Climatch
For growers

What can I grow in Sheffield?

🇬🇧Sheffield, England, United Kingdom

Sheffield is in hardiness zone 9a, has about 226 frost-free days a year, and gets about 2,613 chill hours a winter and 34 in (875 mm) of rain a year. Best fits: potato, blueberry, barley, garlic and strawberry.

Find land with a climate like Sheffield →
Hardiness zone
Zone 9a
Coldest night 23°F (-5°C)
Frost season
Apr 7 – Nov 21
Last and first frost; 226 frost-free days
Frost-safe planting
After Apr 28
Past the last frost 9 years in 10
Winter chill
2,613 hours
132 chill portions
Summer heat
1,390 °F·days(772 °C·days)
Degree days above 50°F (10°C)
Hot days
0 days
Above 95°F (35°C) a year
Rain
34 in(875 mm)
Per year
Dry season
None
Months with rain under 2× the average °C

Great fits (80+)

  1. 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: 59°F (15°C) · Ideal: 55–68°F (13–20°C)

    • Coldest growing-season night (monthly average)100

      Here: 45°F (7°C) · Ideal: at least 37°F (3°C)

    • Growing-season rain100

      Here: 11 in (270 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.

  2. 100%fit

    Blueberry

    Northern highbush (Bluecrop, Duke)

    Fruit · Perennial

    Every requirement is in its ideal range.

    See it on the chartWhere else it grows
    Why this score ▸
    • Winter chill (9 winters in 10)100

      Here: 128 portions · Ideal: at least 55 portions

    • Coldest night of the year (average)100

      Here: 23°F (-5°C) · Ideal: at least -20°F (-29°C)

    • Frost-free days100

      Here: 226 days · Ideal: at least 140 days

    • Days above 95°F (35°C)100

      Here: 0 days · Ideal: at most 15 days

    • Yearly rain100

      Here: 34 in (875 mm) · Ideal: 30–59 in (750–1,500 mm)

    Needs acidic soil (pH 4.5–5.5), which climate can't tell us. Shallow roots: irrigate in dry spells.

    Vaccinium corymbosum / V. virgatum. Sources: Retamales & Hancock, Blueberries (CABI, 2nd ed.); NC State Extension: blueberry chill requirements. Ranges not yet reviewed by an agronomist.

  3. 100%fit

    Barley

    Grain · Annual · Plant in April

    Every requirement is in its ideal range.

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

      Here: 55°F (13°C) · Ideal: 52–68°F (11–20°C)

    • Coldest growing-season night (monthly average)100

      Here: 40°F (5°C) · Ideal: at least 32°F (0°C)

    • Growing-season rain100

      Here: 10 in (255 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.

  4. 100%fit

    Garlic

    Hardneck (Music, Chesnok Red)

    Vegetable · Annual

    Every requirement is in its ideal range.

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

      Here: 40°F (5°C) · Ideal: at most 43°F (6°C)

    • Coldest night of the year (average)100

      Here: 23°F (-5°C) · Ideal: at least -22°F (-30°C)

    • Warmest-month average100

      Here: 62°F (17°C) · Ideal: 61–79°F (16–26°C)

    • Yearly rain100

      Here: 34 in (875 mm) · Ideal: 16–39 in (400–1,000 mm)

    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.

  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: 58°F (14°C) · Ideal: 57–75°F (14–24°C)

    • Coldest growing-season night (monthly average)100

      Here: 45°F (7°C) · Ideal: at least 37°F (3°C)

    • Growing-season rain100

      Here: 7.7 in (196 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. 100%fit

    Canola (rapeseed)

    Spring canola

    Oilseed · Annual · Plant in April

    Every requirement is in its ideal range.

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

      Here: 55°F (13°C) · Ideal: 54–70°F (12–21°C)

    • Coldest growing-season night (monthly average)100

      Here: 40°F (5°C) · Ideal: at least 32°F (0°C)

    • Growing-season rain100

      Here: 10 in (255 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.

  7. 100%fit

    Wheat

    Spring wheat

    Grain · Annual · Plant in April

    Every requirement is in its ideal range.

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

      Here: 55°F (13°C) · Ideal: 54–72°F (12–22°C)

    • Coldest growing-season night (monthly average)100

      Here: 40°F (5°C) · Ideal: at least 32°F (0°C)

    • Growing-season rain100

      Here: 10 in (255 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.

