When to Plant in Alaska: Vegetable & Flower Planting Calendar
Quick answer
Plant around your local last spring frost: across the 161 Alaska ZIP codes where frost comes in most years, the median is May 20 and the median first fall frost is Sep 22 (nearest NOAA station, 1991–2020). Transplant tomatoes 1–2 weeks after your last frost: Zone 2 areas: May 31 – Jun 7; Zone 3 areas: Jun 4 – Jun 11; Zone 4 areas: May 31 – Jun 7; Zone 5 areas: May 16 – May 23; Zone 7 areas: May 12 – May 19; Zone 8 areas: May 8 – May 15.
Alaska spans USDA hardiness zones 1a–8b on the 2023 USDA map (by ZIP code, via PRISM). For the 161 of its 245 ZIP codes where frost comes in most years, the nearest NOAA station’s median last spring frost (32°F, 1991–2020) is May 20 (middle 80% of ZIP codes: May 1 – Jun 4) and the median first fall frost is Sep 22 (Aug 28 – Oct 18). Use this guide to time seed-starting, transplanting and fall planting.
Where these dates come from: every date range is counted from the median (50% probability) 32°F last spring and first fall frost dates in NOAA’s 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals for the area shown. The rule under each date, such as “4–6 weeks before last frost,” shows how it was counted. These are averages: in about half of years a frost still comes after the spring date, and elevation, nearby water and microclimate can shift your yard by a week or more. For dates for your exact location, enter your ZIP code in the planner.
How we count planting dates: the weeks before or after frost for each crop come from university extension planting guides: UNH Extension, When to Plant Your Vegetable Garden; Rutgers FS787, Starting Vegetable Seeds Indoors; Virginia Tech 426-331, Home Garden Vegetable Planting Guide; University of Maryland Extension, Vegetable Planting Calendar; and University of Idaho CIS 1209 (marigolds and zinnias). Bulb windows approximate Rutgers’ rule to plant when soil falls below 60°F (FS1220), and garlic follows SDSU, Illinois and Virginia Tech. Temperature notes: UMD (potatoes), UMN (sweet corn), UC ANR (peppers, hardening off), UMN (eggplant), Colorado State (tomatoes) and SDSU (hardening off).
No nearby frost data for some ZIP codes: 84 of Alaska’s 245 ZIP codes have no NOAA freeze-data station within 60 miles, so they aren’t counted above. If you know your local frost dates, enter them in the planner.
Alaska frost dates by zone area
| Zone areas | Most common nearest NOAA stations | Median last spring frost (32°F) | Median first fall frost (32°F) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 2 (24 ZIP codes) | Mcgrath Airport, AK, Clear Sky, AK, Kaltag Airport, AK | May 24middle 80%: May 13 – Jun 5 | Sep 5middle 80%: Sep 1 – Sep 17 |
| Zone 3 (22 ZIP codes) | Bethel Airport, AK, Mile 42 Steese, AK, Ester, AK | May 28middle 80%: May 21 – Jun 6 | Sep 2middle 80%: Aug 24 – Sep 22 |
| Zone 4 (30 ZIP codes) | Bethel Airport, AK, King Salmon, AK, Soldotna 5Ssw, AK | May 24middle 80%: May 10 – Jun 4 | Sep 15middle 80%: Sep 3 – Sep 26 |
| Zone 5 (32 ZIP codes) | Anchorage Merrill Fld, AK, Anchorage Lake Hood Airport, AK, Anchorage Forecast Office, AK | May 9middle 80%: May 1 – May 26 | Sep 29middle 80%: Sep 15 – Oct 3 |
| Zone 7 (28 ZIP codes) | Cold Bay Airport, AK, Kodiak Airport, AK, Thorne Bay, AK | May 5middle 80%: Apr 20 – May 25 | Oct 11middle 80%: Oct 3 – Oct 25 |
| Zone 8 (9 ZIP codes) | Dutch Harbor, AK, Valdez, AK, Port Alexander, AK | May 1middle 80%: Apr 14 – May 6 | Oct 18middle 80%: Oct 13 – Nov 1 |
Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, annual/seasonal freeze-date probabilities (32°F, 50% probability). Station-level medians; your yard may differ.
How this table is built: each Alaska ZIP code is matched to its nearest NOAA 1991–2020 freeze-data station (within 60 miles) and grouped by its 2023 USDA hardiness zone; dates are medians across the ZIP codes in each group. Zone groups with fewer than 5% of ZIP codes (16 ZIP codes) are left out of the columns. For your own ZIP, use the planner.
