Chicken, AK frost dates

Gardening where frost is possible all year

The weather station nearest Chicken, AK records freezing temperatures in every month often enough that NOAA cannot define a frost-free season. Gardening is still possible — it just means planning for frost at any time:

• Grow fast, cold-tolerant crops: Radishes, Lettuce, Spinach, Kale, Peas, Potatoes, Swiss Chard, Garlic.
• Plant once the soil can be worked — usually late spring to early summer at high elevation — and keep row covers ready for clear, still nights.
• Use season extension: cold frames, low tunnels, wall-of-water cloches or a greenhouse turn a few frost-free weeks into a real season.
• Frost-tender crops (tomatoes, squash, beans) need protection all season; choose the earliest varieties you can find.

About these dates

Based on 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for the Chicken, AK weather station, 2 km away (elevation 1,801 ft (549 m)).

Frost dates near Chicken

• Eagle May 29 · Aug 23
• Tok Jun 3 · Aug 27
• Tanacross frost any month
• Northway May 26 · Sep 1
• Delta Junction May 17 · Sep 7
• Central frost any month
• Circle May 25 · Aug 26
• Fort Greely May 26 · Sep 2
• Salcha May 20 · Sep 1
• Two Rivers May 30 · Sep 2

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Chicken, AK?

Chicken, AK can freeze in any month, so there is no reliable last frost date. The nearest NOAA station averages 274 nights a year at or below 32°F.

What can I grow in Chicken, AK?

Fast, cold-tolerant crops such as radishes, lettuce, spinach, kale, peas and potatoes, ideally under row covers, cold frames or a greenhouse. Frost-tender crops like tomatoes need protection all season.