Climate change is lengthening growing seasons: How it's impacting every state
Canva
Climate change is lengthening growing seasons: How it’s impacting every state
Close up of a farmer’s hand examining wheat crops in field.
Hobby gardeners and professional farmers have long relied on weather predictions from farmers’ almanacs and other sources to guide how they start seeds and prepare for the upcoming season. Climate change, however, has altered the predictability of each region’s final spring frost and the first frost in fall, shifting their growing seasons.
Stacker examined how the average length of growing seasons has changed across every state between 1895 and 2020, citing data from the National Centers for Environmental Information and packaged by the Environmental Protection Agency. Please note data was not available for Alaska and Hawaii.
Additional data on change in the average timing of first and last frosts is also included. However, those two measures may not add up to the exact difference in growing season length because of the statistical methods used to calculate the average dates and durations.
Across the U.S., the 2020 average growing season was 13 days longer than the long-term 1895-2020 average would have suggested, putting those almanacs off by whole weeks.
Those long-term trends can hide the season-to-season irregularity climate change has also fueled. Bulbs may emerge as a first sign of spring only to lose their luster in a late-spring snap freeze. Fruit trees can have their growth stunted when a warm spring begins and is disrupted by a frost.
Shifting growing seasons affect more than people’s backyards. In 2021, American farms contributed over $160 billion to the U.S.’s GDP, about 0.7% of the total. Irregular seasons can have especially pronounced effects on smaller family farms.
On paper, a longer growing season might seem like more days to grow food—a promising possibility. But it’s not that simple. Plants grow and develop differently: Warm-weather plants like tomatoes and peppers may enjoy the extended summer, but cool-season crops like spinach and cauliflower may face early bolting if the season is fueled by hotter days. Longer seasons also support organisms farmers don’t want—like weeds, pests, and invasive species.
The shifting patterns have enabled new regions to become hubs for crops they haven’t traditionally grown, but it can also mean farmers have to rethink their livelihoods.
Stacker
Western vs. Eastern US
Line chart showing how the length of growing seasons in both Western and Eastern US have grown longer.
The average growing season length is up across the board in the U.S. The analysis divides the two regions with a straight north-south line following the eastern side of the Texas panhandle.
Beyond temperatures, climate change has also shifted precipitation patterns. The West has seen elongated droughts, causing farmers to rely on aquifers for irrigation, though they are reaching alarmingly low levels.
In other regions, extreme levels of rain can promote crop diseases, lowering yields and affecting groceries beyond just the produce aisle.
Read on to see how your state’s growing season has changed over the past 130 years.
Canva
Alabama
Close up of a cotton field.
– Change in length of growing season: 1.9 fewer days
– Change in timing of first fall frost: 1.1 days earlier
– Change in timing of last spring frost: 1.0 days later
Canva
Arizona
Close up of a lemon tree.
– Change in length of growing season: 49.8 more days
– Change in timing of first fall frost: 18.2 days later
– Change in timing of last spring frost: 29.3 days earlier
Canva
Arkansas
Dark clouds looming over the rice fields.
– Change in length of growing season: 14.4 more days
– Change in timing of first fall frost: 9.0 days later
– Change in timing of last spring frost: 5.8 days earlier
Canva
California
A field of crops being watered by sprinklers.
– Change in length of growing season: 50.9 more days
– Change in timing of first fall frost: 18.5 days later
– Change in timing of last spring frost: 31.0 days earlier
Canva
Colorado
Farmer examining seeds, close up of a hand.
– Change in length of growing season: 11.2 more days
– Change in timing of first fall frost: 4.8 days later
– Change in timing of last spring frost: 5.5 days earlier
Canva
Connecticut
Greenhouse grow vegetables.
– Change in length of growing season: 27.7 more days
– Change in timing of first fall frost: 13.4 days later
– Change in timing of last spring frost: 13.8 days earlier
Canva
Delaware
Close up of lima beans.
– Change in length of growing season: 27.5 more days
– Change in timing of first fall frost: 7.9 days later
– Change in timing of last spring frost: 18.5 days earlier
Canva
Florida
A farmer examining a tomato.
– Change in length of growing season: 25.6 more days
– Change in timing of first fall frost: 14.5 days later
– Change in timing of last spring frost: 10.9 days earlier
Canva
Georgia
Brown spots on the skin of the orange.
