Kenora Ontario, Canada	145 Moderate	05-10	10-02	1541
#193	Ithaca New York, U.S.	145 Moderate	05-11	10-03	2071
#194	Miles City Montana, U.S.	145 Moderate	05-08	09-30	2082
#195	Massena New York, U.S.	146 Moderate	05-08	10-01	2075
#196	Watertown South Dakota, U.S.	146 Moderate	05-07	09-30	2201
#197	Rice Lake Wisconsin, U.S.	147 Moderate	05-08	10-02	1717
#198	Great Falls Montana, U.S.	148 Moderate	05-06	10-01	1456
#199	Quebec City Quebec, Canada	148 Moderate	05-10	10-05	1798
#200	Concord New Hampshire, U.S.	148 Moderate	05-08	10-03	1870
#201	La Grande Oregon, U.S.	148 Moderate	05-06	10-01	2126
#202	Brookings South Dakota, U.S.	148 Moderate	05-06	10-01	2212
#203	Twin Falls Idaho, U.S.	148 Moderate	05-09	10-04	2351
#204	Boise Idaho, U.S.	148 Moderate	05-17	10-12	3089
#205	Chatham-Kent Ontario, Canada	149 Moderate	05-10	10-06	2495
#206	Stratford Ontario, Canada	150 Moderate	05-08	10-05	1767
#207	Waterloo Ontario, Canada	150 Moderate	05-08	10-05	1841
#208	Cambridge Ontario, Canada	150 Moderate	05-08	10-05	1841
#209	Kitchener Ontario, Canada	150 Moderate	05-08	10-05	1849
#210	Guelph Ontario, Canada	150 Moderate	05-08	10-05	1899
#211	Anchorage Alaska, U.S.	151 Moderate	05-01	09-29	740
#212	Sydney Nova Scotia, Canada	151 Moderate	05-22	10-20	1277
#213	Munising Michigan, U.S.	151 Moderate	05-16	10-14	1345
#214	Rimouski Quebec, Canada	151 Moderate	05-16	10-14	1371
#215	Duluth Minnesota, U.S.	151 Moderate	05-14	10-12	1539
#216	Owen Sound Ontario, Canada	151 Moderate	05-12	10-10	1695
#217	Malone New York, U.S.	151 Moderate	05-06	10-04	2034
#218	Wausau Wisconsin, U.S.	151 Moderate	05-06	10-04	2072
#219	Moorhead Minnesota, U.S.	151 Moderate	05-04	10-02	2299
#220	Longmont Colorado, U.S.	151 Moderate	05-07	10-05	2528
#221	Plattsburgh New York, U.S.	152 Moderate	05-06	10-05	2095
#222	Boulder Colorado, U.S.	152 Moderate	05-06	10-05	2535
#223	Yakima Washington, U.S.	152 Moderate	05-05	10-04	2854
#224	Bangor Maine, U.S.	153 Moderate	05-04	10-04	2035
#225	Charlottetown Prince Edward Island, Canada	154 Moderate	05-17	10-18	1503
#226	Summerside Prince Edward Island, Canada	154 Moderate	05-17	10-18	1505
#227	Owatonna Minnesota, U.S.	154 Moderate	05-05	10-06	2447
#228	Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu Quebec, Canada	155 Moderate	05-06	10-08	1360
#229	Sault Ste. Marie Michigan, U.S.	155 Moderate	05-09	10-11	1962
#230	Granby Quebec, Canada	155 Moderate	05-06	10-08	1977
#231	Appleton Wisconsin, U.S.	155 Moderate	05-04	10-06	2355
#232	Moscow Idaho, U.S.	156 Moderate	04-29	10-02	1501
#233	Grafton North Dakota, U.S.	156 Moderate	05-04	10-07	1697
#234	Stevens Point Wisconsin, U.S.	156 Moderate	05-04	10-07	2096
#235	Fort Collins Colorado, U.S.	156 Moderate	05-03	10-06	2540
#236	Norfolk Nebraska, U.S.	156 Moderate	05-01	10-04	2727
#237	Montpelier Vermont, U.S.	157 Moderate	05-05	10-09	1768
#238	St. Cloud Minnesota, U.S.	157 Moderate	05-03	10-07	2145
#239	Portsmouth New Hampshire, U.S.	157 Moderate	05-04	10-08	2223
#240	Grand Rapids Michigan, U.S.	157 Moderate	05-06	10-10	2532
