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For growers

What can I grow in Irkutsk?

🇷🇺Irkutsk, Irkutsk Oblast, Russia

Irkutsk is in hardiness zone 3b, has about 109 frost-free days a year, and gets about 4,142 chill hours a winter and 16 in (395 mm) of rain a year. Best fits: barley, canola (rapeseed), wheat, potato and strawberry.

Find land with a climate like Irkutsk →
Hardiness zone
Zone 3b
Coldest night -34°F (-36°C)
Frost season
May 25 – Sep 12
Last and first frost; 109 frost-free days
Frost-safe planting
After Jun 7
Past the last frost 9 years in 10
Winter chill
4,142 hours
55 chill portions
Summer heat
1,471 °F·days(817 °C·days)
Degree days above 50°F (10°C)
Hot days
0 days
Above 95°F (35°C) a year
Rain
16 in(395 mm)
Per year
Dry season
None
Months with rain under 2× the average °C

Great fits (80+)

  1. 100%fit

    Barley

    Grain · Annual · Plant in May

    Every requirement is in its ideal range.

    See it on the chartWhere else it grows
    Why this score ▸
    • Growing-season average100

      Here: 60°F (16°C) · Ideal: 52–68°F (11–20°C)

    • Coldest growing-season night (monthly average)100

      Here: 38°F (3°C) · Ideal: at least 32°F (0°C)

    • Growing-season rain100

      Here: 11 in (267 mm) · Ideal: 7.9–20 in (200–500 mm)

    The most cold- and drought-tolerant small grain; malting barley wants a cool, dry finish.

    Hordeum vulgare. Sources: FAO ECOCROP: Hordeum vulgare; FAO Irrigation and Drainage Paper 33 (Doorenbos & Kassam 1979). Ranges not yet reviewed by an agronomist.

  2. 100%fit

    Canola (rapeseed)

    Spring canola

    Oilseed · Annual · Plant in May

    Every requirement is in its ideal range.

    See it on the chartWhere else it grows
    Why this score ▸
    • Growing-season average100

      Here: 60°F (16°C) · Ideal: 54–70°F (12–21°C)

    • Coldest growing-season night (monthly average)100

      Here: 38°F (3°C) · Ideal: at least 32°F (0°C)

    • Growing-season rain100

      Here: 11 in (267 mm) · Ideal: 9.8–22 in (250–550 mm)

    Heat over ~30 °C at flowering cuts yield; a cool-season crop in warm climates.

    Brassica napus. Sources: FAO ECOCROP: Brassica napus; Canola Council of Canada: Canola Encyclopedia. Ranges not yet reviewed by an agronomist.

  3. 100%fit

    Wheat

    Spring wheat

    Grain · Annual · Plant in May

    Every requirement is in its ideal range.

    See it on the chartWhere else it grows
    Why this score ▸
    • Growing-season average100

      Here: 60°F (16°C) · Ideal: 54–72°F (12–22°C)

    • Coldest growing-season night (monthly average)100

      Here: 38°F (3°C) · Ideal: at least 32°F (0°C)

    • Growing-season rain100

      Here: 11 in (267 mm) · Ideal: 9.8–24 in (250–600 mm)

    In mild-winter climates spring wheat is sown in autumn and grows through the cool season.

    Triticum aestivum. Sources: FAO ECOCROP: Triticum aestivum; FAO Irrigation and Drainage Paper 33 (Doorenbos & Kassam 1979). Ranges not yet reviewed by an agronomist.

  4. 100%fit

    Potato

    Root crop · Annual · Plant in May

    Every requirement is in its ideal range.

    See it on the chartWhere else it grows
    Why this score ▸
    • Growing-season average100

      Here: 60°F (16°C) · Ideal: 55–68°F (13–20°C)

    • Coldest growing-season night (monthly average)100

      Here: 38°F (3°C) · Ideal: at least 37°F (3°C)

    • Growing-season rain100

      Here: 11 in (267 mm) · Ideal: 14–28 in (350–700 mm) · covered by irrigation

    Tubers form best with cool nights; above ~25 °C tuber growth stalls. In the tropics it's a highland or cool-season crop.

    Solanum tuberosum. Sources: FAO ECOCROP: Solanum tuberosum; FAO Crop Water Information: potato. Ranges not yet reviewed by an agronomist.

  5. 100%fit

    Strawberry

    Fruit · Annual · Plant in May

    Every requirement is in its ideal range.

    See it on the chartWhere else it grows
    Why this score ▸
    • Growing-season average100

      Here: 60°F (16°C) · Ideal: 57–75°F (14–24°C)

    • Coldest growing-season night (monthly average)100

      Here: 38°F (3°C) · Ideal: at least 37°F (3°C)

    • Growing-season rain100

      Here: 7.0 in (179 mm) · Ideal: 5.9–18 in (150–450 mm)

    Grown as a short-season crop in most commercial systems; day-neutral types fruit through summer.

