City comparison
Long Growing Seasons With Low Growing Degree Days
Some places have a generous frost-free calendar but do not accumulate as much warm-season crop heat as the season length suggests. This ranking highlights cities where the outdoor window looks longer than the base 50°F GDD budget feels.
Strongest long/cool signal
Abbotsford
218 days · 689 base 50°F GDD
Cities ranked
68
Longer-season cities with lower relative GDD
Best used for
Cool-summer caution
Tomatoes, peppers, melons, corn, squash, and other heat lovers
The ranking
These cities have at least 150 frost-free days, but their frost-free season percentile is noticeably higher than their base 50°F GDD percentile. That does not make them bad garden climates; it means long-season crops may still need realistic heat expectations.
| Rank | City | Frost-free days | Base 50°F GDD | Season vs heat gap | Interpretation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 |
Abbotsford British Columbia, Canada |
218 April 3 to November 7 |
689 |
+91 season percentile above heat percentile |
Abbotsford has a long frost-free window relative to its heat accumulation, so cool-summer crops may feel easier than long-season heat lovers. |
| #2 |
Victoria British Columbia, Canada |
214 April 4 to November 4 |
689 |
+90 season percentile above heat percentile |
Victoria has a long frost-free window relative to its heat accumulation, so cool-summer crops may feel easier than long-season heat lovers. |
| #3 |
Burnaby British Columbia, Canada |
236 March 19 to November 10 |
904 |
+86 season percentile above heat percentile |
Burnaby has a long frost-free window relative to its heat accumulation, so cool-summer crops may feel easier than long-season heat lovers. |
| #4 |
Whistler British Columbia, Canada |
192 April 19 to October 28 |
775 |
+83 season percentile above heat percentile |
Whistler has a long frost-free window relative to its heat accumulation, so cool-summer crops may feel easier than long-season heat lovers. |
| #5 |
Nanaimo British Columbia, Canada |
236 March 19 to November 10 |
1077 |
+82 season percentile above heat percentile |
Nanaimo has a long frost-free window relative to its heat accumulation, so cool-summer crops may feel easier than long-season heat lovers. |
| #6 |
Courtenay British Columbia, Canada |
219 April 1 to November 6 |
963 |
+82 season percentile above heat percentile |
Courtenay has a long frost-free window relative to its heat accumulation, so cool-summer crops may feel easier than long-season heat lovers. |
| #7 |
Port Angeles Washington, United States |
252 March 12 to November 19 |
1289 |
+77 season percentile above heat percentile |
Port Angeles has a long frost-free window relative to its heat accumulation, so cool-summer crops may feel easier than long-season heat lovers. |
| #8 |
Powell River British Columbia, Canada |
219 April 1 to November 6 |
1396 |
+70 season percentile above heat percentile |
Powell River has a long frost-free window relative to its heat accumulation, so cool-summer crops may feel easier than long-season heat lovers. |
| #9 |
Kamloops British Columbia, Canada |
170 April 25 to October 12 |
679 |
+69 season percentile above heat percentile |
Kamloops has a long frost-free window relative to its heat accumulation, so cool-summer crops may feel easier than long-season heat lovers. |
| #10 |
100 Mile House British Columbia, Canada |
170 April 25 to October 12 |
819 |
+65 season percentile above heat percentile |
100 Mile House has a long frost-free window relative to its heat accumulation, so cool-summer crops may feel easier than long-season heat lovers. |
| #11 |
Whitby Ontario, Canada |
168 April 30 to October 15 |
730 |
+65 season percentile above heat percentile |
Whitby has a long frost-free window relative to its heat accumulation, so cool-summer crops may feel easier than long-season heat lovers. |
| #12 |
Juneau Alaska, United States |
164 May 3 to October 14 |
678 |
+64 season percentile above heat percentile |
Juneau has a long frost-free window relative to its heat accumulation, so cool-summer crops may feel easier than long-season heat lovers. |
| #13 |
Mount Vernon Washington, United States |
224 March 24 to November 3 |
1647 |
+60 season percentile above heat percentile |
Mount Vernon has a long frost-free window relative to its heat accumulation, so cool-summer crops may feel easier than long-season heat lovers. |
| #14 |
Chilliwack British Columbia, Canada |
218 April 3 to November 7 |
1610 |
+60 season percentile above heat percentile |
Chilliwack has a long frost-free window relative to its heat accumulation, so cool-summer crops may feel easier than long-season heat lovers. |
| #15 |
Yarmouth Nova Scotia, Canada |
179 April 28 to October 24 |
1311 |
+57 season percentile above heat percentile |