#241	Decorah Iowa, U.S.	157 Moderate	05-03	10-07	2841
#242	Rapid City South Dakota, U.S.	158 Moderate	05-03	10-08	2402
#243	Ann Arbor Michigan, U.S.	158 Moderate	05-05	10-10	2478
#244	Colorado Springs Colorado, U.S.	158 Moderate	05-03	10-08	2500
#245	Springfield Massachusetts, U.S.	158 Moderate	05-03	10-08	2618
#246	Sioux Falls South Dakota, U.S.	158 Moderate	05-01	10-06	2782
#247	Gatineau Quebec, Canada	159 Moderate	04-30	10-06	2000
#248	Alexandria Minnesota, U.S.	159 Moderate	05-02	10-08	2188
#249	Ottawa Ontario, Canada	159 Moderate	04-30	10-06	2228
#250	Traverse City Michigan, U.S.	159 Moderate	05-09	10-15	2258
#251	Rochester Minnesota, U.S.	159 Moderate	04-30	10-06	2322
#252	Battle Creek Michigan, U.S.	159 Moderate	05-06	10-12	2494
#253	Greeley Colorado, U.S.	159 Moderate	05-02	10-08	2950
#254	Willmar Minnesota, U.S.	160 Moderate	04-30	10-07	2231
#255	North Platte Nebraska, U.S.	160 Moderate	05-03	10-10	2680
#256	Kelowna British Columbia, Canada	161 Moderate	04-30	10-08	1744
#257	Salmon Arm British Columbia, Canada	161 Moderate	04-28	10-06	1905
#258	Vernon British Columbia, Canada	161 Moderate	04-28	10-06	1923
#259	Penticton British Columbia, Canada	161 Moderate	04-30	10-08	2105
#260	Welland Ontario, Canada	161 Moderate	05-06	10-14	2184
#261	St. Catharines Ontario, Canada	161 Moderate	05-06	10-14	2319
#262	Mason City Iowa, U.S.	161 Moderate	04-29	10-07	2448
#263	Madison Wisconsin, U.S.	161 Moderate	05-01	10-09	2458
#264	Niagara Falls Ontario, Canada	161 Moderate	05-06	10-14	2714
#265	Sioux City Iowa, U.S.	161 Moderate	04-29	10-07	2828
#266	Nashua New Hampshire, U.S.	162 Moderate	04-29	10-08	1931
#267	Belleville Ontario, Canada	162 Moderate	05-01	10-10	2045
#268	Binghamton New York, U.S.	162 Moderate	05-02	10-11	2076
#269	Green Bay Wisconsin, U.S.	162 Moderate	04-30	10-09	2267
#270	Cornwall Ontario, Canada	162 Moderate	04-28	10-07	2368
#271	Mankato Minnesota, U.S.	162 Moderate	04-30	10-09	2467
#272	Sterling Colorado, U.S.	162 Moderate	04-30	10-09	3007
#273	Newmarket Ontario, Canada	163 Moderate	05-03	10-13	1714
#274	Pickering Ontario, Canada	163 Moderate	05-03	10-13	1724
#275	Vaughan Ontario, Canada	163 Moderate	05-03	10-13	2167
#276	Flint Michigan, U.S.	163 Moderate	05-03	10-13	2369
#277	Aurora Ontario, Canada	163 Moderate	05-03	10-13	2395
#278	Richmond Hill Ontario, Canada	163 Moderate	05-03	10-13	2553
#279	Markham Ontario, Canada	163 Moderate	05-03	10-13	2553
#280	Lowell Massachusetts, U.S.	163 Moderate	04-30	10-10	2682
#281	Iowa City Iowa, U.S.	163 Moderate	04-29	10-09	2730
#282	Kearney Nebraska, U.S.	163 Moderate	04-30	10-10	2889
#283	Juneau Alaska, U.S.	164 Moderate	05-03	10-14	678
#284	Hamilton Ontario, Canada	164 Moderate	05-01	10-12	2078
#285	Milton Ontario, Canada	164 Moderate	05-01	10-12	2078
#286	Manchester New Hampshire, U.S.	164 Moderate	04-30	10-11	2112
#287	Burlington Ontario, Canada	164 Moderate	05-01	10-12	2163
#288	Watertown New York, U.S.	164 Moderate	05-02	10-13	2362
#289	Brantford Ontario, Canada	164 Moderate	05-01	10-12	2375
#290	Oakville Ontario, Canada	164 Moderate	05-01	10-12	2395