    Fragaria × ananassa. Sources: FAO ECOCROP: Fragaria × ananassa; UC ANR: Strawberry production. Ranges not yet reviewed by an agronomist.

  6. 92%fit

    Hemp

    Grain/fibre cultivars (e.g. Finola, Futura)

    Fiber · Annual · Plant in June

    Holding it back: Nights too cold in the growing season: 39°F (4°C) here, ideal at least 41°F (5°C)

    See it on the chartWhere else it grows
    Why this score ▸
    • Growing-season average91

      Here: 60°F (16°C) · Ideal: 61–79°F (16–26°C)

    • Coldest growing-season night (monthly average)76

      Here: 39°F (4°C) · Ideal: at least 41°F (5°C)

    • Growing-season rain100

      Here: 11 in (286 mm) · Ideal: 14–28 in (350–700 mm) · covered by irrigation

    • Longest day100

      Here: 16.8 h · Ideal: at least 14.5 h

    Grain and fibre cultivars bred at high latitudes flower too early under the short days of the tropics. Licensing rules vary by country.

    Cannabis sativa. Sources: Amaducci et al. 2015, Key cultivation techniques for hemp in Europe and China (Industrial Crops and Products); FAO ECOCROP: Cannabis sativa. Ranges not yet reviewed by an agronomist.

  7. 81%fit

    Garlic

    Hardneck (Music, Chesnok Red)

    Vegetable · Annual

    Holding it back: Winters get too cold: -34°F (-36°C) here, ideal at least -22°F (-30°C)

    See it on the chartWhere else it grows
    Why this score ▸
    • Coldest-month average100

      Here: -1°F (-18°C) · Ideal: at most 43°F (6°C)

    • Coldest night of the year (average)35

      Here: -34°F (-36°C) · Ideal: at least -22°F (-30°C)

    • Warmest-month average100

      Here: 67°F (19°C) · Ideal: 61–79°F (16–26°C)

    • Yearly rain100

      Here: 16 in (395 mm) · Ideal: 16–39 in (400–1,000 mm) · covered by irrigation

    Planted in autumn and harvested in early summer; cloves need weeks below ~10 °C to form bulbs (hardnecks more than softnecks).

    Allium sativum. Sources: UC ANR: Garlic production in California; FAO ECOCROP: Allium sativum. Ranges not yet reviewed by an agronomist.

Worth a try (50–79)

  1. 69%fit

    Sunflower

    Oilseed · Annual · Plant in June

    Holding it back: Growing season too cool: 60°F (16°C) here, ideal 64–82°F (18–28°C)

    See it on the chartWhere else it grows
    Why this score ▸
    • Growing-season average60

      Here: 60°F (16°C) · Ideal: 64–82°F (18–28°C)

    • Coldest growing-season night (monthly average)63

      Here: 39°F (4°C) · Ideal: at least 43°F (6°C)

    • Growing-season rain100

      Here: 11 in (286 mm) · Ideal: 12–28 in (300–700 mm) · covered by irrigation

    Deep roots make it fairly drought tolerant.

    Helianthus annuus. Sources: FAO ECOCROP: Helianthus annuus; FAO Crop Water Information: sunflower. Ranges not yet reviewed by an agronomist.