– Change in length of growing season: 10.9 fewer days
– Change in timing of first fall frost: 2.9 days earlier
– Change in timing of last spring frost: 8.3 days later
Canva
Iowa
Yellow melons growing in greenhouse farm.
– Change in length of growing season: 11.1 more days
– Change in timing of first fall frost: 4.3 days later
– Change in timing of last spring frost: 6.8 days earlier
Canva
Idaho
Rows of potatoes on a farm.
– Change in length of growing season: 25.9 more days
– Change in timing of first fall frost: 11.3 days later
– Change in timing of last spring frost: 4.5 days earlier
Canva
Illinois
Farmers loading pumpkins into the truck.
– Change in length of growing season: 8.6 more days
– Change in timing of first fall frost: 2.3 days later
– Change in timing of last spring frost: 7.0 days earlier
Canva
Indiana
A tractor spraying a field of crops.
– Change in length of growing season: 12.7 more days
– Change in timing of first fall frost: 4.4 days later
– Change in timing of last spring frost: 7.9 days earlier
Canva
Kansas
Burning sugercane crops.
– Change in length of growing season: 14.8 more days
– Change in timing of first fall frost: 6.1 days later
– Change in timing of last spring frost: 4.3 days earlier
Canva
Kentucky
A close-up of cracked dirt ground.
– Change in length of growing season: 6.8 more days
– Change in timing of first fall frost: 5.1 days later
– Change in timing of last spring frost: 2.2 days earlier
Canva
Louisiana
A large pile of grain next to a conveyor belt.
– Change in length of growing season: 20.2 more days
– Change in timing of first fall frost: 11.4 days later
– Change in timing of last spring frost: 8.2 days earlier
Canva
Massachusetts
A row of hay bales sitting in a field.
– Change in length of growing season: 11.5 more days
– Change in timing of first fall frost: 7.3 days later
– Change in timing of last spring frost: 3.5 days earlier
Canva
Maryland
A person picking sweet potatoes from the ground.
– Change in length of growing season: 23.3 more days
– Change in timing of first fall frost: 14.2 days later
– Change in timing of last spring frost: 12.0 days earlier
Canva
Maine
A close up of a box of blueberries.
– Change in length of growing season: 15.1 more days
– Change in timing of first fall frost: 7.0 days later
– Change in timing of last spring frost: 8.4 days earlier
Canva
Michigan
A greenhouse filled with colorful flowers.
– Change in length of growing season: 13.6 more days
– Change in timing of first fall frost: 8.0 days later
– Change in timing of last spring frost: 5.8 days earlier
Canva
Minnesota
Cranberry harvest using water reel.
– Change in length of growing season: 19.6 more days
– Change in timing of first fall frost: 7.2 days later
– Change in timing of last spring frost: 11.1 days earlier
Canva
Missouri
Close up of fresh strawberries.
– Change in length of growing season: 11.0 more days
– Change in timing of first fall frost: 5.0 days later
– Change in timing of last spring frost: 6.4 days earlier
Canva
Mississippi
A field of sunflowers.
– Change in length of growing season: 0.7 more days
– Change in timing of first fall frost: 1.0 days later
– Change in timing of last spring frost: 0.7 days later
Canva
Montana
Harvester machinery harvesting lentils.
– Change in length of growing season: 12.7 more days
– Change in timing of first fall frost: 7.9 days later
– Change in timing of last spring frost: 5.5 days earlier
Canva
North Carolina
Soy plantation.
– Change in length of growing season: 6.4 more days
– Change in timing of first fall frost: 3.8 days later
– Change in timing of last spring frost: 3.4 days earlier
Canva
North Dakota
A field of barley.
– Change in length of growing season: 31.0 more days
– Change in timing of first fall frost: 16.2 days later
– Change in timing of last spring frost: 15.8 days earlier
Canva
Nebraska
Dried corn stalks.
– Change in length of growing season: 9.4 more days
– Change in timing of first fall frost: 3.9 days later
– Change in timing of last spring frost: 3.9 days earlier
Canva
New Hampshire
An apple orchard with a ladder and buckets of apples.
– Change in length of growing season: 21.8 more days
– Change in timing of first fall frost: 12.0 days later
– Change in timing of last spring frost: 8.6 days earlier
Canva
New Jersey
A man throwing a basket of yellow peppers into a pile of yellow peppers.