#291	Moses Lake Washington, U.S.	164 Moderate	04-27	10-08	2564
#292	Lansing Michigan, U.S.	165 Moderate	05-01	10-13	2537
#293	Ames Iowa, U.S.	165 Moderate	04-26	10-08	2792
#294	Denver Colorado, U.S.	165 Moderate	04-30	10-12	3085
#295	Marquette Michigan, U.S.	166 Moderate	05-08	10-21	1607
#296	Woodstock Ontario, Canada	166 Moderate	05-03	10-16	1843
#297	London Ontario, Canada	166 Moderate	05-03	10-16	2133
#298	Jackson Michigan, U.S.	166 Moderate	05-01	10-14	2542
#299	Waterloo Iowa, U.S.	166 Moderate	04-27	10-10	2963
#300	Cedar Rapids Iowa, U.S.	167 Moderate	04-28	10-12	2730
#301	Nampa Idaho, U.S.	167 Moderate	04-29	10-13	2790
#302	Olympia Washington, U.S.	168 Moderate	04-29	10-14	1609
#303	Terrebonne Quebec, Canada	168 Moderate	04-29	10-14	1896
#304	Nelson British Columbia, Canada	168 Moderate	04-28	10-13	1917
#305	Oshawa Ontario, Canada	168 Moderate	04-30	10-15	2005
#306	Montreal Quebec, Canada	168 Moderate	04-29	10-14	2118
#307	Whitby Ontario, Canada	168 Moderate	04-30	10-15	2250
#308	Campbell River British Columbia, Canada	169 Moderate	04-27	10-13	1393
#309	Spokane Washington, U.S.	169 Moderate	04-26	10-12	2287
#310	Burlington Vermont, U.S.	169 Moderate	04-29	10-15	2312
#311	La Crosse Wisconsin, U.S.	169 Moderate	04-27	10-13	2352
#312	100 Mile House British Columbia, Canada	170 Longer season	04-25	10-12	819
#313	Kingston Ontario, Canada	170 Longer season	04-27	10-14	1878
#314	Kamloops British Columbia, Canada	170 Longer season	04-25	10-12	2061
#315	Pendleton Oregon, U.S.	170 Longer season	04-22	10-09	2630
#316	Pueblo Colorado, U.S.	170 Longer season	04-26	10-13	3218
#317	Albany New York, U.S.	171 Longer season	04-27	10-15	2704
#318	Augusta Maine, U.S.	172 Longer season	04-27	10-16	2159
#319	Portland Maine, U.S.	172 Longer season	04-26	10-15	2199
#320	Sheboygan Wisconsin, U.S.	172 Longer season	05-02	10-21	2409
#321	Janesville Wisconsin, U.S.	172 Longer season	04-26	10-15	2548
#322	Muskegon Michigan, U.S.	172 Longer season	04-30	10-19	2549
#323	Lincoln Nebraska, U.S.	172 Longer season	04-24	10-13	3427
#324	Manitowoc Wisconsin, U.S.	173 Longer season	04-30	10-20	1827
#325	Eau Claire Wisconsin, U.S.	173 Longer season	04-24	10-14	2337
#326	Kalamazoo Michigan, U.S.	173 Longer season	04-28	10-18	2507
#327	Syracuse New York, U.S.	173 Longer season	04-29	10-19	2526
#328	Hays Kansas, U.S.	173 Longer season	04-25	10-15	3799
#329	Terrace British Columbia, Canada	175 Longer season	04-25	10-17	992
#330	Vancouver Washington, U.S.	175 Longer season	04-26	10-18	1784
#331	Saginaw Michigan, U.S.	175 Longer season	04-29	10-21	2403
#332	Saint Paul Minnesota, U.S.	175 Longer season	04-24	10-16	2757
#333	Lafayette Indiana, U.S.	175 Longer season	04-26	10-18	2990
#334	Grand Island Nebraska, U.S.	175 Longer season	04-23	10-15	3265
#335	Toronto Ontario, Canada	176 Longer season	04-27	10-20	2167
#336	Mississauga Ontario, Canada	176 Longer season	04-27	10-20	2167
#337	Holland Michigan, U.S.	176 Longer season	04-28	10-21	2346
#338	Minneapolis Minnesota, U.S.	176 Longer season	04-23	10-16	2635