  8. 99%fit

    Cherry

    Sweet cherry (Bing, Lapins)

    Fruit · Perennial

    Holding it back: Not enough summer heat: 1,390 °F·days (772 °C·days) here, ideal at least 1,440 °F·days (800 °C·days)

    See it on the chartWhere else it grows
    Why this score ▸
    • Winter chill (9 winters in 10)100

      Here: 128 portions · Ideal: at least 60 portions

    • Coldest night of the year (average)100

      Here: 23°F (-5°C) · Ideal: at least -11°F (-24°C)

    • Frost-free days100

      Here: 226 days · Ideal: at least 150 days

    • Degree days above 50°F (10°C)91

      Here: 1,390 °F·days (772 °C·days) · Ideal: at least 1,440 °F·days (800 °C·days)

    • Days above 95°F (35°C)100

      Here: 0 days · Ideal: at most 30 days

    • Yearly rain100

      Here: 34 in (875 mm) · Ideal: 20–39 in (500–1,000 mm)

    Rain near harvest splits sweet cherries. Spring frosts at bloom are the main yield risk.

    Prunus avium / P. cerasus. Sources: Fadón et al. 2020, Chilling and heat requirements of temperate stone fruit trees (Prunus sp.) (Agronomy); FAO ECOCROP: Prunus avium. Ranges not yet reviewed by an agronomist.

  9. 99%fit

    Hops

    Herb · Perennial

    Holding it back: Summers too cool: 62°F (17°C) here, ideal 63–75°F (17–24°C)

    See it on the chartWhere else it grows
    Why this score ▸
    • Longest day100

      Here: 17.0 h · Ideal: at least 15.0 h

    • Coldest-month average100

      Here: 40°F (5°C) · Ideal: at most 43°F (6°C)

    • Coldest night of the year (average)100

      Here: 23°F (-5°C) · Ideal: at least -18°F (-28°C)

    • Frost-free days100

      Here: 226 days · Ideal: at least 130 days

    • Warmest-month average90

      Here: 62°F (17°C) · Ideal: 63–75°F (17–24°C)

    • Yearly rain100

      Here: 34 in (875 mm) · Ideal: 20–39 in (500–1,000 mm)

    Long summer days drive cone yield, which is why production clusters between 35° and 55° latitude. Needs a cold winter for dormancy.

    Humulus lupulus. Sources: Neve 1991, Hops (Chapman & Hall); FAO ECOCROP: Humulus lupulus. Ranges not yet reviewed by an agronomist.

  10. 98%fit

    Lavender

    English lavender (L. angustifolia)

    Herb · Perennial

    Holding it back: Summers too cool: 62°F (17°C) here, ideal 63–79°F (17–26°C)

    See it on the chartWhere else it grows
    Why this score ▸
    • Coldest night of the year (average)100

      Here: 23°F (-5°C) · Ideal: at least -11°F (-24°C)

    • Warmest-month average90

      Here: 62°F (17°C) · Ideal: 63–79°F (17–26°C)

    • Coldest-month average100

      Here: 40°F (5°C) · Ideal: at most 50°F (10°C)

    • Frost-free days100

      Here: 226 days · Ideal: at least 120 days

    • Yearly rain95

      Here: 34 in (875 mm) · Ideal: 14–33 in (350–850 mm)

    Dislikes wet winters and humid summers more than cold. Needs sharp drainage.

    Lavandula angustifolia / L. × intermedia. Sources: University extension lavender production guides (e.g. Oregon State, Washington State); FAO ECOCROP: Lavandula angustifolia. Ranges not yet reviewed by an agronomist.

  11. 94%fit

    Hemp

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

    Fiber · Annual · Plant in June

    Holding it back: Growing season too cool: 60°F (15°C) here, ideal 61–79°F (16–26°C)

    See it on the chartWhere else it grows
    Why this score ▸
    • Growing-season average84

      Here: 60°F (15°C) · Ideal: 61–79°F (16–26°C)

    • Coldest growing-season night (monthly average)100

      Here: 49°F (10°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: 17.0 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.

  12. 90%fit

    Apple

    Standard-chill (Honeycrisp, Gala, Fuji)

    Fruit · Perennial

    Holding it back: Not enough summer heat: 1,390 °F·days (772 °C·days) here, ideal at least 1,800 °F·days (1,000 °C·days)

    See it on the chartWhere else it grows
    Why this score ▸
    • Winter chill (9 winters in 10)100

      Here: 128 portions · Ideal: at least 60 portions

    • Coldest night of the year (average)100

      Here: 23°F (-5°C) · Ideal: at least -26°F (-32°C)

    • Frost-free days100

      Here: 226 days · Ideal: at least 140 days

    • Degree days above 50°F (10°C)43

      Here: 1,390 °F·days (772 °C·days) · Ideal: at least 1,800 °F·days (1,000 °C·days)

    • Days above 95°F (35°C)100

      Here: 0 days · Ideal: at most 10 days

    • Yearly rain100

      Here: 34 in (875 mm) · Ideal: 26–51 in (650–1,300 mm)

    Rootstock and variety set cold hardiness; the hardiest survive zone 3. Hot summers hurt colour and cause sunburn.