Won't grow here (34)▸
  • Almond: Winters get too cold: -34°F (-36°C) here, ideal at least 9°F (-13°C)
  • Apple: Frost-free season too short: 109 days here, ideal at least 140 days
  • Avocado: Winters get too cold: -34°F (-36°C) here, ideal at least 32°F (0°C)
  • Banana: Winters too cold: -1°F (-18°C) here, ideal at least 61°F (16°C)
  • Blueberry: Winters get too cold: -34°F (-36°C) here, ideal at least -20°F (-29°C)
  • Cacao: Winters too cold: -1°F (-18°C) here, ideal at least 68°F (20°C)
  • Cassava: Too cool overall: 35°F (1°C) here, ideal 72–86°F (22–30°C)
  • Cherry: Winters get too cold: -34°F (-36°C) here, ideal at least -11°F (-24°C)
  • Citrus: Winters get too cold: -34°F (-36°C) here, ideal at least 28°F (-2°C)
  • Coffee (arabica): Too cool overall: 35°F (1°C) here, ideal 64–72°F (18–22°C)
  • Cotton: Growing season too cool: 30°F (-1°C) here, ideal 72–90°F (22–32°C)
  • Date palm: Summers too cool: 67°F (19°C) here, ideal 88–104°F (31–40°C)
  • Fig: Winters get too cold: -34°F (-36°C) here, ideal at least 18°F (-8°C)
  • Hops: Winters get too cold: -34°F (-36°C) here, ideal at least -18°F (-28°C)
  • Kiwifruit: Winters get too cold: -34°F (-36°C) here, ideal at least 14°F (-10°C)
  • Lavender: Winters get too cold: -34°F (-36°C) here, ideal at least -11°F (-24°C)
  • Macadamia: Winters get too cold: -34°F (-36°C) here, ideal at least 30°F (-1°C)
  • Maize (corn): Nights too cold in the growing season: 38°F (3°C) here, ideal at least 50°F (10°C)
  • Mango: Winters get too cold: -34°F (-36°C) here, ideal at least 39°F (4°C)
  • Olive: Winters get too cold: -34°F (-36°C) here, ideal at least 18°F (-8°C)
  • Peach: Winters get too cold: -34°F (-36°C) here, ideal at least -6°F (-21°C)
  • Peanut: Growing season too cool: 24°F (-5°C) here, ideal 72–86°F (22–30°C)
  • Pear: Winters get too cold: -34°F (-36°C) here, ideal at least -18°F (-28°C)
  • Pecan: Winters get too cold: -34°F (-36°C) here, ideal at least 0°F (-18°C)
  • Pistachio: Winters get too cold: -34°F (-36°C) here, ideal at least 10°F (-12°C)
  • Rice: Growing season too cool: 17°F (-8°C) here, ideal 72–88°F (22–31°C)
  • Saffron: Winters get too cold: -34°F (-36°C) here, ideal at least 1°F (-17°C)
  • Sorghum: Nights too cold in the growing season: 38°F (3°C) here, ideal at least 54°F (12°C)
  • Soybean: Nights too cold in the growing season: 38°F (3°C) here, ideal at least 50°F (10°C)
  • Sugarcane: Too cool overall: 35°F (1°C) here, ideal 72–86°F (22–30°C)
  • Tea: Winters get too cold: -34°F (-36°C) here, ideal at least 14°F (-10°C)
  • Tomato: Nights too cold in the growing season: 38°F (3°C) here, ideal at least 50°F (10°C)
  • Walnut: Winters get too cold: -34°F (-36°C) here, ideal at least -8°F (-22°C)
  • Wine grapes: Too cool to ripen: 1,471 °F·days (817 °C·days) here, ideal 2,610–3,510 °F·days (1,450–1,950 °C·days)

Climate vs. crop needs

Temperature (°F)

HighLowAverage

Ideal average in the growing season-50°0°50°100°JFMAMJJASONDHigh Jan: 8°High Feb: 17°High Mar: 34°High Apr: 51°High May: 64°High Jun: 75°High Jul: 78°High Aug: 73°High Sep: 60°High Oct: 46°High Nov: 26°High Dec: 12°Low Jan: -9°Low Feb: -5°Low Mar: 11°Low Apr: 28°Low May: 38°Low Jun: 49°Low Jul: 56°Low Aug: 51°Low Sep: 39°Low Oct: 26°Low Nov: 9°Low Dec: -3°Average Jan: -1°Average Feb: 6°Average Mar: 22°Average Apr: 39°Average May: 51°Average Jun: 62°Average Jul: 67°Average Aug: 62°Average Sep: 50°Average Oct: 36°Average Nov: 17°Average Dec: 5°

Rain (in per month)

 

024JFMAMJJASONDRain Jan: 0.4Rain Feb: 0.2Rain Mar: 0.3Rain Apr: 0.6Rain May: 1.1Rain Jun: 2.4Rain Jul: 3.5Rain Aug: 3.5Rain Sep: 1.9Rain Oct: 0.7Rain Nov: 0.5Rain Dec: 0.6
  • Ideal average in the growing season: 52–68°F. Compare with the gray dashed average line.
  • Growing season: May–Aug
  • Ideal rain over the growing season: 7.9–20 in. Here: 11 in.

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Planning to plant or buy land? We're building detailed reports for Irkutsk: frost risk year by year, the right varieties and rootstocks, water needs, and how the climate is shifting by 2050.

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How these scores work

Each crop has an ideal range and hard limits for things like winter cold, chill hours, summer heat and rain. A score of 100 means everything is in range; one hard limit crossed means 0. Annual crops are scored over their best growing season, which sets the planting month. Scores assume irrigation where rain falls short, and flag crops that need it.

Climate comes from 1991–2020 monthly averages for the 4 km climate cell around the town. Frost dates, chill and hardiness zones are estimated from those averages by simulating daily weather, so check them against local records. Soil, slope and water rights matter as much as climate. Crop ranges come from FAO ECOCROP and university extension guides and haven't been reviewed by an agronomist yet.

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