#339	Rockford Illinois, U.S.	176 Longer season	04-24	10-17	2859
#340	Lewiston Maine, U.S.	177 Longer season	04-25	10-19	2078
#341	Hastings Nebraska, U.S.	177 Longer season	04-22	10-16	3252
#342	Yarmouth Nova Scotia, Canada	179 Longer season	04-28	10-24	1554
#343	Coeur d'Alene Idaho, U.S.	179 Longer season	04-22	10-18	2089
#344	Oshkosh Wisconsin, U.S.	179 Longer season	04-24	10-20	2355
#345	Milwaukee Wisconsin, U.S.	179 Longer season	04-26	10-22	2618
#346	Lawrence Kansas, U.S.	179 Longer season	04-21	10-17	3735
#347	Scranton Pennsylvania, U.S.	180 Longer season	04-23	10-20	2858
#348	Fort Wayne Indiana, U.S.	180 Longer season	04-24	10-21	2930
#349	Worcester Massachusetts, U.S.	181 Longer season	04-23	10-21	2315
#350	Leamington Ontario, Canada	181 Longer season	04-25	10-23	2659
#351	Winona Minnesota, U.S.	181 Longer season	04-21	10-19	2845
#352	Kirksville Missouri, U.S.	181 Longer season	04-21	10-19	3128
#353	St. Joseph Missouri, U.S.	181 Longer season	04-19	10-17	3507
#354	Halifax Nova Scotia, Canada	182 Longer season	04-30	10-29	1549
#355	Bloomington Illinois, U.S.	182 Longer season	04-21	10-20	3080
#356	South Bend Indiana, U.S.	183 Longer season	04-23	10-23	2802
#357	Rochester New York, U.S.	184 Longer season	04-24	10-25	2485
#358	Indianapolis Indiana, U.S.	184 Longer season	04-20	10-21	3365
#359	Buffalo New York, U.S.	185 Longer season	04-24	10-26	2529
#360	Dubuque Iowa, U.S.	185 Longer season	04-19	10-21	2539
#361	Des Moines Iowa, U.S.	185 Longer season	04-18	10-20	3009
#362	Pittsburgh Pennsylvania, U.S.	186 Longer season	04-24	10-27	2960
#363	Davenport Iowa, U.S.	186 Longer season	04-19	10-22	3046
#364	Omaha Nebraska, U.S.	186 Longer season	04-18	10-21	3479
#365	Council Bluffs Iowa, U.S.	186 Longer season	04-18	10-21	3479
#366	Manhattan Kansas, U.S.	186 Longer season	04-16	10-19	3787
#367	Racine Wisconsin, U.S.	187 Longer season	04-20	10-24	2271
#368	Akron Ohio, U.S.	187 Longer season	04-24	10-28	2538
#369	Allentown Pennsylvania, U.S.	187 Longer season	04-20	10-24	2841
#370	Columbus Ohio, U.S.	187 Longer season	04-20	10-24	3171
#371	Terre Haute Indiana, U.S.	187 Longer season	04-15	10-19	3769
#372	Lancaster Pennsylvania, U.S.	188 Longer season	04-19	10-24	2786
#373	Salina Kansas, U.S.	188 Longer season	04-18	10-23	3917
#374	Topeka Kansas, U.S.	189 Longer season	04-16	10-22	3665
#375	Kenosha Wisconsin, U.S.	190 Longer season	04-19	10-26	2458
#376	Toledo Ohio, U.S.	190 Longer season	04-20	10-27	3050
#377	Springfield Illinois, U.S.	190 Longer season	04-15	10-22	3283
#378	Peoria Illinois, U.S.	190 Longer season	04-16	10-23	3353
#379	Dayton Ohio, U.S.	190 Longer season	04-18	10-25	3396
#380	Harrisburg Pennsylvania, U.S.	191 Longer season	04-15	10-23	2988
#381	Emporia Kansas, U.S.	191 Longer season	04-15	10-23	3450
#382	Whistler British Columbia, Canada	192 Longer season	04-19	10-28	1008
#383	Erie Pennsylvania, U.S.	192 Longer season	04-26	11-04	2828
#384	Champaign Illinois, U.S.	192 Longer season	04-15	10-24	3273
#385	Cincinnati Ohio, U.S.	192 Longer season	04-16	10-25	3398
