Eagle River, AK frost dates
Last spring frostMay 9median date
First fall frostSep 26median date
Growing season140 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone5aZone 5a
How Eagle River compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Eagle River falls between April 29 and May 22, a 23-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 12 and October 10.
- The median last frost is 12 days earlier than the Alaska median of May 21.
- Its 140-day growing season is longer than 72% of the 165 Alaska places with a regular frost season (state median 124 days).
- The last frost is 6 days later 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 191 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Anchorage, AK, 24 km away, the last frost here is 19 days earlier than there and the growing season is 33 days longer.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 29 |
| 50% (median) | May 9 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 22 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 12 |
| 50% (median) | September 26 |
| 90% (late) | October 10 |
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 Eagle River, AK
Eagle River, AK frost dates — last frost May 9, first frost Sep 26, zone 5a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Feb 14 to Feb 28Transplant outside: Apr 11 to Apr 25
Start indoors: Feb 28 to Mar 14Transplant outside: May 23 to Jun 6
Start indoors: Feb 28 to Mar 14Transplant outside: May 23 to Jun 6
Start indoors: Mar 14 to Mar 28Transplant outside: May 16 to May 30
Start indoors: Mar 14 to Mar 28Transplant outside: Apr 18 to May 2Sow outdoors: Apr 11 to May 16Plant for fall: Aug 1 to Aug 29
Start indoors: Mar 14 to Mar 28Transplant outside: Apr 11 to Apr 25Sow outdoors: Apr 11 to Apr 25Plant for fall: Jul 18 to Aug 8
Start indoors: Mar 14 to Mar 28Transplant outside: Apr 25 to May 9Plant for fall: Jun 20 to Jul 11
Start indoors: Mar 14 to Mar 28Transplant outside: Apr 18 to May 2Plant for fall: Jun 20 to Jul 11
Start indoors: Mar 14 to Mar 28Transplant outside: Apr 25 to May 9Plant for fall: Jun 20 to Jul 11
Start indoors: Mar 28 to Apr 11Transplant outside: May 30 to Jun 13Sow outdoors: May 30 to Jun 13
Start indoors: Mar 28 to Apr 11Transplant outside: May 16 to May 30
Sow outdoors: Mar 28 to Apr 18Plant for fall: Jul 4 to Jul 25
Sow outdoors: Mar 28 to Apr 18Plant for fall: Aug 1 to Aug 22
Sow outdoors: Apr 4 to May 16Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Sep 5
Start indoors: Apr 11 to Apr 18Transplant outside: May 23 to May 30Sow outdoors: May 16 to May 30Plant for fall: Jul 11 to Jul 25
Start indoors: Apr 11 to Apr 18Sow outdoors: May 16 to May 30Plant for fall: Jul 18 to Aug 1
Start indoors: Apr 11 to Apr 18Sow outdoors: May 16 to May 30
Start indoors: Apr 11 to Apr 18Transplant outside: May 23 to Jun 6
Sow outdoors: Apr 18 to May 16Plant for fall: Jul 4 to Jul 18
Sow outdoors: Apr 18 to May 16Plant for fall: Jul 18 to Aug 1
Sow outdoors: Apr 18 to May 9
Sow outdoors: Apr 25 to May 23Plant for fall: Jul 18 to Aug 1
Sow outdoors: Apr 25 to May 16Plant for fall: Aug 1 to Aug 22
Sow outdoors: May 16 to Jun 6Plant for fall: Jul 11 to Jul 25
Sow outdoors: May 16 to May 30
Transplant outside: May 23 to Jun 13
Plant for fall: Sep 12 to Oct 17
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Eagle River, AK
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | May 23 – Jun 6 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | May 23 – Jun 6 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | May 16 – May 30 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | Apr 18 – May 2 | Apr 11 – May 16 | Aug 1 – Aug 29 |
| Kale | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | Jul 18 – Aug 8 |
| Broccoli | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | Apr 25 – May 9 | — | Jun 20 – Jul 11 |
| Cabbage | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | Apr 18 – May 2 | — | Jun 20 – Jul 11 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | Apr 25 – May 9 | — | Jun 20 – Jul 11 |
| Okra | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | May 30 – Jun 13 | May 30 – Jun 13 | — |
| Basil | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | May 16 – May 30 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 28 – Apr 18 | Jul 4 – Jul 25 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 28 – Apr 18 | Aug 1 – Aug 22 |
| Radishes | — | — | Apr 4 – May 16 | Aug 15 – Sep 5 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 11 – Apr 18 | May 23 – May 30 | May 16 – May 30 | Jul 11 – Jul 25 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 11 – Apr 18 | — | May 16 – May 30 | Jul 18 – Aug 1 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 11 – Apr 18 | — | May 16 – May 30 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 11 – Apr 18 | May 23 – Jun 6 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 18 – May 16 | Jul 4 – Jul 18 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 18 – May 16 | Jul 18 – Aug 1 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 18 – May 9 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 25 – May 23 | Jul 18 – Aug 1 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 25 – May 16 | Aug 1 – Aug 22 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 16 – Jun 6 | Jul 11 – Jul 25 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 16 – May 30 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 23 – Jun 13 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 12 – Oct 17 |
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 Eagle Rvr Gakona Circle, AK weather station, 2 km away (elevation 568 ft (173 m)).
Frost dates near Eagle River
- Chugiak May 18 · Sep 20
- Indian May 18 · Sep 23
- Anchorage May 28 · Sep 12
- Wasilla May 16 · Sep 23
- Big Lake May 29 · Sep 7
- Houston May 29 · Sep 7
- Girdwood May 8 · Sep 29
- Palmer May 22 · Sep 16
- Hope May 18 · Sep 24
- Sutton Jun 1 · Sep 6
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Eagle River, AK?
The median last spring frost in Eagle River, AK is May 9. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 22, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Eagle River, AK?
The median first fall frost is September 26, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 12.
How long is the growing season in Eagle River, AK?
About 140 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Eagle River, AK?
Eagle River, AK is in USDA hardiness zone 5a.