Data Story
Frost-Free Growing Seasons Across America
Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, 30-Year Climate Normals 1991-2020.
Analyzed by Growable Ground, April 2026.
Example Last Frost
Apr 15
Zone 6b, New England
Example First Frost
Oct 15
Zone 6b, New England
Growing Season
~183 days
Frost-free period
Find your local frost dates
Frost dates by state
Example Frost Timeline
Zone 6b, Central New England
Green band represents frost-free growing days. Your specific parcel may differ based on elevation, slope, and microclimate.
Key Statistics
Frost-Free Growing Seasons
- Southern Florida parcels may experience 365 frost-free days annually — a year-round growing season.
- Northern Minnesota and Maine parcels may have fewer than 90 frost-free days — among the shortest growing seasons in the contiguous US.
- NOAA defines the frost-free period as the span between the last spring occurrence of 32°F and the first fall occurrence of 32°F, calculated from 30-year climate normals.
- Growing season length varies significantly within individual states: California spans from under 150 days in the Sierra Nevada to 365 days in coastal Southern California.
- Frost dates at the parcel level can differ meaningfully from the nearest weather station — elevation, slope, proximity to water bodies, and urban heat effects all influence local frost timing.
Why Frost Dates Matter for Growers
The frost-free growing season determines which crops you can grow outdoors. Tomatoes need 60-85 frost-free days. Sweet potatoes need 90-120. Citrus trees need year-round frost protection or a zone where freezes don't occur.
State-level frost date ranges are useful for planning, but your specific parcel may differ significantly. A parcel at the bottom of a valley can experience frost 2-3 weeks later in spring and earlier in fall compared to a hilltop parcel just one mile away.
Get Your Parcel's Frost Dates
See NOAA frost dates for your specific location
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Frequently Asked Questions
How accurate are frost date estimates?
NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991-2020) provide the most authoritative frost date estimates available. However, local microclimates — influenced by elevation, proximity to water, urban heat, and slope — can shift frost dates by 1-3 weeks compared to the nearest weather station.
What is a frost-free day?
A frost-free day is any day when the minimum temperature stays above 32°F (0°C). The frost-free growing season is the continuous span of frost-free days between the last spring frost and the first fall frost, as defined by NOAA climate normals.