– Change in length of growing season: 16.8 more days
– Change in timing of first fall frost: 10.8 days later
– Change in timing of last spring frost: 6.0 days earlier
Canva
New Mexico
Rows of peanut plants growing in arid soil.
– Change in length of growing season: 13.3 more days
– Change in timing of first fall frost: 6.3 days later
– Change in timing of last spring frost: 8.0 days earlier
Canva
Nevada
A large fire burning on the side of a mountain at night.
– Change in length of growing season: 12.0 more days
– Change in timing of first fall frost: 7.0 days later
– Change in timing of last spring frost: 2.9 days earlier
Canva
New York
Field of cabbage.
– Change in length of growing season: 11.5 more days
– Change in timing of first fall frost: 8.0 days later
– Change in timing of last spring frost: 4.6 days earlier
Canva
Ohio
Storm clouds over wheat field.
– Change in length of growing season: 16.3 more days
– Change in timing of first fall frost: 10.2 days later
– Change in timing of last spring frost: 8.5 days earlier
Canva
Oklahoma
A butternut squash hanging from a vine.
– Change in length of growing season: 4.9 more days
– Change in timing of first fall frost: 4.0 days later
– Change in timing of last spring frost: 1.4 days earlier
Canva
Oregon
Grapes in vineyards.
– Change in length of growing season: 26.6 more days
– Change in timing of first fall frost: 12.2 days later
– Change in timing of last spring frost: 16.1 days earlier
Canva
Pennsylvania
A row of lettuce growing in a greenhouse.
– Change in length of growing season: 19.6 more days
– Change in timing of first fall frost: 15.2 days later
– Change in timing of last spring frost: 6.0 days earlier
Canva
Rhode Island
A group of lanternflies sitting on a tree trunk.
– Change in length of growing season: 11.4 more days
– Change in timing of first fall frost: 7.0 days later
– Change in timing of last spring frost: 2.8 days earlier
Canva
South Carolina
A bunch of peaches hanging from a tree.
– Change in length of growing season: 5.0 more days
– Change in timing of first fall frost: 2.3 days later
– Change in timing of last spring frost: 1.8 days earlier
Canva
South Dakota
A bunch of tobacco leaves hanging from a rack.
– Change in length of growing season: 17.5 more days
– Change in timing of first fall frost: 7.4 days later
– Change in timing of last spring frost: 9.1 days earlier
Canva
Tennesee
Pile of oats.
– Change in length of growing season: 3.9 more days
– Change in timing of first fall frost: 4.8 days later
– Change in timing of last spring frost: 0.7 days earlier
Canva
Texas
A windmill in the middle of a dry grass field.
– Change in length of growing season: 8.3 more days
– Change in timing of first fall frost: 1.9 days later
– Change in timing of last spring frost: 5.6 days earlier
Canva
Utah
A modern combine harvester working in a large field of wheat.
– Change in length of growing season: 33.0 more days
– Change in timing of first fall frost: 13.2 days later
– Change in timing of last spring frost: 19.0 days earlier
Canva
Virginia
A farmer inspecting fertilizer bags.
– Change in length of growing season: 13.6 more days
– Change in timing of first fall frost: 8.8 days later
– Change in timing of last spring frost: 4.1 days earlier
Canva
Vermont
A group of maple trees with buckets attached to them in a forest.
– Change in length of growing season: 11.9 more days
– Change in timing of first fall frost: 7.9 days later
– Change in timing of last spring frost: 4.0 days earlier
Canva
Washington
Hops growing in field.
– Change in length of growing season: 35.0 more days
– Change in timing of first fall frost: 14.6 days later
– Change in timing of last spring frost: 22.9 days earlier
Canva
Wisconsin
A pile of ginseng roots.
– Change in length of growing season: 15.7 more days
– Change in timing of first fall frost: 6.8 days later
– Change in timing of last spring frost: 8.2 days earlier
Canva
West Virginia
Christmas trees in pots.
– Change in length of growing season: 6.6 more days
– Change in timing of first fall frost: 8.2 days later
– Change in timing of last spring frost: 0.6 days later
Canva
Wyoming
A large pile of beets next to a dirt road.
– Change in length of growing season: 34.4 more days
– Change in timing of first fall frost: 13.8 days later
– Change in timing of last spring frost: 21.0 days earlier
Story editing by Jeff Inglis. Copy editing by Kristen Wegrzyn. Photo selection by Ania Antecka.
