Cordova, AK frost dates
Last spring frostApr 29median date
First fall frostOct 13median date
Growing season167 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone5aZone 5a
How Cordova compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Cordova falls between April 9 and May 13, a 34-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 25 and November 4.
- The median last frost is 22 days earlier than the Alaska median of May 21.
- Its 167-day growing season is longer than 87% of the 165 Alaska places with a regular frost season (state median 124 days).
- The last frost is 4 days earlier than the zone 5a median of May 3. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 5a chart.
- The weather station records an average of 124 nights a year at or below 32°F.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 9 |
| 50% (median) | April 29 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 13 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 25 |
| 50% (median) | October 13 |
| 90% (late) | November 4 |
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 Cordova, AK
Cordova, AK frost dates — last frost Apr 29, first frost Oct 13, zone 5a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Feb 4 to Feb 18Transplant outside: Apr 1 to Apr 15
Start indoors: Feb 18 to Mar 4Transplant outside: May 13 to May 27
Start indoors: Feb 18 to Mar 4Transplant outside: May 13 to May 27
Start indoors: Mar 4 to Mar 18Transplant outside: May 6 to May 20
Start indoors: Mar 4 to Mar 18Transplant outside: Apr 8 to Apr 22Sow outdoors: Apr 1 to May 6Plant for fall: Aug 18 to Sep 15
Start indoors: Mar 4 to Mar 18Transplant outside: Apr 1 to Apr 15Sow outdoors: Apr 1 to Apr 15Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Aug 25
Start indoors: Mar 4 to Mar 18Transplant outside: Apr 15 to Apr 29Plant for fall: Jul 7 to Jul 28
Start indoors: Mar 4 to Mar 18Transplant outside: Apr 8 to Apr 22Plant for fall: Jul 7 to Jul 28
Start indoors: Mar 4 to Mar 18Transplant outside: Apr 15 to Apr 29Plant for fall: Jul 7 to Jul 28
Start indoors: Mar 18 to Apr 1Transplant outside: May 20 to Jun 3Sow outdoors: May 20 to Jun 3
Start indoors: Mar 18 to Apr 1Transplant outside: May 6 to May 20
Sow outdoors: Mar 18 to Apr 8Plant for fall: Jul 21 to Aug 11
Sow outdoors: Mar 18 to Apr 8Plant for fall: Aug 18 to Sep 8
Sow outdoors: Mar 25 to May 6Plant for fall: Sep 1 to Sep 22
Start indoors: Apr 1 to Apr 8Transplant outside: May 13 to May 20Sow outdoors: May 6 to May 20Plant for fall: Jul 28 to Aug 11
Start indoors: Apr 1 to Apr 8Sow outdoors: May 6 to May 20Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Aug 18
Start indoors: Apr 1 to Apr 8Sow outdoors: May 6 to May 20
Start indoors: Apr 1 to Apr 8Transplant outside: May 13 to May 27
Sow outdoors: Apr 8 to May 6Plant for fall: Jul 21 to Aug 4
Sow outdoors: Apr 8 to May 6Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Aug 18
Sow outdoors: Apr 8 to Apr 29
Sow outdoors: Apr 15 to May 13Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Aug 18
Sow outdoors: Apr 15 to May 6Plant for fall: Aug 18 to Sep 8
Sow outdoors: May 6 to May 27Plant for fall: Jul 28 to Aug 11
Sow outdoors: May 6 to May 20
Transplant outside: May 13 to Jun 3
Plant for fall: Sep 29 to Nov 3
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Cordova, AK
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | May 13 – May 27 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | May 13 – May 27 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | May 6 – May 20 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | Apr 1 – May 6 | Aug 18 – Sep 15 |
| Kale | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | Aug 4 – Aug 25 |
| Broccoli | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | Apr 15 – Apr 29 | — | Jul 7 – Jul 28 |
| Cabbage | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | — | Jul 7 – Jul 28 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | Apr 15 – Apr 29 | — | Jul 7 – Jul 28 |
| Okra | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | May 20 – Jun 3 | May 20 – Jun 3 | — |
| Basil | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | May 6 – May 20 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 18 – Apr 8 | Jul 21 – Aug 11 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 18 – Apr 8 | Aug 18 – Sep 8 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 25 – May 6 | Sep 1 – Sep 22 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 1 – Apr 8 | May 13 – May 20 | May 6 – May 20 | Jul 28 – Aug 11 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 1 – Apr 8 | — | May 6 – May 20 | Aug 4 – Aug 18 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 1 – Apr 8 | — | May 6 – May 20 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 1 – Apr 8 | May 13 – May 27 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 8 – May 6 | Jul 21 – Aug 4 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 8 – May 6 | Aug 4 – Aug 18 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 8 – Apr 29 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 15 – May 13 | Aug 4 – Aug 18 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 15 – May 6 | Aug 18 – Sep 8 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 6 – May 27 | Jul 28 – Aug 11 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 6 – May 20 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 13 – Jun 3 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 29 – Nov 3 |
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 Cordova Wwtp, AK weather station, about 1 km away (elevation 10 ft (3 m)).
Frost dates near Cordova
- Tatitlek May 14 · Sep 22
- Valdez May 14 · Sep 22
- Chitina May 31 · Sep 3
- Copper Center frost any month
- Whittier Apr 25 · Oct 14
- Glennallen frost any month
- Girdwood May 8 · Sep 29
- Gakona Jun 7 · Aug 21
- Moose Pass May 31 · Sep 8
- Hope May 18 · Sep 24
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Cordova, AK?
The median last spring frost in Cordova, AK is April 29. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 13, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Cordova, AK?
The median first fall frost is October 13, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 25.
How long is the growing season in Cordova, AK?
About 167 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Cordova, AK?
Cordova, AK is in USDA hardiness zone 5a.