Yarmouth has a long frost-free window relative to its heat accumulation, so cool-summer crops may feel easier than long-season heat lovers. |
| #16 |
Tacoma Washington, United States |
251 March 8 to November 14 |
1797 |
+56 season percentile above heat percentile |
Tacoma has a long frost-free window relative to its heat accumulation, so cool-summer crops may feel easier than long-season heat lovers. |
| #17 |
Salmon Arm British Columbia, Canada |
161 April 28 to October 6 |
689 |
+56 season percentile above heat percentile |
Salmon Arm has a long frost-free window relative to its heat accumulation, so cool-summer crops may feel easier than long-season heat lovers. |
| #18 |
Bellingham Washington, United States |
215 April 1 to November 2 |
1755 |
+52 season percentile above heat percentile |
Bellingham has a long frost-free window relative to its heat accumulation, so cool-summer crops may feel easier than long-season heat lovers. |
| #19 |
Everett Washington, United States |
223 March 24 to November 2 |
1864 |
+51 season percentile above heat percentile |
Everett has a long frost-free window relative to its heat accumulation, so cool-summer crops may feel easier than long-season heat lovers. |
| #20 |
Surrey British Columbia, Canada |
202 April 11 to October 30 |
1809 |
+49 season percentile above heat percentile |
Surrey has a long frost-free window relative to its heat accumulation, so cool-summer crops may feel easier than long-season heat lovers. |
| #21 |
Kingston Ontario, Canada |
170 April 27 to October 14 |
1352 |
+49 season percentile above heat percentile |
Kingston has a long frost-free window relative to its heat accumulation, so cool-summer crops may feel easier than long-season heat lovers. |
| #22 |
Vancouver British Columbia, Canada |
236 March 19 to November 10 |
1938 |
+48 season percentile above heat percentile |
Vancouver has a long frost-free window relative to its heat accumulation, so cool-summer crops may feel easier than long-season heat lovers. |
| #23 |
Halifax Nova Scotia, Canada |
182 April 30 to October 29 |
1579 |
+48 season percentile above heat percentile |
Halifax has a long frost-free window relative to its heat accumulation, so cool-summer crops may feel easier than long-season heat lovers. |
| #24 |
Vaughan Ontario, Canada |
163 May 3 to October 13 |
1063 |
+48 season percentile above heat percentile |
Vaughan has a long frost-free window relative to its heat accumulation, so cool-summer crops may feel easier than long-season heat lovers. |
| #25 |
Bremerton Washington, United States |
230 March 29 to November 14 |
1946 |
+46 season percentile above heat percentile |
Bremerton has a long frost-free window relative to its heat accumulation, so cool-summer crops may feel easier than long-season heat lovers. |
| #26 |
Port Alberni British Columbia, Canada |
219 April 1 to November 6 |
1938 |
+46 season percentile above heat percentile |
Port Alberni has a long frost-free window relative to its heat accumulation, so cool-summer crops may feel easier than long-season heat lovers. |
| #27 |
Campbell River British Columbia, Canada |
169 April 27 to October 13 |
1394 |
+45 season percentile above heat percentile |
Campbell River has a long frost-free window relative to its heat accumulation, so cool-summer crops may feel easier than long-season heat lovers. |
| #28 |
Woodstock Ontario, Canada |
166 May 3 to October 16 |
1352 |
+45 season percentile above heat percentile |
Woodstock has a long frost-free window relative to its heat accumulation, so cool-summer crops may feel easier than long-season heat lovers. |
| #29 |
Montreal Quebec, Canada |
168 April 29 to October 14 |
1403 |
+43 season percentile above heat percentile |
Montreal has enough calendar room to look forgiving, but base 50°F GDD is modest compared with the season length. |
| #30 |
Anchorage Alaska, United States |
151 May 1 to September 29 |
740 |
+43 season percentile above heat percentile |
Anchorage has enough calendar room to look forgiving, but base 50°F GDD is modest compared with the season length. |
| #31 |
Toronto Ontario, Canada |
176 April 27 to October 20 |
1634 |
+42 season percentile above heat percentile |
Toronto has enough calendar room to look forgiving, but base 50°F GDD is modest compared with the season length. |
| #32 |
Owen Sound Ontario, Canada |
151 May 12 to October 10 |
808 |
+42 season percentile above heat percentile |
Owen Sound has enough calendar room to look forgiving, but base 50°F GDD is modest compared with the season length. |
| #33 |
Niagara Falls Ontario, Canada |
161 May 6 to October 14 |
1275 |
+39 season percentile above heat percentile |
Niagara Falls has enough calendar room to look forgiving, but base 50°F GDD is modest compared with the season length. |
| #34 |
Guelph Ontario, Canada |
150 May 8 to October 5 |
873 |