    Malus domestica. Sources: Luedeling 2012, Climate change impacts on winter chill for temperate fruit and nut production: a review (Scientia Horticulturae); FAO ECOCROP: Malus domestica. Ranges not yet reviewed by an agronomist.

  13. 82%fit

    Pear

    European pear (Bartlett, Conference)

    Fruit · Perennial

    Holding it back: Not enough summer heat: 1,390 °F·days (772 °C·days) here, ideal at least 1,800 °F·days (1,000 °C·days)

    See it on the chartWhere else it grows
    Why this score ▸
    • Winter chill (9 winters in 10)100

      Here: 128 portions · Ideal: at least 60 portions

    • Coldest night of the year (average)100

      Here: 23°F (-5°C) · Ideal: at least -18°F (-28°C)

    • Frost-free days100

      Here: 226 days · Ideal: at least 150 days

    • Degree days above 50°F (10°C)24

      Here: 1,390 °F·days (772 °C·days) · Ideal: at least 1,800 °F·days (1,000 °C·days)

    • Yearly rain100

      Here: 34 in (875 mm) · Ideal: 24–47 in (600–1,200 mm)

    Warm, humid springs raise fire blight risk.

    Pyrus communis / P. pyrifolia. Sources: Luedeling 2012, Climate change impacts on winter chill for temperate fruit and nut production: a review (Scientia Horticulturae); FAO ECOCROP: Pyrus communis. Ranges not yet reviewed by an agronomist.

Worth a try (50–79)

  1. 75%fit

    Sunflower

    Oilseed · Annual · Plant in June

    Holding it back: Growing season too cool: 60°F (15°C) here, ideal 64–82°F (18–28°C)

    See it on the chartWhere else it grows
    Why this score ▸
    • Growing-season average56

      Here: 60°F (15°C) · Ideal: 64–82°F (18–28°C)

    • Coldest growing-season night (monthly average)100

      Here: 49°F (10°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.

  2. 67%fit

    Tomato

    Vegetable · Annual · Plant in June

    Holding it back: Growing season too cool: 60°F (15°C) here, ideal 64–81°F (18–27°C)

    See it on the chartWhere else it grows
    Why this score ▸
    • Growing-season average47

      Here: 60°F (15°C) · Ideal: 64–81°F (18–27°C)

    • Coldest growing-season night (monthly average)90

      Here: 49°F (10°C) · Ideal: at least 50°F (10°C)

    • Growing-season rain100

      Here: 11 in (286 mm) · Ideal: 9.8–24 in (250–600 mm)

    Fruit set fails when nights drop below ~10 °C or days top ~35 °C. Wet seasons bring blight.

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

  3. 57%fit

    Soybean

    Oilseed · Annual · Plant in June

    Holding it back: Growing season too cool: 60°F (15°C) here, ideal 68–86°F (20–30°C)

    Needs irrigation · 37 withoutSee it on the chartWhere else it grows
    Why this score ▸
    • Growing-season average34

      Here: 60°F (15°C) · Ideal: 68–86°F (20–30°C)

    • Coldest growing-season night (monthly average)92

      Here: 49°F (10°C) · Ideal: at least 50°F (10°C)

    • Growing-season rain100

      Here: 11 in (286 mm) · Ideal: 18–35 in (450–900 mm) · covered by irrigation

    Maturity groups are matched to latitude because flowering is triggered by shortening days.

    Glycine max. Sources: FAO ECOCROP: Glycine max; FAO Crop Water Information: soybean. Ranges not yet reviewed by an agronomist.

  4. 55%fit

    Maize (corn)

    Grain · Annual · Plant in June

    Holding it back: Not enough summer heat: 1,390 °F·days (772 °C·days) here, ideal at least 1,980 °F·days (1,100 °C·days)

    See it on the chartWhere else it grows
    Why this score ▸
    • Growing-season average56

      Here: 60°F (15°C) · Ideal: 64–86°F (18–30°C)

    • Coldest growing-season night (monthly average)92

      Here: 49°F (10°C) · Ideal: at least 50°F (10°C)

    • Growing-season rain100

      Here: 11 in (286 mm) · Ideal: 16–35 in (400–900 mm) · covered by irrigation

    • Degree days above 50°F (10°C)18

      Here: 1,390 °F·days (772 °C·days) · Ideal: at least 1,980 °F·days (1,100 °C·days)

    Hybrids are matched to season length by relative maturity. Heat over ~35 °C at silking hurts pollination.

    Zea mays. Sources: FAO ECOCROP: Zea mays; FAO Irrigation and Drainage Paper 33 (Doorenbos & Kassam 1979, Yield response to water). Ranges not yet reviewed by an agronomist.

