Ester, AK frost dates
Last spring frostMay 24median date
First fall frostSep 1median date
Growing season100 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone3bZone 3b
How Ester compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Ester falls between May 12 and June 4, a 23-day window. The first fall frost falls between August 19 and September 12.
- The median last frost is 3 days later than the Alaska median of May 21.
- Its 100-day growing season is longer than 18% of the 165 Alaska places with a regular frost season (state median 124 days).
- The last frost is 7 days later than the zone 3b median of May 17. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 3b chart.
- The weather station records an average of 244 nights a year at or below 32°F.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | May 12 |
| 50% (median) | May 24 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | June 4 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | August 19 |
| 50% (median) | September 1 |
| 90% (late) | September 12 |
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 Ester, AK
Ester, AK frost dates — last frost May 24, first frost Sep 1, zone 3b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Mar 1 to Mar 15Transplant outside: Apr 26 to May 10
Start indoors: Mar 15 to Mar 29Transplant outside: Jun 7 to Jun 21
Start indoors: Mar 15 to Mar 29Transplant outside: Jun 7 to Jun 21
Start indoors: Mar 29 to Apr 12Transplant outside: May 31 to Jun 14
Start indoors: Mar 29 to Apr 12Transplant outside: May 3 to May 17Sow outdoors: Apr 26 to May 31Plant for fall: Jul 7 to Aug 4
Start indoors: Mar 29 to Apr 12Transplant outside: Apr 26 to May 10Sow outdoors: Apr 26 to May 10Plant for fall: Jun 23 to Jul 14
Start indoors: Mar 29 to Apr 12Transplant outside: May 10 to May 24
Start indoors: Mar 29 to Apr 12Transplant outside: May 3 to May 17
Start indoors: Mar 29 to Apr 12Transplant outside: May 10 to May 24
Start indoors: Apr 12 to Apr 26Transplant outside: Jun 14 to Jun 28Sow outdoors: Jun 14 to Jun 28
Start indoors: Apr 12 to Apr 26Transplant outside: May 31 to Jun 14
Sow outdoors: Apr 12 to May 3Plant for fall: Jun 9 to Jun 30
Sow outdoors: Apr 12 to May 3Plant for fall: Jul 7 to Jul 28
Sow outdoors: Apr 19 to May 31Plant for fall: Jul 21 to Aug 11
Start indoors: Apr 26 to May 3Transplant outside: Jun 7 to Jun 14Sow outdoors: May 31 to Jun 14
Start indoors: Apr 26 to May 3Sow outdoors: May 31 to Jun 14
Start indoors: Apr 26 to May 3Sow outdoors: May 31 to Jun 14
Start indoors: Apr 26 to May 3Transplant outside: Jun 7 to Jun 21
Sow outdoors: May 3 to May 31
Sow outdoors: May 3 to May 31Plant for fall: Jun 23 to Jul 7
Sow outdoors: May 3 to May 24
Sow outdoors: May 10 to Jun 7Plant for fall: Jun 23 to Jul 7
Sow outdoors: May 10 to May 31Plant for fall: Jul 7 to Jul 28
Sow outdoors: May 31 to Jun 21
Sow outdoors: May 31 to Jun 14
Transplant outside: Jun 7 to Jun 28
Plant for fall: Aug 18 to Sep 22
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Ester, AK
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | Apr 26 – May 10 | — | — |
| Peppers | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | Jun 7 – Jun 21 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | Jun 7 – Jun 21 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | May 31 – Jun 14 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | May 3 – May 17 | Apr 26 – May 31 | Jul 7 – Aug 4 |
| Kale | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | Apr 26 – May 10 | Apr 26 – May 10 | Jun 23 – Jul 14 |
| Broccoli | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | May 10 – May 24 | — | — |
| Cabbage | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | May 3 – May 17 | — | — |
| Cauliflower | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | May 10 – May 24 | — | — |
| Okra | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | Jun 14 – Jun 28 | Jun 14 – Jun 28 | — |
| Basil | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | May 31 – Jun 14 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Apr 12 – May 3 | Jun 9 – Jun 30 |
| Spinach | — | — | Apr 12 – May 3 | Jul 7 – Jul 28 |
| Radishes | — | — | Apr 19 – May 31 | Jul 21 – Aug 11 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 26 – May 3 | Jun 7 – Jun 14 | May 31 – Jun 14 | — |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 26 – May 3 | — | May 31 – Jun 14 | — |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins Warning: Your frost-free season is about 100 days, which is tight for winter squash & pumpkins (100+ days). Choose early varieties and use transplants or row covers. | Apr 26 – May 3 | — | May 31 – Jun 14 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 26 – May 3 | Jun 7 – Jun 21 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | May 3 – May 31 | — |
| Beets | — | — | May 3 – May 31 | Jun 23 – Jul 7 |
| Potatoes | — | — | May 3 – May 24 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | May 10 – Jun 7 | Jun 23 – Jul 7 |
| Cilantro | — | — | May 10 – May 31 | Jul 7 – Jul 28 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 31 – Jun 21 | — |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 31 – Jun 14 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes Warning: Your frost-free season is about 100 days, which is tight for sweet potatoes (100+ days). Choose early varieties and use transplants or row covers. | — | Jun 7 – Jun 28 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Aug 18 – Sep 22 |
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 Ester, AK weather station, 4 km away (elevation 656 ft (200 m)).
Frost dates near Ester
- Fairbanks May 16 · Sep 6
- Fort Wainwright May 16 · Sep 6
- North Pole May 22 · Sep 2
- Eielson Afb May 20 · Sep 1
- Two Rivers May 30 · Sep 2
- Nenana May 15 · Sep 11
- Salcha May 20 · Sep 1
- Minto frost any month
- Anderson May 24 · Sep 4
- Clear May 24 · Sep 4
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Ester, AK?
The median last spring frost in Ester, AK is May 24. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after June 4, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Ester, AK?
The median first fall frost is September 1, with about a 10% chance of frost before August 19.
How long is the growing season in Ester, AK?
About 100 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Ester, AK?
Ester, AK is in USDA hardiness zone 3b.