Nenana, AK frost dates
Last spring frostMay 15median date
First fall frostSep 11median date
Growing season119 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone2aZone 2a
How Nenana compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Nenana falls between May 3 and May 29, a 26-day window. The first fall frost falls between August 27 and September 24.
- The median last frost is 6 days earlier than the Alaska median of May 21.
- Its 119-day growing season is longer than 45% of the 165 Alaska places with a regular frost season (state median 124 days).
- The last frost is 9 days earlier than the zone 2a median of May 24. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 2a chart.
- The weather station records an average of 228 nights a year at or below 32°F.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | May 3 |
| 50% (median) | May 15 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 29 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | August 27 |
| 50% (median) | September 11 |
| 90% (late) | September 24 |
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 Nenana, AK
Nenana, AK frost dates — last frost May 15, first frost Sep 11, zone 2a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Feb 20 to Mar 6Transplant outside: Apr 17 to May 1
Start indoors: Mar 6 to Mar 20Transplant outside: May 29 to Jun 12
Start indoors: Mar 6 to Mar 20Transplant outside: May 29 to Jun 12
Start indoors: Mar 20 to Apr 3Transplant outside: May 22 to Jun 5
Start indoors: Mar 20 to Apr 3Transplant outside: Apr 24 to May 8Sow outdoors: Apr 17 to May 22Plant for fall: Jul 17 to Aug 14
Start indoors: Mar 20 to Apr 3Transplant outside: Apr 17 to May 1Sow outdoors: Apr 17 to May 1Plant for fall: Jul 3 to Jul 24
Start indoors: Mar 20 to Apr 3Transplant outside: May 1 to May 15Plant for fall: Jun 5 to Jun 26
Start indoors: Mar 20 to Apr 3Transplant outside: Apr 24 to May 8Plant for fall: Jun 5 to Jun 26
Start indoors: Mar 20 to Apr 3Transplant outside: May 1 to May 15Plant for fall: Jun 5 to Jun 26
Start indoors: Apr 3 to Apr 17Transplant outside: Jun 5 to Jun 19Sow outdoors: Jun 5 to Jun 19
Start indoors: Apr 3 to Apr 17Transplant outside: May 22 to Jun 5
Sow outdoors: Apr 3 to Apr 24Plant for fall: Jun 19 to Jul 10
Sow outdoors: Apr 3 to Apr 24Plant for fall: Jul 17 to Aug 7
Sow outdoors: Apr 10 to May 22Plant for fall: Jul 31 to Aug 21
Start indoors: Apr 17 to Apr 24Transplant outside: May 29 to Jun 5Sow outdoors: May 22 to Jun 5Plant for fall: Jun 26 to Jul 10
Start indoors: Apr 17 to Apr 24Sow outdoors: May 22 to Jun 5Plant for fall: Jul 3 to Jul 17
Start indoors: Apr 17 to Apr 24Sow outdoors: May 22 to Jun 5
Start indoors: Apr 17 to Apr 24Transplant outside: May 29 to Jun 12
Sow outdoors: Apr 24 to May 22Plant for fall: Jun 19 to Jul 3
Sow outdoors: Apr 24 to May 22Plant for fall: Jul 3 to Jul 17
Sow outdoors: Apr 24 to May 15
Sow outdoors: May 1 to May 29Plant for fall: Jul 3 to Jul 17
Sow outdoors: May 1 to May 22Plant for fall: Jul 17 to Aug 7
Sow outdoors: May 22 to Jun 12
Sow outdoors: May 22 to Jun 5
Transplant outside: May 29 to Jun 19
Plant for fall: Aug 28 to Oct 2
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Nenana, AK
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | Apr 17 – May 1 | — | — |
| Peppers | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | May 29 – Jun 12 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | May 29 – Jun 12 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | May 22 – Jun 5 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | Apr 24 – May 8 | Apr 17 – May 22 | Jul 17 – Aug 14 |
| Kale | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | Apr 17 – May 1 | Apr 17 – May 1 | Jul 3 – Jul 24 |
| Broccoli | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | May 1 – May 15 | — | Jun 5 – Jun 26 |
| Cabbage | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | Apr 24 – May 8 | — | Jun 5 – Jun 26 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | May 1 – May 15 | — | Jun 5 – Jun 26 |
| Okra | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | Jun 5 – Jun 19 | Jun 5 – Jun 19 | — |
| Basil | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | May 22 – Jun 5 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Apr 3 – Apr 24 | Jun 19 – Jul 10 |
| Spinach | — | — | Apr 3 – Apr 24 | Jul 17 – Aug 7 |
| Radishes | — | — | Apr 10 – May 22 | Jul 31 – Aug 21 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 17 – Apr 24 | May 29 – Jun 5 | May 22 – Jun 5 | Jun 26 – Jul 10 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 17 – Apr 24 | — | May 22 – Jun 5 | Jul 3 – Jul 17 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 17 – Apr 24 | — | May 22 – Jun 5 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 17 – Apr 24 | May 29 – Jun 12 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 24 – May 22 | Jun 19 – Jul 3 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 24 – May 22 | Jul 3 – Jul 17 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 24 – May 15 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | May 1 – May 29 | Jul 3 – Jul 17 |
| Cilantro | — | — | May 1 – May 22 | Jul 17 – Aug 7 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 22 – Jun 12 | — |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 22 – Jun 5 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 29 – Jun 19 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Aug 28 – Oct 2 |
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 Nenana Muni Ap, AK weather station, about 1 km away (elevation 361 ft (110 m)).
Frost dates near Nenana
- Anderson May 24 · Sep 4
- Clear May 24 · Sep 4
- Ester May 24 · Sep 1
- Minto frost any month
- Healy May 27 · Sep 1
- Fairbanks May 16 · Sep 6
- Fort Wainwright May 16 · Sep 6
- North Pole May 22 · Sep 2
- Manley Hot Springs frost any month
- Eielson Afb May 20 · Sep 1
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Nenana, AK?
The median last spring frost in Nenana, AK is May 15. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 29, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Nenana, AK?
The median first fall frost is September 11, with about a 10% chance of frost before August 27.
How long is the growing season in Nenana, AK?
About 119 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Nenana, AK?
Nenana, AK is in USDA hardiness zone 2a.