Gustavus, AK frost dates
Last spring frostMay 30median date
First fall frostSep 16median date
Growing season109 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone7aZone 7a
How Gustavus compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Gustavus falls between May 14 and June 22, a 39-day window. The first fall frost falls between August 29 and October 4.
- The median last frost is 9 days later than the Alaska median of May 21.
- Its 109-day growing season is longer than 28% of the 165 Alaska places with a regular frost season (state median 124 days).
- The last frost is 44 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 161 nights a year at or below 32°F.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | May 14 |
| 50% (median) | May 30 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | June 22 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | August 29 |
| 50% (median) | September 16 |
| 90% (late) | October 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 Gustavus, AK
Gustavus, AK frost dates — last frost May 30, first frost Sep 16, zone 7a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21Transplant outside: May 2 to May 16
Start indoors: Mar 21 to Apr 4Transplant outside: Jun 13 to Jun 27
Start indoors: Mar 21 to Apr 4Transplant outside: Jun 13 to Jun 27
Start indoors: Apr 4 to Apr 18Transplant outside: Jun 6 to Jun 20
Start indoors: Apr 4 to Apr 18Transplant outside: May 9 to May 23Sow outdoors: May 2 to Jun 6Plant for fall: Jul 22 to Aug 19
Start indoors: Apr 4 to Apr 18Transplant outside: May 2 to May 16Sow outdoors: May 2 to May 16Plant for fall: Jul 8 to Jul 29
Start indoors: Apr 4 to Apr 18Transplant outside: May 16 to May 30
Start indoors: Apr 4 to Apr 18Transplant outside: May 9 to May 23
Start indoors: Apr 4 to Apr 18Transplant outside: May 16 to May 30
Start indoors: Apr 18 to May 2Transplant outside: Jun 20 to Jul 4Sow outdoors: Jun 20 to Jul 4
Start indoors: Apr 18 to May 2Transplant outside: Jun 6 to Jun 20
Sow outdoors: Apr 18 to May 9Plant for fall: Jun 24 to Jul 15
Sow outdoors: Apr 18 to May 9Plant for fall: Jul 22 to Aug 12
Sow outdoors: Apr 25 to Jun 6Plant for fall: Aug 5 to Aug 26
Start indoors: May 2 to May 9Transplant outside: Jun 13 to Jun 20Sow outdoors: Jun 6 to Jun 20
Start indoors: May 2 to May 9Sow outdoors: Jun 6 to Jun 20Plant for fall: Jul 8 to Jul 22
Start indoors: May 2 to May 9Sow outdoors: Jun 6 to Jun 20
Start indoors: May 2 to May 9Transplant outside: Jun 13 to Jun 27
Sow outdoors: May 9 to Jun 6Plant for fall: Jun 24 to Jul 8
Sow outdoors: May 9 to Jun 6Plant for fall: Jul 8 to Jul 22
Sow outdoors: May 9 to May 30
Sow outdoors: May 16 to Jun 13Plant for fall: Jul 8 to Jul 22
Sow outdoors: May 16 to Jun 6Plant for fall: Jul 22 to Aug 12
Sow outdoors: Jun 6 to Jun 27
Sow outdoors: Jun 6 to Jun 20
Transplant outside: Jun 13 to Jul 4
Plant for fall: Sep 2 to Oct 7
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Gustavus, AK
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | May 2 – May 16 | — | — |
| Peppers | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | Jun 13 – Jun 27 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | Jun 13 – Jun 27 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | Jun 6 – Jun 20 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | May 9 – May 23 | May 2 – Jun 6 | Jul 22 – Aug 19 |
| Kale | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | May 2 – May 16 | May 2 – May 16 | Jul 8 – Jul 29 |
| Broccoli | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | May 16 – May 30 | — | — |
| Cabbage | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | May 9 – May 23 | — | — |
| Cauliflower | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | May 16 – May 30 | — | — |
| Okra | Apr 18 – May 2 | Jun 20 – Jul 4 | Jun 20 – Jul 4 | — |
| Basil | Apr 18 – May 2 | Jun 6 – Jun 20 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Apr 18 – May 9 | Jun 24 – Jul 15 |
| Spinach | — | — | Apr 18 – May 9 | Jul 22 – Aug 12 |
| Radishes | — | — | Apr 25 – Jun 6 | Aug 5 – Aug 26 |
| Cucumbers | May 2 – May 9 | Jun 13 – Jun 20 | Jun 6 – Jun 20 | — |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | May 2 – May 9 | — | Jun 6 – Jun 20 | Jul 8 – Jul 22 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins Warning: Your frost-free season is about 109 days, which is tight for winter squash & pumpkins (100+ days). Choose early varieties and use transplants or row covers. | May 2 – May 9 | — | Jun 6 – Jun 20 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | May 2 – May 9 | Jun 13 – Jun 27 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | May 9 – Jun 6 | Jun 24 – Jul 8 |
| Beets | — | — | May 9 – Jun 6 | Jul 8 – Jul 22 |
| Potatoes | — | — | May 9 – May 30 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | May 16 – Jun 13 | Jul 8 – Jul 22 |
| Cilantro | — | — | May 16 – Jun 6 | Jul 22 – Aug 12 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Jun 6 – Jun 27 | — |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Jun 6 – Jun 20 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes Warning: Your frost-free season is about 109 days, which is tight for sweet potatoes (100+ days). Choose early varieties and use transplants or row covers. | — | Jun 13 – Jul 4 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 2 – Oct 7 |
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 Gustavus, AK weather station, 4 km away (elevation 39 ft (12 m)).
Frost dates near Gustavus
- Hoonah May 9 · Oct 4
- Elfin Cove Apr 26 · Nov 1
- Pelican May 4 · Oct 19
- Auke Bay Apr 29 · Oct 20
- Juneau Apr 20 · Oct 22
- Tenakee Springs May 9 · Oct 4
- Douglas Apr 20 · Oct 22
- Haines Apr 25 · Oct 12
- Skagway May 6 · Oct 1
- Angoon Apr 29 · Oct 25
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Gustavus, AK?
The median last spring frost in Gustavus, AK is May 30. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after June 22, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Gustavus, AK?
The median first fall frost is September 16, with about a 10% chance of frost before August 29.
How long is the growing season in Gustavus, AK?
About 109 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Gustavus, AK?
Gustavus, AK is in USDA hardiness zone 7a.