Alaska vegetable planting calendar
Planting dates for each zone area of Alaska, counted from that area’s median frost dates (shown under each column). Rows run in calendar order. For your exact dates, enter your ZIP.
| Plant, task and rule | Zone 2 areasLast frost May 24 · First frost Sep 5 | Zone 3 areasLast frost May 28 · First frost Sep 2 | Zone 4 areasLast frost May 24 · First frost Sep 15 | Zone 5 areasLast frost May 9 · First frost Sep 29 | Zone 7 areasLast frost May 5 · First frost Oct 11 | Zone 8 areasLast frost May 1 · First frost Oct 18 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Broccoli · Start indoors8–10 weeks before last frost | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | Mar 19 – Apr 2 | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | Feb 20 – Mar 6 |
| Cabbage · Start indoors8–10 weeks before last frost | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | Mar 19 – Apr 2 | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | Feb 20 – Mar 6 |
| Kale · Start indoors8–10 weeks before last frost | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | Mar 19 – Apr 2 | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | Feb 20 – Mar 6 |
| Tomatoes · Start indoors6–8 weeks before last frost | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | Mar 6 – Mar 20 |
| Peppers · Start indoors6–8 weeks before last frost | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | Mar 6 – Mar 20 |
| Eggplant · Start indoors6–8 weeks before last frost | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | Mar 6 – Mar 20 |
| Peas · Direct sow4–6 weeks before last frost | Apr 12 – Apr 26Harvest (est.) Jun 11 – Jul 15 | Apr 16 – Apr 30Harvest (est.) Jun 15 – Jul 19 | Apr 12 – Apr 26Harvest (est.) Jun 11 – Jul 15 | Mar 28 – Apr 11Harvest (est.) May 27 – Jun 30 | Mar 24 – Apr 7Harvest (est.) May 23 – Jun 26 | Mar 20 – Apr 3Harvest (est.) May 19 – Jun 22 |
| Spinach · Direct sow4–6 weeks before last frost | Apr 12 – Apr 26Harvest (est.) May 27 – Jun 25 | Apr 16 – Apr 30Harvest (est.) May 31 – Jun 29 | Apr 12 – Apr 26Harvest (est.) May 27 – Jun 25 | Mar 28 – Apr 11Harvest (est.) May 12 – Jun 10 | Mar 24 – Apr 7Harvest (est.) May 8 – Jun 6 | Mar 20 – Apr 3Harvest (est.) May 4 – Jun 2 |
| Basil · Start indoors4–6 weeks before last frost | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | Apr 16 – Apr 30 | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | Mar 20 – Apr 3 |
| Radishes · Direct sow2–5 weeks before last frost | Apr 19 – May 10Harvest (est.) May 9 – Jun 9 | Apr 23 – May 14Harvest (est.) May 13 – Jun 13 | Apr 19 – May 10Harvest (est.) May 9 – Jun 9 | Apr 4 – Apr 25Harvest (est.) Apr 24 – May 25 | Mar 31 – Apr 21Harvest (est.) Apr 20 – May 21 | Mar 27 – Apr 17Harvest (est.) Apr 16 – May 17 |
| Lettuce · Direct sow2–4 weeks before last frost | Apr 26 – May 10Harvest (est.) Jun 25 – Jul 29 | Apr 30 – May 14Harvest (est.) Jun 29 – Aug 2 | Apr 26 – May 10Harvest (est.) Jun 25 – Jul 29 | Apr 11 – Apr 25Harvest (est.) Jun 10 – Jul 14 | Apr 7 – Apr 21Harvest (est.) Jun 6 – Jul 10 | Apr 3 – Apr 17Harvest (est.) Jun 2 – Jul 6 |
