HomeCities › Whitehorse

What Grows in Whitehorse, YT?

Yukon, zone 1-2.

Zone

Canadian 1

Last frost

June 5

First frost

September 1

Frost-free days

70
Quick Answer

Whitehorse is in Canadian Zone 1 with about 70 frost-free days, and you can grow kale, lettuce, peas, radishes here.

What to plant, and when

Timing by your frost dates — last frost June 5, first frost September 1.

🌱 Start indoors (pre-frost)

Ground Cherry, Winter Squash, Butternut Squash

❄️ Direct-sow early (cool season)

Cabbage, Turnip, Parsnip, Rutabaga, Celeriac, Kohlrabi, French Tarragon, Lemon Balm

☀️ Plant after last frost

Microgreens, Gooseberry, Red Currant, Elderberry, Plum, Pear

🍂 Plant in fall

Horseradish, Sorrel, Calendula

What grows well in Whitehorse

Canadian Zone 1

Local favourites in Whitehorse: kale, lettuce, peas, radishes.

Borderline — needs extra care

Frequently asked questions

What hardiness zone is Whitehorse, YT in?

Whitehorse, YT is in Canadian Hardiness Zone 1. This drives everything about what you can reliably grow — it maps directly to how cold your winters get.

When is the last frost in Whitehorse?

The average last spring frost in Whitehorse is around June 5, and the first fall frost is typically September 1. Plan to move tender plants outside after June 5 and have them harvested (or protected) before September 1.

What grows well in Whitehorse?

Plenty — Whitehorse's Canadian Zone 1 climate supports 30+ crops. Some of the easiest and most reliable here are Microgreens, Turnip, Rutabaga.

How long is Whitehorse's growing season?

Whitehorse typically has around 70 frost-free days per year (roughly June 5 to September 1). That's a short season — focus on fast-maturing and cool-season crops (greens, roots, peas), start warm-season plants indoors, and use season extension like row covers.

What should I plant first in Whitehorse?

Go with fast-maturing crops to get a quick win while the season is short: Microgreens, Scallion, Watercress are among the quickest from seed to harvest in Whitehorse.

Can I grow vegetables in containers in Whitehorse?

Yes — Whitehorse's climate is container-friendly for the right crops. Cabbage, Turnip, Kohlrabi all do well in pots, which also lets you start them a little earlier and move them in on cold nights.

When should I start seeds indoors in Whitehorse?

For warm-season crops like Cabbage, Celeriac, Kohlrabi, start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before your last frost (around June 5), then transplant after the danger of frost has passed.

What's tricky to grow in Whitehorse?

A few crops need extra care in Whitehorse's climate — Lettuce, Spinach, Kale are borderline here and may need season extension (row covers, cold frames, or a head start indoors).