Cold Bay, AK frost dates
Last spring frostMay 25median date
First fall frostOct 4median date
Growing season132 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone7aZone 7a
How Cold Bay compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Cold Bay falls between May 9 and June 10, a 32-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 20 and October 20.
- The median last frost is 4 days later than the Alaska median of May 21.
- Its 132-day growing season is longer than 68% of the 165 Alaska places with a regular frost season (state median 124 days).
- The last frost is 39 days later than the zone 7a median of Apr 16. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 7a chart.
- The weather station records an average of 148 nights a year at or below 32°F.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | May 9 |
| 50% (median) | May 25 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | June 10 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 20 |
| 50% (median) | October 4 |
| 90% (late) | October 20 |
Frost here means 32°F (0°C). A median date means half of years have their last frost earlier and half later.
Planting calendar for Cold Bay, AK
Cold Bay, AK frost dates — last frost May 25, first frost Oct 4, zone 7a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Mar 2 to Mar 16Transplant outside: Apr 27 to May 11
Start indoors: Mar 16 to Mar 30Transplant outside: Jun 8 to Jun 22
Start indoors: Mar 16 to Mar 30Transplant outside: Jun 8 to Jun 22
Start indoors: Mar 30 to Apr 13Transplant outside: Jun 1 to Jun 15
Start indoors: Mar 30 to Apr 13Transplant outside: May 4 to May 18Sow outdoors: Apr 27 to Jun 1Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Sep 6
Start indoors: Mar 30 to Apr 13Transplant outside: Apr 27 to May 11Sow outdoors: Apr 27 to May 11Plant for fall: Jul 26 to Aug 16
Start indoors: Mar 30 to Apr 13Transplant outside: May 11 to May 25Plant for fall: Jun 28 to Jul 19
Start indoors: Mar 30 to Apr 13Transplant outside: May 4 to May 18Plant for fall: Jun 28 to Jul 19
Start indoors: Mar 30 to Apr 13Transplant outside: May 11 to May 25Plant for fall: Jun 28 to Jul 19
Start indoors: Apr 13 to Apr 27Transplant outside: Jun 15 to Jun 29Sow outdoors: Jun 15 to Jun 29
Start indoors: Apr 13 to Apr 27Transplant outside: Jun 1 to Jun 15
Sow outdoors: Apr 13 to May 4Plant for fall: Jul 12 to Aug 2
Sow outdoors: Apr 13 to May 4Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Aug 30
Sow outdoors: Apr 20 to Jun 1Plant for fall: Aug 23 to Sep 13
Start indoors: Apr 27 to May 4Transplant outside: Jun 8 to Jun 15Sow outdoors: Jun 1 to Jun 15Plant for fall: Jul 19 to Aug 2
Start indoors: Apr 27 to May 4Sow outdoors: Jun 1 to Jun 15Plant for fall: Jul 26 to Aug 9
Start indoors: Apr 27 to May 4Sow outdoors: Jun 1 to Jun 15
Start indoors: Apr 27 to May 4Transplant outside: Jun 8 to Jun 22
Sow outdoors: May 4 to Jun 1Plant for fall: Jul 12 to Jul 26
Sow outdoors: May 4 to Jun 1Plant for fall: Jul 26 to Aug 9
Sow outdoors: May 4 to May 25
Sow outdoors: May 11 to Jun 8Plant for fall: Jul 26 to Aug 9
Sow outdoors: May 11 to Jun 1Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Aug 30
Sow outdoors: Jun 1 to Jun 22Plant for fall: Jul 19 to Aug 2
Sow outdoors: Jun 1 to Jun 15
Transplant outside: Jun 8 to Jun 29
Plant for fall: Sep 20 to Oct 25
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Cold Bay, AK
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | Apr 27 – May 11 | — | — |
| Peppers | Mar 16 – Mar 30 | Jun 8 – Jun 22 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Mar 16 – Mar 30 | Jun 8 – Jun 22 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | Jun 1 – Jun 15 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | May 4 – May 18 | Apr 27 – Jun 1 | Aug 9 – Sep 6 |
| Kale | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | Apr 27 – May 11 | Apr 27 – May 11 | Jul 26 – Aug 16 |
| Broccoli | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | May 11 – May 25 | — | Jun 28 – Jul 19 |
| Cabbage | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | May 4 – May 18 | — | Jun 28 – Jul 19 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | May 11 – May 25 | — | Jun 28 – Jul 19 |
| Okra | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | Jun 15 – Jun 29 | Jun 15 – Jun 29 | — |
| Basil | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | Jun 1 – Jun 15 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Apr 13 – May 4 | Jul 12 – Aug 2 |
| Spinach | — | — | Apr 13 – May 4 | Aug 9 – Aug 30 |
| Radishes | — | — | Apr 20 – Jun 1 | Aug 23 – Sep 13 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 27 – May 4 | Jun 8 – Jun 15 | Jun 1 – Jun 15 | Jul 19 – Aug 2 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 27 – May 4 | — | Jun 1 – Jun 15 | Jul 26 – Aug 9 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 27 – May 4 | — | Jun 1 – Jun 15 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 27 – May 4 | Jun 8 – Jun 22 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | May 4 – Jun 1 | Jul 12 – Jul 26 |
| Beets | — | — | May 4 – Jun 1 | Jul 26 – Aug 9 |
| Potatoes | — | — | May 4 – May 25 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | May 11 – Jun 8 | Jul 26 – Aug 9 |
| Cilantro | — | — | May 11 – Jun 1 | Aug 9 – Aug 30 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Jun 1 – Jun 22 | Jul 19 – Aug 2 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Jun 1 – Jun 15 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Jun 8 – Jun 29 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 20 – Oct 25 |
Dates come from the median frost dates and common extension-service timing. Adjust for your soil temperature, microclimate and the varieties you grow.
About these dates
Based on 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for the Cold Bay Ap, AK weather station, 4 km away (elevation 79 ft (24 m)).
Frost dates near Cold Bay
- King Cove May 25 · Oct 4
- False Pass May 25 · Oct 4
- Sand Point May 11 · Oct 18
- Akutan May 6 · Oct 18
- Perryville May 11 · Oct 18
- Chignik Lake May 11 · Oct 18
- Unalaska May 6 · Oct 18
- Dutch Harbor May 6 · Oct 18
- Pilot Point Jun 9 · Sep 11
- Saint George Island May 31 · Oct 5
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Cold Bay, AK?
The median last spring frost in Cold Bay, AK is May 25. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after June 10, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Cold Bay, AK?
The median first fall frost is October 4, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 20.
How long is the growing season in Cold Bay, AK?
About 132 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Cold Bay, AK?
Cold Bay, AK is in USDA hardiness zone 7a.