| Onions (sets/transplants) · Plant sets/transplants2–4 weeks before last frost | Apr 26 – May 10Harvest (est.) Jul 20 – Sep 7 | Apr 30 – May 14Harvest (est.) Jul 24 – Sep 11 | Apr 26 – May 10Harvest (est.) Jul 20 – Sep 7 | Apr 11 – Apr 25Harvest (est.) Jul 5 – Aug 23 | Apr 7 – Apr 21Harvest (est.) Jul 1 – Aug 19 | Apr 3 – Apr 17Harvest (est.) Jun 27 – Aug 15 |
| Broccoli · Transplant2–4 weeks before last frost | Apr 26 – May 10Harvest (est.) Jun 15 – Jul 19 | Apr 30 – May 14Harvest (est.) Jun 19 – Jul 23 | Apr 26 – May 10Harvest (est.) Jun 15 – Jul 19 | Apr 11 – Apr 25Harvest (est.) May 31 – Jul 4 | Apr 7 – Apr 21Harvest (est.) May 27 – Jun 30 | Apr 3 – Apr 17Harvest (est.) May 23 – Jun 26 |
| Cabbage · Transplant2–4 weeks before last frost | Apr 26 – May 10Harvest (est.) Jul 5 – Aug 8 | Apr 30 – May 14Harvest (est.) Jul 9 – Aug 12 | Apr 26 – May 10Harvest (est.) Jul 5 – Aug 8 | Apr 11 – Apr 25Harvest (est.) Jun 20 – Jul 24 | Apr 7 – Apr 21Harvest (est.) Jun 16 – Jul 20 | Apr 3 – Apr 17Harvest (est.) Jun 12 – Jul 16 |
| Kale · Transplant2–4 weeks before last frost | Apr 26 – May 10 | Apr 30 – May 14 | Apr 26 – May 10 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 |
| Marigolds · Start indoors0–3 weeks before last frost (3–4 weeks before setting out; Univ. of Idaho) | May 3 – May 24 | May 7 – May 28 | May 3 – May 24 | Apr 18 – May 9 | Apr 14 – May 5 | Apr 10 – May 1 |
| Zinnias · Start indoors0–3 weeks before last frost (3–4 weeks before setting out; Univ. of Idaho) | May 3 – May 24 | May 7 – May 28 | May 3 – May 24 | Apr 18 – May 9 | Apr 14 – May 5 | Apr 10 – May 1 |
| Potatoes · Plant seed potatoes1–2 weeks before last frost | May 10 – May 17Harvest (est.) Aug 3 – Sep 4 | May 14 – May 21Harvest (est.) Aug 7 – Sep 8 | May 10 – May 17Harvest (est.) Aug 3 – Sep 4 | Apr 25 – May 2Harvest (est.) Jul 19 – Aug 20 | Apr 21 – Apr 28Harvest (est.) Jul 15 – Aug 16 | Apr 17 – Apr 24Harvest (est.) Jul 11 – Aug 12 |
| Marigolds · Direct sow / transplantfrom the last frost to 2 weeks after (Univ. of Idaho) | May 24 – Jun 7 | May 28 – Jun 11 | May 24 – Jun 7 | May 9 – May 23 | May 5 – May 19 | May 1 – May 15 |
| Zinnias · Direct sow / transplantfrom the last frost to 2 weeks after (Univ. of Idaho) | May 24 – Jun 7 | May 28 – Jun 11 | May 24 – Jun 7 | May 9 – May 23 | May 5 – May 19 | May 1 – May 15 |
| Tomatoes · Transplant1–2 weeks after last frost | May 31 – Jun 7Harvest (est.) Aug 9 – Sep 5 | Jun 4 – Jun 11Harvest (est.) Aug 13 – Sep 2 (first fall frost) | May 31 – Jun 7Harvest (est.) Aug 9 – Sep 5 | May 16 – May 23Harvest (est.) Jul 25 – Aug 21 | May 12 – May 19Harvest (est.) Jul 21 – Aug 17 | May 8 – May 15Harvest (est.) Jul 17 – Aug 13 |
| Beans (bush & pole) · Direct sow1–2 weeks after last frost | May 31 – Jun 7Harvest (est.) Jul 15 – Aug 16 | Jun 4 – Jun 11Harvest (est.) Jul 19 – Aug 20 | May 31 – Jun 7Harvest (est.) Jul 15 – Aug 16 | May 16 – May 23Harvest (est.) Jun 30 – Aug 1 | May 12 – May 19Harvest (est.) Jun 26 – Jul 28 | May 8 – May 15Harvest (est.) Jun 22 – Jul 24 |