#386	Grand Junction Colorado, U.S.	192 Longer season	04-14	10-23	3624
#387	Detroit Michigan, U.S.	193 Longer season	04-21	10-31	2963
#388	Decatur Illinois, U.S.	193 Longer season	04-14	10-24	3413
#389	Corvallis Oregon, U.S.	194 Longer season	04-17	10-28	2116
#390	Albany Oregon, U.S.	194 Longer season	04-17	10-28	2116
#391	Bloomington Indiana, U.S.	194 Longer season	04-15	10-26	3286
#392	Eugene Oregon, U.S.	195 Longer season	04-11	10-23	2117
#393	Carbondale Illinois, U.S.	196 Longer season	04-09	10-22	3702
#394	Windsor Ontario, Canada	198 Longer season	04-17	11-01	2577
#395	Jefferson City Missouri, U.S.	199 Longer season	04-10	10-26	3778
#396	Wichita Kansas, U.S.	201 Longer season	04-11	10-29	4021
#397	Surrey British Columbia, Canada	202 Longer season	04-11	10-30	1787
#398	Lewiston Idaho, U.S.	203 Longer season	04-06	10-26	2536
#399	Medford Oregon, U.S.	204 Longer season	04-08	10-29	3089
#400	Quincy Illinois, U.S.	205 Longer season	04-08	10-30	3519
#401	Springfield Missouri, U.S.	206 Longer season	04-04	10-27	3745
#402	Wenatchee Washington, U.S.	207 Longer season	04-04	10-28	3003
#403	Columbia Missouri, U.S.	209 Longer season	04-05	10-31	3809
#404	Salem Oregon, U.S.	212 Longer season	04-03	11-01	2368
#405	Kansas City Missouri, U.S.	212 Longer season	04-04	11-02	4068
#406	Victoria British Columbia, Canada	214 Longer season	04-04	11-04	1397
#407	Bellingham Washington, U.S.	215 Longer season	04-01	11-02	1731
#408	St. Louis Missouri, U.S.	217 Longer season	04-01	11-04	4181
#409	Abbotsford British Columbia, Canada	218 Longer season	04-03	11-07	1412
#410	Chilliwack British Columbia, Canada	218 Longer season	04-03	11-07	1497
#411	Walla Walla Washington, U.S.	218 Longer season	03-27	10-31	2439
#412	Cleveland Ohio, U.S.	218 Longer season	04-08	11-12	3082
#413	Powell River British Columbia, Canada	219 Longer season	04-01	11-06	1252
#414	Courtenay British Columbia, Canada	219 Longer season	04-01	11-06	1299
#415	Port Alberni British Columbia, Canada	219 Longer season	04-01	11-06	1466
#416	Boston Massachusetts, U.S.	219 Longer season	04-04	11-09	2851
#417	Everett Washington, U.S.	223 Longer season	03-24	11-02	1837
#418	Mount Vernon Washington, U.S.	224 Longer season	03-24	11-03	1635
#419	Evansville Indiana, U.S.	226 Longer season	03-29	11-10	4273
#420	Bremerton Washington, U.S.	230 Longer season	03-29	11-14	1927
#421	Vancouver British Columbia, Canada	236 Longer season	03-19	11-10	1895
#422	Burnaby British Columbia, Canada	236 Longer season	03-19	11-10	1895
#423	Nanaimo British Columbia, Canada	236 Longer season	03-19	11-10	1922
#424	Roseburg Oregon, U.S.	246 Longer season	03-19	11-20	2867
#425	Seattle Washington, U.S.	249 Longer season	03-13	11-17	2212
#426	Tacoma Washington, U.S.	251 Longer season	03-08	11-14	1786
#427	Port Angeles Washington, U.S.	252 Longer season	03-12	11-19	1287
#428	Portland Oregon, U.S.	279 Longer season	02-25	12-01	2480

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.

Methodology

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

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.