The Home Almanac

Vol. I, MMXXVIThe American home, in season.Across all fifty states

Growing Season Length

Your frost-free season is the stretch between the last spring frost and the first fall one, the window things can grow outside. Set your place to see how long yours runs and where it lands among every station we track.

Set your place to find your season.

What the season measures

Frost-free days count the typical span from the average last spring frost to the average first fall frost. It is the single best summary of how much you can grow: a long season ripens tomatoes, peppers, and melons outdoors, while a short one rewards quick, cold-hardy crops and a head start indoors. The ranking compares your nearest station with every other we hold, so a high percentile means a genuinely long season for the United States.

Frost-free averages from NOAA climate normals. Any single year varies.

Frost CountdownDays until your next frost, and how much of the growing season is still ahead.Winter & Summer IndexTwo scores for how hard your winter bites and how lush your summer grows.Climate Twin FinderThe town whose year of temperatures runs almost exactly like yours.Frost & Planting CalendarEvery vegetable’s sow-and-plant window, worked from your station’s frost dates.