| Sweet corn · Direct sow1–2 weeks after last frost | May 31 – Jun 7Harvest (est.) Aug 4 – Sep 5 | Jun 4 – Jun 11Harvest (est.) Aug 8 – Sep 2 (first fall frost) | May 31 – Jun 7Harvest (est.) Aug 4 – Sep 5 | May 16 – May 23Harvest (est.) Jul 20 – Aug 21 | May 12 – May 19Harvest (est.) Jul 16 – Aug 17 | May 8 – May 15Harvest (est.) Jul 12 – Aug 13 |
| Cucumbers · Direct sow1–2 weeks after last frost | May 31 – Jun 7Harvest (est.) Jul 10 – Aug 11 | Jun 4 – Jun 11Harvest (est.) Jul 14 – Aug 15 | May 31 – Jun 7Harvest (est.) Jul 10 – Aug 11 | May 16 – May 23Harvest (est.) Jun 25 – Jul 27 | May 12 – May 19Harvest (est.) Jun 21 – Jul 23 | May 8 – May 15Harvest (est.) Jun 17 – Jul 19 |
| Squash · Direct sow1–2 weeks after last frost | May 31 – Jun 7Harvest (est.) Jul 10 – Jul 27 | Jun 4 – Jun 11Harvest (est.) Jul 14 – Jul 31 | May 31 – Jun 7Harvest (est.) Jul 10 – Jul 27 | May 16 – May 23Harvest (est.) Jun 25 – Jul 12 | May 12 – May 19Harvest (est.) Jun 21 – Jul 8 | May 8 – May 15Harvest (est.) Jun 17 – Jul 4 |
| Pumpkins · Direct sow1–3 weeks after last frost | May 31 – Jun 14Harvest (est.) Aug 19 – Sep 5 (first fall frost) | Jun 4 – Jun 18Harvest (est.) Aug 23 – Sep 2 (first fall frost) | May 31 – Jun 14Harvest (est.) Aug 19 – Sep 15 (first fall frost) | May 16 – May 30Harvest (est.) Aug 4 – Sep 7 | May 12 – May 26Harvest (est.) Jul 31 – Sep 3 | May 8 – May 22Harvest (est.) Jul 27 – Aug 30 |
| Basil · Transplant1–2 weeks after last frost | May 31 – Jun 7Harvest (est.) Jul 12 – Jul 19 | Jun 4 – Jun 11Harvest (est.) Jul 16 – Jul 23 | May 31 – Jun 7Harvest (est.) Jul 12 – Jul 19 | May 16 – May 23Harvest (est.) Jun 27 – Jul 4 | May 12 – May 19Harvest (est.) Jun 23 – Jun 30 | May 8 – May 15Harvest (est.) Jun 19 – Jun 26 |
| Peppers · Transplant2–3 weeks after last frost | Jun 7 – Jun 14Harvest (est.) Aug 11 – Aug 28 | Jun 11 – Jun 18Harvest (est.) Aug 15 – Sep 1 | Jun 7 – Jun 14Harvest (est.) Aug 11 – Aug 28 | May 23 – May 30Harvest (est.) Jul 27 – Aug 13 | May 19 – May 26Harvest (est.) Jul 23 – Aug 9 | May 15 – May 22Harvest (est.) Jul 19 – Aug 5 |
| Eggplant · Transplant2–3 weeks after last frost | Jun 7 – Jun 14Harvest (est.) Aug 16 – Sep 5 (first fall frost) | Jun 11 – Jun 18Harvest (est.) Aug 20 – Sep 2 (first fall frost) | Jun 7 – Jun 14Harvest (est.) Aug 16 – Sep 12 | May 23 – May 30Harvest (est.) Aug 1 – Aug 28 | May 19 – May 26Harvest (est.) Jul 28 – Aug 24 | May 15 – May 22Harvest (est.) Jul 24 – Aug 20 |
| Broccoli · Fall transplant10–12 weeks before first fall frost | Jun 13 – Jun 27Harvest (est.) Aug 2 – Sep 5 | Jun 10 – Jun 24Harvest (est.) Jul 30 – Sep 2 | Jun 23 – Jul 7Harvest (est.) Aug 12 – Sep 15 | Jul 7 – Jul 21Harvest (est.) Aug 26 – Sep 29 | Jul 19 – Aug 2Harvest (est.) Sep 7 – Oct 11 | Jul 26 – Aug 9Harvest (est.) Sep 14 – Oct 18 |
| Cabbage · Fall transplant10–12 weeks before first fall frost | Jun 13 – Jun 27Harvest (est.) Aug 22 – Sep 25 | Jun 10 – Jun 24Harvest (est.) Aug 19 – Sep 22 | Jun 23 – Jul 7Harvest (est.) Sep 1 – Oct 5 | Jul 7 – Jul 21Harvest (est.) Sep 15 – Oct 19 | Jul 19 – Aug 2Harvest (est.) Sep 27 – Oct 31 | Jul 26 – Aug 9Harvest (est.) Oct 4 – Nov 7 |