+37 season percentile above heat percentile |
Guelph has enough calendar room to look forgiving, but base 50°F GDD is modest compared with the season length. |
| #35 |
Terrace British Columbia, Canada |
175 April 25 to October 17 |
1748 |
+34 season percentile above heat percentile |
Terrace has enough calendar room to look forgiving, but base 50°F GDD is modest compared with the season length. |
| #36 |
Olympia Washington, United States |
168 April 29 to October 14 |
1612 |
+34 season percentile above heat percentile |
Olympia has enough calendar room to look forgiving, but base 50°F GDD is modest compared with the season length. |
| #37 |
Penticton British Columbia, Canada |
161 April 30 to October 8 |
1396 |
+34 season percentile above heat percentile |
Penticton has enough calendar room to look forgiving, but base 50°F GDD is modest compared with the season length. |
| #38 |
Vancouver Washington, United States |
175 April 26 to October 18 |
1791 |
+33 season percentile above heat percentile |
Vancouver has enough calendar room to look forgiving, but base 50°F GDD is modest compared with the season length. |
| #39 |
Marquette Michigan, United States |
166 May 8 to October 21 |
1607 |
+33 season percentile above heat percentile |
Marquette has enough calendar room to look forgiving, but base 50°F GDD is modest compared with the season length. |
| #40 |
Seattle Washington, United States |
249 March 13 to November 17 |
2265 |
+32 season percentile above heat percentile |
Seattle has enough calendar room to look forgiving, but base 50°F GDD is modest compared with the season length. |
| #41 |
Manitowoc Wisconsin, United States |
173 April 30 to October 20 |
1827 |
+32 season percentile above heat percentile |
Manitowoc has enough calendar room to look forgiving, but base 50°F GDD is modest compared with the season length. |
| #42 |
Kitchener Ontario, Canada |
150 May 8 to October 5 |
1063 |
+31 season percentile above heat percentile |
Kitchener has enough calendar room to look forgiving, but base 50°F GDD is modest compared with the season length. |
| #43 |
Eugene Oregon, United States |
195 April 11 to October 23 |
2145 |
+30 season percentile above heat percentile |
Eugene has enough calendar room to look forgiving, but base 50°F GDD is modest compared with the season length. |
| #44 |
Albany Oregon, United States |
194 April 17 to October 28 |
2139 |
+30 season percentile above heat percentile |
Albany has enough calendar room to look forgiving, but base 50°F GDD is modest compared with the season length. |
| #45 |
Corvallis Oregon, United States |
194 April 17 to October 28 |
2139 |
+30 season percentile above heat percentile |
Corvallis has enough calendar room to look forgiving, but base 50°F GDD is modest compared with the season length. |
| #46 |
Leamington Ontario, Canada |
181 April 25 to October 23 |
1946 |
+30 season percentile above heat percentile |
Leamington has enough calendar room to look forgiving, but base 50°F GDD is modest compared with the season length. |
| #47 |
Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu Quebec, Canada |
155 May 6 to October 8 |
1360 |
+29 season percentile above heat percentile |
Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu leans more calendar-rich than heat-rich, which can matter for tomatoes, peppers, melons, and other warm-season crops. |
| #48 |
Sydney Nova Scotia, Canada |
151 May 22 to October 20 |
1277 |
+28 season percentile above heat percentile |
Sydney leans more calendar-rich than heat-rich, which can matter for tomatoes, peppers, melons, and other warm-season crops. |
| #49 |
Cambridge Ontario, Canada |
150 May 8 to October 5 |
1176 |
+28 season percentile above heat percentile |
Cambridge leans more calendar-rich than heat-rich, which can matter for tomatoes, peppers, melons, and other warm-season crops. |
| #50 |
Munising Michigan, United States |
151 May 16 to October 14 |
1345 |
+26 season percentile above heat percentile |
Munising leans more calendar-rich than heat-rich, which can matter for tomatoes, peppers, melons, and other warm-season crops. |
| #51 |
Oshawa Ontario, Canada |
168 April 30 to October 15 |
1873 |
+25 season percentile above heat percentile |
Oshawa leans more calendar-rich than heat-rich, which can matter for tomatoes, peppers, melons, and other warm-season crops. |
| #52 |
Rimouski Quebec, Canada |
151 May 16 to October 14 |
1371 |
+25 season percentile above heat percentile |
Rimouski leans more calendar-rich than heat-rich, which can matter for tomatoes, peppers, melons, and other warm-season crops. |
| #53 |
Windsor Ontario, Canada |
198 April 17 to November 1 |
2274 |
+24 season percentile above heat percentile |
Windsor leans more calendar-rich than heat-rich, which can matter for tomatoes, peppers, melons, and other warm-season crops. |
