Houston, AK frost dates
Last spring frostMay 29median date
First fall frostSep 7median date
Growing season101 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone4aZone 4a
How Houston compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Houston falls between May 13 and June 9, a 27-day window. The first fall frost falls between August 24 and September 21.
- The median last frost is 8 days later than the Alaska median of May 21.
- Its 101-day growing season is longer than 19% of the 165 Alaska places with a regular frost season (state median 124 days).
- The last frost is 17 days later than the zone 4a median of May 12. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 4a chart.
- The weather station records an average of 228 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Anchorage, AK, 51 km away, the last frost here is 1 day later than there and the growing season is 6 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | May 13 |
| 50% (median) | May 29 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | June 9 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | August 24 |
| 50% (median) | September 7 |
| 90% (late) | September 21 |
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 Houston, AK
Houston, AK frost dates — last frost May 29, first frost Sep 7, zone 4a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Mar 6 to Mar 20Transplant outside: May 1 to May 15
Start indoors: Mar 20 to Apr 3Transplant outside: Jun 12 to Jun 26
Start indoors: Mar 20 to Apr 3Transplant outside: Jun 12 to Jun 26
Start indoors: Apr 3 to Apr 17Transplant outside: Jun 5 to Jun 19
Start indoors: Apr 3 to Apr 17Transplant outside: May 8 to May 22Sow outdoors: May 1 to Jun 5Plant for fall: Jul 13 to Aug 10
Start indoors: Apr 3 to Apr 17Transplant outside: May 1 to May 15Sow outdoors: May 1 to May 15Plant for fall: Jun 29 to Jul 20
Start indoors: Apr 3 to Apr 17Transplant outside: May 15 to May 29
Start indoors: Apr 3 to Apr 17Transplant outside: May 8 to May 22
Start indoors: Apr 3 to Apr 17Transplant outside: May 15 to May 29
Start indoors: Apr 17 to May 1Transplant outside: Jun 19 to Jul 3Sow outdoors: Jun 19 to Jul 3
Start indoors: Apr 17 to May 1Transplant outside: Jun 5 to Jun 19
Sow outdoors: Apr 17 to May 8Plant for fall: Jun 15 to Jul 6
Sow outdoors: Apr 17 to May 8Plant for fall: Jul 13 to Aug 3
Sow outdoors: Apr 24 to Jun 5Plant for fall: Jul 27 to Aug 17
Start indoors: May 1 to May 8Transplant outside: Jun 12 to Jun 19Sow outdoors: Jun 5 to Jun 19
Start indoors: May 1 to May 8Sow outdoors: Jun 5 to Jun 19
Start indoors: May 1 to May 8Sow outdoors: Jun 5 to Jun 19
Start indoors: May 1 to May 8Transplant outside: Jun 12 to Jun 26
Sow outdoors: May 8 to Jun 5
Sow outdoors: May 8 to Jun 5Plant for fall: Jun 29 to Jul 13
Sow outdoors: May 8 to May 29
Sow outdoors: May 15 to Jun 12Plant for fall: Jun 29 to Jul 13
Sow outdoors: May 15 to Jun 5Plant for fall: Jul 13 to Aug 3
Sow outdoors: Jun 5 to Jun 26
Sow outdoors: Jun 5 to Jun 19
Transplant outside: Jun 12 to Jul 3
Plant for fall: Aug 24 to Sep 28
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Houston, AK
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | May 1 – May 15 | — | — |
| Peppers | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | Jun 12 – Jun 26 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | Jun 12 – Jun 26 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | Jun 5 – Jun 19 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | May 8 – May 22 | May 1 – Jun 5 | Jul 13 – Aug 10 |
| Kale | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | May 1 – May 15 | May 1 – May 15 | Jun 29 – Jul 20 |
| Broccoli | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | May 15 – May 29 | — | — |
| Cabbage | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | May 8 – May 22 | — | — |
| Cauliflower | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | May 15 – May 29 | — | — |
| Okra | Apr 17 – May 1 | Jun 19 – Jul 3 | Jun 19 – Jul 3 | — |
| Basil | Apr 17 – May 1 | Jun 5 – Jun 19 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Apr 17 – May 8 | Jun 15 – Jul 6 |
| Spinach | — | — | Apr 17 – May 8 | Jul 13 – Aug 3 |
| Radishes | — | — | Apr 24 – Jun 5 | Jul 27 – Aug 17 |
| Cucumbers | May 1 – May 8 | Jun 12 – Jun 19 | Jun 5 – Jun 19 | — |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | May 1 – May 8 | — | Jun 5 – Jun 19 | — |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins Warning: Your frost-free season is about 101 days, which is tight for winter squash & pumpkins (100+ days). Choose early varieties and use transplants or row covers. | May 1 – May 8 | — | Jun 5 – Jun 19 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | May 1 – May 8 | Jun 12 – Jun 26 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | May 8 – Jun 5 | — |
| Beets | — | — | May 8 – Jun 5 | Jun 29 – Jul 13 |
| Potatoes | — | — | May 8 – May 29 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | May 15 – Jun 12 | Jun 29 – Jul 13 |
| Cilantro | — | — | May 15 – Jun 5 | Jul 13 – Aug 3 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Jun 5 – Jun 26 | — |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Jun 5 – Jun 19 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes Warning: Your frost-free season is about 101 days, which is tight for sweet potatoes (100+ days). Choose early varieties and use transplants or row covers. | — | Jun 12 – Jul 3 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Aug 24 – Sep 28 |
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 Whites Crossing, AK weather station, 13 km away (elevation 269 ft (82 m)).
Frost dates near Houston
- Big Lake May 29 · Sep 7
- Wasilla May 16 · Sep 23
- Chugiak May 18 · Sep 20
- Willow May 15 · Sep 18
- Eagle River May 9 · Sep 26
- Palmer May 22 · Sep 16
- Anchorage May 28 · Sep 12
- Sutton Jun 1 · Sep 6
- Indian May 18 · Sep 23
- Talkeetna May 16 · Sep 16
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Houston, AK?
The median last spring frost in Houston, AK is May 29. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after June 9, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Houston, AK?
The median first fall frost is September 7, with about a 10% chance of frost before August 24.
How long is the growing season in Houston, AK?
About 101 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Houston, AK?
Houston, AK is in USDA hardiness zone 4a.