| Kale · Fall sow8–10 weeks before first fall frost | Jun 27 – Jul 11Harvest (est.) Aug 16 – Sep 19 | Jun 24 – Jul 8Harvest (est.) Aug 13 – Sep 16 | Jul 7 – Jul 21Harvest (est.) Aug 26 – Sep 29 | Jul 21 – Aug 4Harvest (est.) Sep 9 – Oct 13 | Aug 2 – Aug 16Harvest (est.) Sep 21 – Oct 25 | Aug 9 – Aug 23Harvest (est.) Sep 28 – Nov 1 |
| Lettuce · Fall sow6–8 weeks before first fall frost | Jul 11 – Jul 25Harvest (est.) Sep 9 – Oct 13 | Jul 8 – Jul 22Harvest (est.) Sep 6 – Oct 10 | Jul 21 – Aug 4Harvest (est.) Sep 19 – Oct 23 | Aug 4 – Aug 18Harvest (est.) Oct 3 – Nov 6 | Aug 16 – Aug 30Harvest (est.) Oct 15 – Nov 18 | Aug 23 – Sep 6Harvest (est.) Oct 22 – Nov 25 |
| Spinach · Fall sow4–7 weeks before first fall frost (Virginia Tech) | Jul 18 – Aug 8Harvest (est.) Sep 1 – Oct 7 | Jul 15 – Aug 5Harvest (est.) Aug 29 – Oct 4 | Jul 28 – Aug 18Harvest (est.) Sep 11 – Oct 17 | Aug 11 – Sep 1Harvest (est.) Sep 25 – Oct 31 | Aug 23 – Sep 13Harvest (est.) Oct 7 – Nov 12 | Aug 30 – Sep 20Harvest (est.) Oct 14 – Nov 19 |
| Radishes · Fall sow4–6 weeks before first fall frost | Jul 25 – Aug 8Harvest (est.) Aug 14 – Sep 7 | Jul 22 – Aug 5Harvest (est.) Aug 11 – Sep 4 | Aug 4 – Aug 18Harvest (est.) Aug 24 – Sep 17 | Aug 18 – Sep 1Harvest (est.) Sep 7 – Oct 1 | Aug 30 – Sep 13Harvest (est.) Sep 19 – Oct 13 | Sep 6 – Sep 20Harvest (est.) Sep 26 – Oct 20 |
| Daffodils · Fall plant bulbs4 weeks before to 2 weeks after first fall frost (our approximation of when soil falls below 60°F; Rutgers) | Aug 8 – Sep 19 | Aug 5 – Sep 16 | Aug 18 – Sep 29 | Sep 1 – Oct 13 | Sep 13 – Oct 25 | Sep 20 – Nov 1 |
| Tulips · Fall plant bulbs2 weeks before to 4 weeks after first fall frost (our approximation of when soil falls below 60°F; Rutgers) | Aug 22 – Oct 3 | Aug 19 – Sep 30 | Sep 1 – Oct 13 | Sep 15 – Oct 27 | Sep 27 – Nov 8 | Oct 4 – Nov 15 |
| Garlic · Fall plant cloves2 weeks before to 3 weeks after first fall frost, while the soil is still workable (SDSU, Illinois, Virginia Tech) | Aug 22 – Sep 26Harvest (est.) Apr 29, 2027 – Jun 23, 2027 | Aug 19 – Sep 23Harvest (est.) Apr 26, 2027 – Jun 20, 2027 | Sep 1 – Oct 6Harvest (est.) May 9, 2027 – Jul 3, 2027 | Sep 15 – Oct 20Harvest (est.) May 23, 2027 – Jul 17, 2027 | Sep 27 – Nov 1Harvest (est.) Jun 4, 2027 – Jul 29, 2027 | Oct 4 – Nov 8Harvest (est.) Jun 11, 2027 – Aug 5, 2027 |
About the harvest estimates
Each expected harvest window adds the days to harvest from the sources below to the planting window. Days count from sowing seed (or planting seed potatoes, onion sets or garlic cloves) or, where marked, from setting transplants out; “Start indoors” rows have no harvest of their own. Harvest timing varies with variety and weather, and many crops keep producing for weeks after the first picking. For frost-tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, beans, sweet corn, cucumbers, squash, pumpkins, basil) the window stops at the first fall frost: harvest may end early at the first fall frost. Flowers and bulbs show no harvest window, and kale has no sourced figure for spring transplants.
