Growing season refers to the period between the last spring frost and the first fall frost — the window during which warm-season crops can be grown outdoors without frost damage. Cold-tolerant crops can be grown for weeks before and after those frost dates, but the frost-free period is the central metric most gardeners and farmers use to plan production.

Growing seasons across the United States range from essentially year-round in southern Florida and parts of California, to fewer than 90 days in northern Minnesota, Montana, and high-altitude areas of the Mountain West. Understanding your state and region's season helps you know when to expect local food at markets, when farms are at peak production, and when the buying opportunity is richest.

Why It Matters

Seasonality is the signal for freshness. Local food in season is local food at its best. A strawberry from a farm in your state during the local strawberry season is a different product from a strawberry shipped from California in December. Buying with the season — eating what's local when it's local — is the simplest and most consistent way to get the best version of fresh food.

Frost dates determine planning. Farmers plant around last spring frost dates (when it's safe to put out warm-season transplants and direct sow cold-sensitive crops) and first fall frost dates (when harvest must be complete or crops moved under cover). Consumers who understand these dates understand why farmers at April markets are selling plant starts and cool-season greens, not tomatoes — and why the tomato explosion happens in August.

Season extension changes the baseline. Cold frames, row covers, high tunnels, and greenhouses extend the practical growing season before and after the frost dates. A farm with significant infrastructure might grow salad greens year-round in Minnesota — but the outdoor season, and the peak abundance, is still summer.

Regional Growing Seasons

Pacific Coast (California, Oregon, Washington coast) California's Central Valley: essentially year-round. Frost dates are negligible across much of California's produce-growing regions. Oregon's Willamette Valley: last frost late February-early April, first frost mid-October to mid-November. Coastal Pacific Northwest is mild but wet; root crops and brassicas can overwinter.

Mountain West (Colorado, Montana, Wyoming, Idaho, Utah highlands) Short, intense seasons. Denver, CO: last frost late April-early May, first frost mid-October. Billings, MT: last frost mid-May, first frost late September. High-altitude farms (6,000+ feet) may have seasons of 90 days or fewer. Summer growing is vigorous due to high solar radiation.

Midwest (Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Ohio, Indiana) Minneapolis, MN: last frost mid-May, first frost early October. Chicago, IL: last frost late April, first frost late October. Des Moines, IA: last frost late April, first frost mid-October. Rich production seasons of 150-175 days in the central Midwest, shorter further north.

Great Plains (Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Dakotas) Variable and weather-intense. Kansas City: last frost mid-April, first frost late October. Fargo, ND: last frost mid-May, first frost late September. Strong summer production; spring and fall can be erratic. Wind and hail risk is significant.

South (Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas) Long, hot seasons. Atlanta, GA: last frost late March, first frost mid-November. New Orleans: essentially frost-free, with growing seasons exceeding 300 days. Summer heat limits some cool-season crops; fall, winter, and spring are often the best production seasons.

Mid-Atlantic and Southeast (Virginia, North Carolina, Maryland, Tennessee) Productive moderate seasons. Richmond, VA: last frost mid-April, first frost late October. Charlotte, NC: last frost mid-March, first frost early November. Good for a wide range of crops; humid summers create disease pressure for some.

New England (Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts) Short northern seasons, excellent quality. Burlington, VT: last frost mid-May, first frost early October. Portland, ME: last frost mid-May, first frost mid-October. Brief but intensely productive seasons; farm markets run May through October with peak in August-September.

Texas Enormous variation. Houston: practically frost-free, 300+ day season. Dallas: last frost mid-March, first frost mid-November. Amarillo (Panhandle): last frost mid-April, first frost late October. Two-season opportunity in south Texas — spring and fall production bookending a summer that's too hot for many crops.

Southwest (New Mexico, Arizona) Desert climates with intense sun. Albuquerque, NM: last frost mid-April, first frost late October. Phoenix, AZ: essentially year-round, but summer temperatures above 110°F limit warm-season crops. Spring and fall are peak production seasons in desert climates.

Common Questions

How do I find my exact frost dates?

The USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map and the Old Farmer's Almanac both provide searchable frost date tools by zip code. The National Weather Service also maintains historical climate data by station. These are averages — any given year may vary significantly — but the 10-year average last and first frost dates are the planning baseline most farmers use.

Does climate change affect these dates?

Yes, measurably. USDA updated its Plant Hardiness Zone Map in 2023, and most zones shifted warmer — reflecting 30 years of warming data since the previous update. Frost dates have shifted earlier in spring and later in fall across most of the country. Many farmers and gardeners find their historical planting guides are running 1-2 weeks early compared to actual conditions. This is an active area of adjustment in agricultural planning.

Find farms producing in your season on the U.S. Farm Trail map.