Long shots (1)▸
  1. 20%fit

    Sorghum

    Grain · Annual · Plant in June

    Holding it back: Growing season too cool: 60°F (15°C) here, ideal 72–91°F (22–33°C)

    See it on the chartWhere else it grows
    Why this score ▸
    • Growing-season average5

      Here: 60°F (15°C) · Ideal: 72–91°F (22–33°C)

    • Coldest growing-season night (monthly average)58

      Here: 49°F (10°C) · Ideal: at least 54°F (12°C)

    • Growing-season rain100

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

    Handles heat and drought better than maize.

    Sorghum bicolor. Sources: FAO ECOCROP: Sorghum bicolor; FAO Crop Water Information: sorghum. Ranges not yet reviewed by an agronomist.

Won't grow here (24)▸
  • Almond: Not enough summer heat: 1,390 °F·days (772 °C·days) here, ideal at least 3,420 °F·days (1,900 °C·days)
  • Avocado: Winters get too cold: 23°F (-5°C) here, ideal at least 32°F (0°C)
  • Banana: Winters too cold: 40°F (5°C) here, ideal at least 61°F (16°C)
  • Cacao: Winters too cold: 40°F (5°C) here, ideal at least 68°F (20°C)
  • Cassava: Too cool overall: 50°F (10°C) here, ideal 72–86°F (22–30°C)
  • Citrus: Winters get too cold: 23°F (-5°C) here, ideal at least 28°F (-2°C)
  • Coffee (arabica): Too cool overall: 50°F (10°C) here, ideal 64–72°F (18–22°C)
  • Cotton: Growing season too cool: 57°F (14°C) here, ideal 72–90°F (22–32°C)
  • Date palm: Summers too cool: 62°F (17°C) here, ideal 88–104°F (31–40°C)
  • Fig: Summers too cool: 62°F (17°C) here, ideal 72–90°F (22–32°C)
  • Kiwifruit: Not enough summer heat: 1,390 °F·days (772 °C·days) here, ideal at least 2,520 °F·days (1,400 °C·days)
  • Macadamia: Winters get too cold: 23°F (-5°C) here, ideal at least 30°F (-1°C)
  • Mango: Winters get too cold: 23°F (-5°C) here, ideal at least 39°F (4°C)
  • Olive: Summers too cool: 62°F (17°C) here, ideal 73–86°F (23–30°C)
  • Peach: Not enough summer heat: 1,390 °F·days (772 °C·days) here, ideal at least 2,340 °F·days (1,300 °C·days)
  • Peanut: Growing season too cool: 45°F (7°C) here, ideal 72–86°F (22–30°C)
  • Pecan: Not enough summer heat: 1,390 °F·days (772 °C·days) here, ideal at least 4,320 °F·days (2,400 °C·days)
  • Pistachio: Summers too cool: 62°F (17°C) here, ideal 79–91°F (26–33°C)
  • Rice: Growing season too cool: 60°F (15°C) here, ideal 72–88°F (22–31°C)
  • Saffron: Summers too cool: 62°F (17°C) here, ideal 68–82°F (20–28°C)
  • Sugarcane: Too cool overall: 50°F (10°C) here, ideal 72–86°F (22–30°C)
  • Tea: Too cool overall: 50°F (10°C) here, ideal 61–77°F (16–25°C)
  • Walnut: Not enough summer heat: 1,390 °F·days (772 °C·days) here, ideal at least 2,700 °F·days (1,500 °C·days)
  • Wine grapes: Too cool to ripen: 1,370 °F·days (761 °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 season20°40°60°80°JFMAMJJASONDHigh Jan: 45°High Feb: 46°High Mar: 50°High Apr: 55°High May: 61°High Jun: 67°High Jul: 71°High Aug: 69°High Sep: 64°High Oct: 57°High Nov: 50°High Dec: 46°Low Jan: 35°Low Feb: 35°Low Mar: 37°Low Apr: 40°Low May: 45°Low Jun: 50°Low Jul: 54°Low Aug: 53°Low Sep: 49°Low Oct: 44°Low Nov: 39°Low Dec: 36°Average Jan: 40°Average Feb: 40°Average Mar: 44°Average Apr: 48°Average May: 53°Average Jun: 59°Average Jul: 62°Average Aug: 61°Average Sep: 57°Average Oct: 51°Average Nov: 45°Average Dec: 41°

Rain (in per month)

 

024JFMAMJJASONDRain Jan: 3.2Rain Feb: 2.7Rain Mar: 2.4Rain Apr: 2.3Rain May: 2.1Rain Jun: 3.0Rain Jul: 2.6Rain Aug: 2.9Rain Sep: 2.7Rain Oct: 3.4Rain Nov: 3.4Rain Dec: 3.8
  • Ideal average in the growing season: 55–68°F. Compare with the gray dashed average line.
  • Growing season: May–Aug
  • Ideal rain over the growing season: 14–28 in. Here: 11 in, so plan on irrigation.

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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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