| #54 |
Terrebonne Quebec, Canada |
168 April 29 to October 14 |
1896 |
+24 season percentile above heat percentile |
Terrebonne leans more calendar-rich than heat-rich, which can matter for tomatoes, peppers, melons, and other warm-season crops. |
| #55 |
Newmarket Ontario, Canada |
163 May 3 to October 13 |
1714 |
+24 season percentile above heat percentile |
Newmarket leans more calendar-rich than heat-rich, which can matter for tomatoes, peppers, melons, and other warm-season crops. |
| #56 |
Pickering Ontario, Canada |
163 May 3 to October 13 |
1724 |
+24 season percentile above heat percentile |
Pickering leans more calendar-rich than heat-rich, which can matter for tomatoes, peppers, melons, and other warm-season crops. |
| #57 |
London Ontario, Canada |
166 May 3 to October 16 |
1873 |
+23 season percentile above heat percentile |
London leans more calendar-rich than heat-rich, which can matter for tomatoes, peppers, melons, and other warm-season crops. |
| #58 |
Moscow Idaho, United States |
156 April 29 to October 2 |
1501 |
+23 season percentile above heat percentile |
Moscow leans more calendar-rich than heat-rich, which can matter for tomatoes, peppers, melons, and other warm-season crops. |
| #59 |
Lewiston Maine, United States |
177 April 25 to October 19 |
2078 |
+22 season percentile above heat percentile |
Lewiston leans more calendar-rich than heat-rich, which can matter for tomatoes, peppers, melons, and other warm-season crops. |
| #60 |
Portland Oregon, United States |
279 February 25 to December 1 |
2554 |
+21 season percentile above heat percentile |
Portland leans more calendar-rich than heat-rich, which can matter for tomatoes, peppers, melons, and other warm-season crops. |
| #61 |
Coeur d'Alene Idaho, United States |
179 April 22 to October 18 |
2090 |
+21 season percentile above heat percentile |
Coeur d'Alene leans more calendar-rich than heat-rich, which can matter for tomatoes, peppers, melons, and other warm-season crops. |
| #62 |
Welland Ontario, Canada |
161 May 6 to October 14 |
1709 |
+21 season percentile above heat percentile |
Welland leans more calendar-rich than heat-rich, which can matter for tomatoes, peppers, melons, and other warm-season crops. |
| #63 |
Charlottetown Prince Edward Island, Canada |
154 May 17 to October 18 |
1503 |
+21 season percentile above heat percentile |
Charlottetown leans more calendar-rich than heat-rich, which can matter for tomatoes, peppers, melons, and other warm-season crops. |
| #64 |
Walla Walla Washington, United States |
218 March 27 to October 31 |
2472 |
+20 season percentile above heat percentile |
Walla Walla leans more calendar-rich than heat-rich, which can matter for tomatoes, peppers, melons, and other warm-season crops. |
| #65 |
Salem Oregon, United States |
212 April 3 to November 1 |
2411 |
+20 season percentile above heat percentile |
Salem leans more calendar-rich than heat-rich, which can matter for tomatoes, peppers, melons, and other warm-season crops. |
| #66 |
Summerside Prince Edward Island, Canada |
154 May 17 to October 18 |
1505 |
+20 season percentile above heat percentile |
Summerside leans more calendar-rich than heat-rich, which can matter for tomatoes, peppers, melons, and other warm-season crops. |
| #67 |
Racine Wisconsin, United States |
187 April 20 to October 24 |
2271 |
+18 season percentile above heat percentile |
Racine leans more calendar-rich than heat-rich, which can matter for tomatoes, peppers, melons, and other warm-season crops. |
| #68 |
Kelowna British Columbia, Canada |
161 April 30 to October 8 |
1748 |
+18 season percentile above heat percentile |
Kelowna leans more calendar-rich than heat-rich, which can matter for tomatoes, peppers, melons, and other warm-season crops. |
What this ranking means
A long frost-free season is still valuable. It helps with succession planting, cool-season crops, and reducing hard frost pressure. The caution is that warm-season crops do not mature from calendar days alone; they also need enough accumulated heat.
Compare the opposite pattern: Short Growing Seasons With Surprisingly High Heat.
Sources and methodology
Official source context for this ranking
This ranking is a GrowByDate interpretation of frost-date and seasonal heat 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 with at least 150 frost-free days are ranked by how much higher their frost-free-days percentile is than their base 50°F GDD percentile. The result highlights places where the outdoor calendar window is longer than the warm-crop heat budget suggests.
Long seasons with lower GDD can still be excellent garden climates. The signal mainly warns that warm-season crops may need faster varieties, warmer sites, or realistic expectations even when frost dates look generous.
Download: long season, lower GDD JSON.