Sources: UF/IFAS Extension, Florida Vegetable Gardening Guide (SP103/VH021), Table 1, “Days to Harvest”; University of Maryland Extension, Growing Onions in a Home Garden; University of Maryland Extension, Growing Garlic in a Home Garden; University of Maryland Extension, Growing Basil in a Home Garden.
Growing notes for each crop
- Peas: Tolerates light frost; sow when soil is workable
- Spinach: Fall crop too: sow 4–7 weeks before first fall frost (Virginia Tech)
- Lettuce: Bolts in heat; succession sow; fall crop too
- Radishes: Fast (3–4 weeks); sow again for fall (see Fall sow dates)
- Kale: Fall crop too (see Fall sow dates); frost sweetens leaves
- Onions (sets/transplants): Choose day-length type suited to your latitude
- Potatoes: Soil at least 45°F (UMD); hill as plants grow
- Broccoli: Cool-season; harden off; good fall crop
- Cabbage: Cool-season; harden off; good fall crop
- Tomatoes: Wait for nights reliably above about 52°F (Colorado State)
- Peppers: Need warm soil: about 65°F is optimal for transplanting (UC ANR)
- Eggplant: Transplant after nights stay above 50°F (UMN)
- Beans (bush & pole): Seeds rot in cold, wet soil
- Sweet corn: Soil 60°F+ (UNH, UMN); plant in blocks for pollination
- Cucumbers: Frost-tender; watch for cucumber beetles
- Squash: Frost-tender; watch for squash vine borer
- Pumpkins: For October pumpkins, many sow in late May–June
- Basil: Very cold-sensitive
- Marigolds: Easy warm-season annual
- Zinnias: Easy warm-season annual
- Tulips: Our frost-date window is an approximation of that soil rule. In zone 9, chill bulbs 12–16 weeks first (Clemson)
- Daffodils: Our frost-date window is an approximation of that soil rule; slightly earlier than tulips is fine
- Garlic: Harvest the following early summer
Alaska USDA zone guides: Zone 1 planting guide Zone 2 planting guide Zone 3 planting guide Zone 4 planting guide Zone 5 planting guide Zone 6 planting guide Zone 7 planting guide Zone 8 planting guide
How we count planting dates: the weeks before or after frost for each crop come from university extension planting guides: UNH Extension, When to Plant Your Vegetable Garden; Rutgers FS787, Starting Vegetable Seeds Indoors; Virginia Tech 426-331, Home Garden Vegetable Planting Guide; University of Maryland Extension, Vegetable Planting Calendar; and University of Idaho CIS 1209 (marigolds and zinnias). Bulb windows approximate Rutgers’ rule to plant when soil falls below 60°F (FS1220), and garlic follows SDSU, Illinois and Virginia Tech. Temperature notes: UMD (potatoes), UMN (sweet corn), UC ANR (peppers, hardening off), UMN (eggplant), Colorado State (tomatoes) and SDSU (hardening off).
Tips for Alaska gardeners
- Watch soil temperature, not just the calendar — warm-season crops stall in cold soil. An inexpensive soil thermometer helps.
- Harden off transplants over 7–10 days before planting out (UC ANR, SDSU).
- Ask your local Cooperative Extension office about varieties and timing for your county; find it in the USDA NIFA land-grant university directory.
- Keep weeds down early — see our weed identification guide.
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Alaska?
Across the 161 Alaska ZIP codes where frost comes in most years, the median last spring frost (32°F, NOAA 1991–2020) at the nearest station is May 20, and the middle 80% of ZIP codes range from May 1 to Jun 4. Check the average for your ZIP code, and remember frost can occur after the average date.
When can I plant tomatoes in Alaska?
Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after your average last frost, once nights stay above about 52°F (Colorado State). Typical dates: Zone 2 areas: May 31 – Jun 7; Zone 3 areas: Jun 4 – Jun 11; Zone 4 areas: May 31 – Jun 7; Zone 5 areas: May 16 – May 23; Zone 7 areas: May 12 – May 19; Zone 8 areas: May 8 – May 15.
What USDA zone is Alaska?
Alaska spans roughly USDA hardiness zones 1a–8b on the 2023 USDA map (by ZIP code, via PRISM). Hardiness zones describe winter low temperatures, not frost dates.
Other state planting calendars
Alabama Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware District of Columbia Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming All states