Palmer, AK frost dates
Last spring frostMay 22median date
First fall frostSep 16median date
Growing season117 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone5aZone 5a
How Palmer compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Palmer falls between May 9 and June 3, a 25-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 1 and September 28.
- The median last frost is 1 day later than the Alaska median of May 21.
- Its 117-day growing season is longer than 44% of the 165 Alaska places with a regular frost season (state median 124 days).
- The last frost is 19 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 218 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Anchorage, AK, 68 km away, the last frost here is 6 days earlier than there and the growing season is 10 days longer.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | May 9 |
| 50% (median) | May 22 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | June 3 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 1 |
| 50% (median) | September 16 |
| 90% (late) | September 28 |
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 Palmer, AK
Palmer, AK frost dates — last frost May 22, first frost Sep 16, zone 5a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Feb 27 to Mar 13Transplant outside: Apr 24 to May 8
Start indoors: Mar 13 to Mar 27Transplant outside: Jun 5 to Jun 19
Start indoors: Mar 13 to Mar 27Transplant outside: Jun 5 to Jun 19
Start indoors: Mar 27 to Apr 10Transplant outside: May 29 to Jun 12
Start indoors: Mar 27 to Apr 10Transplant outside: May 1 to May 15Sow outdoors: Apr 24 to May 29Plant for fall: Jul 22 to Aug 19
Start indoors: Mar 27 to Apr 10Transplant outside: Apr 24 to May 8Sow outdoors: Apr 24 to May 8Plant for fall: Jul 8 to Jul 29
Start indoors: Mar 27 to Apr 10Transplant outside: May 8 to May 22Plant for fall: Jun 10 to Jul 1
Start indoors: Mar 27 to Apr 10Transplant outside: May 1 to May 15Plant for fall: Jun 10 to Jul 1
Start indoors: Mar 27 to Apr 10Transplant outside: May 8 to May 22Plant for fall: Jun 10 to Jul 1
Start indoors: Apr 10 to Apr 24Transplant outside: Jun 12 to Jun 26Sow outdoors: Jun 12 to Jun 26
Start indoors: Apr 10 to Apr 24Transplant outside: May 29 to Jun 12
Sow outdoors: Apr 10 to May 1Plant for fall: Jun 24 to Jul 15
Sow outdoors: Apr 10 to May 1Plant for fall: Jul 22 to Aug 12
Sow outdoors: Apr 17 to May 29Plant for fall: Aug 5 to Aug 26
Start indoors: Apr 24 to May 1Transplant outside: Jun 5 to Jun 12Sow outdoors: May 29 to Jun 12Plant for fall: Jul 1 to Jul 15
Start indoors: Apr 24 to May 1Sow outdoors: May 29 to Jun 12Plant for fall: Jul 8 to Jul 22
Start indoors: Apr 24 to May 1Sow outdoors: May 29 to Jun 12
Start indoors: Apr 24 to May 1Transplant outside: Jun 5 to Jun 19
Sow outdoors: May 1 to May 29Plant for fall: Jun 24 to Jul 8
Sow outdoors: May 1 to May 29Plant for fall: Jul 8 to Jul 22
Sow outdoors: May 1 to May 22
Sow outdoors: May 8 to Jun 5Plant for fall: Jul 8 to Jul 22
Sow outdoors: May 8 to May 29Plant for fall: Jul 22 to Aug 12
Sow outdoors: May 29 to Jun 19
Sow outdoors: May 29 to Jun 12
Transplant outside: Jun 5 to Jun 26
Plant for fall: Sep 2 to Oct 7
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Palmer, AK
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | Apr 24 – May 8 | — | — |
| Peppers | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | Jun 5 – Jun 19 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | Jun 5 – Jun 19 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | May 29 – Jun 12 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | May 1 – May 15 | Apr 24 – May 29 | Jul 22 – Aug 19 |
| Kale | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | Apr 24 – May 8 | Apr 24 – May 8 | Jul 8 – Jul 29 |
| Broccoli | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | May 8 – May 22 | — | Jun 10 – Jul 1 |
| Cabbage | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | May 1 – May 15 | — | Jun 10 – Jul 1 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | May 8 – May 22 | — | Jun 10 – Jul 1 |
| Okra | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | Jun 12 – Jun 26 | Jun 12 – Jun 26 | — |
| Basil | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | May 29 – Jun 12 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Apr 10 – May 1 | Jun 24 – Jul 15 |
| Spinach | — | — | Apr 10 – May 1 | Jul 22 – Aug 12 |
| Radishes | — | — | Apr 17 – May 29 | Aug 5 – Aug 26 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 24 – May 1 | Jun 5 – Jun 12 | May 29 – Jun 12 | Jul 1 – Jul 15 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 24 – May 1 | — | May 29 – Jun 12 | Jul 8 – Jul 22 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 24 – May 1 | — | May 29 – Jun 12 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 24 – May 1 | Jun 5 – Jun 19 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | May 1 – May 29 | Jun 24 – Jul 8 |
| Beets | — | — | May 1 – May 29 | Jul 8 – Jul 22 |
| Potatoes | — | — | May 1 – May 22 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | May 8 – Jun 5 | Jul 8 – Jul 22 |
| Cilantro | — | — | May 8 – May 29 | Jul 22 – Aug 12 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 29 – Jun 19 | — |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 29 – Jun 12 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Jun 5 – Jun 26 | — | — |
| 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 Lazy Mtn, AK weather station, 3 km away (elevation 732 ft (223 m)).
Frost dates near Palmer
- Sutton Jun 1 · Sep 6
- Wasilla May 16 · Sep 23
- Chugiak May 18 · Sep 20
- Houston May 29 · Sep 7
- Eagle River May 9 · Sep 26
- Big Lake May 29 · Sep 7
- Willow May 15 · Sep 18
- Indian May 18 · Sep 23
- Anchorage May 28 · Sep 12
- Girdwood May 8 · Sep 29
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Palmer, AK?
The median last spring frost in Palmer, AK is May 22. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after June 3, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Palmer, AK?
The median first fall frost is September 16, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 1.
How long is the growing season in Palmer, AK?
About 117 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Palmer, AK?
Palmer, AK is in USDA hardiness zone 5a.