Salcha, AK frost dates
Last spring frostMay 20median date
First fall frostSep 1median date
Growing season104 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone3bZone 3b
How Salcha compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Salcha falls between May 10 and June 3, a 24-day window. The first fall frost falls between August 20 and September 16.
- The median last frost is 1 day earlier than the Alaska median of May 21.
- Its 104-day growing season is longer than 26% of the 165 Alaska places with a regular frost season (state median 124 days).
- The last frost is typical for zone 3b, where the median is May 17.
- The weather station records an average of 223 nights a year at or below 32°F.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | May 10 |
| 50% (median) | May 20 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | June 3 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | August 20 |
| 50% (median) | September 1 |
| 90% (late) | September 16 |
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 Salcha, AK
Salcha, AK frost dates — last frost May 20, first frost Sep 1, zone 3b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Feb 25 to Mar 11Transplant outside: Apr 22 to May 6
Start indoors: Mar 11 to Mar 25Transplant outside: Jun 3 to Jun 17
Start indoors: Mar 11 to Mar 25Transplant outside: Jun 3 to Jun 17
Start indoors: Mar 25 to Apr 8Transplant outside: May 27 to Jun 10
Start indoors: Mar 25 to Apr 8Transplant outside: Apr 29 to May 13Sow outdoors: Apr 22 to May 27Plant for fall: Jul 7 to Aug 4
Start indoors: Mar 25 to Apr 8Transplant outside: Apr 22 to May 6Sow outdoors: Apr 22 to May 6Plant for fall: Jun 23 to Jul 14
Start indoors: Mar 25 to Apr 8Transplant outside: May 6 to May 20
Start indoors: Mar 25 to Apr 8Transplant outside: Apr 29 to May 13
Start indoors: Mar 25 to Apr 8Transplant outside: May 6 to May 20
Start indoors: Apr 8 to Apr 22Transplant outside: Jun 10 to Jun 24Sow outdoors: Jun 10 to Jun 24
Start indoors: Apr 8 to Apr 22Transplant outside: May 27 to Jun 10
Sow outdoors: Apr 8 to Apr 29Plant for fall: Jun 9 to Jun 30
Sow outdoors: Apr 8 to Apr 29Plant for fall: Jul 7 to Jul 28
Sow outdoors: Apr 15 to May 27Plant for fall: Jul 21 to Aug 11
Start indoors: Apr 22 to Apr 29Transplant outside: Jun 3 to Jun 10Sow outdoors: May 27 to Jun 10
Start indoors: Apr 22 to Apr 29Sow outdoors: May 27 to Jun 10
Start indoors: Apr 22 to Apr 29Sow outdoors: May 27 to Jun 10
Start indoors: Apr 22 to Apr 29Transplant outside: Jun 3 to Jun 17
Sow outdoors: Apr 29 to May 27
Sow outdoors: Apr 29 to May 27Plant for fall: Jun 23 to Jul 7
Sow outdoors: Apr 29 to May 20
Sow outdoors: May 6 to Jun 3Plant for fall: Jun 23 to Jul 7
Sow outdoors: May 6 to May 27Plant for fall: Jul 7 to Jul 28
Sow outdoors: May 27 to Jun 17
Sow outdoors: May 27 to Jun 10
Transplant outside: Jun 3 to Jun 24
Plant for fall: Aug 18 to Sep 22
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Salcha, AK
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Apr 22 – May 6 | — | — |
| Peppers | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | Jun 3 – Jun 17 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | Jun 3 – Jun 17 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | May 27 – Jun 10 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | Apr 29 – May 13 | Apr 22 – May 27 | Jul 7 – Aug 4 |
| Kale | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | Apr 22 – May 6 | Apr 22 – May 6 | Jun 23 – Jul 14 |
| Broccoli | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | May 6 – May 20 | — | — |
| Cabbage | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | Apr 29 – May 13 | — | — |
| Cauliflower | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | May 6 – May 20 | — | — |
| Okra | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | Jun 10 – Jun 24 | Jun 10 – Jun 24 | — |
| Basil | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | May 27 – Jun 10 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Apr 8 – Apr 29 | Jun 9 – Jun 30 |
| Spinach | — | — | Apr 8 – Apr 29 | Jul 7 – Jul 28 |
| Radishes | — | — | Apr 15 – May 27 | Jul 21 – Aug 11 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 22 – Apr 29 | Jun 3 – Jun 10 | May 27 – Jun 10 | — |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 22 – Apr 29 | — | May 27 – Jun 10 | — |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins Warning: Your frost-free season is about 104 days, which is tight for winter squash & pumpkins (100+ days). Choose early varieties and use transplants or row covers. | Apr 22 – Apr 29 | — | May 27 – Jun 10 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 22 – Apr 29 | Jun 3 – Jun 17 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 29 – May 27 | — |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 29 – May 27 | Jun 23 – Jul 7 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 29 – May 20 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | May 6 – Jun 3 | Jun 23 – Jul 7 |
| Cilantro | — | — | May 6 – May 27 | Jul 7 – Jul 28 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 27 – Jun 17 | — |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 27 – Jun 10 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes Warning: Your frost-free season is about 104 days, which is tight for sweet potatoes (100+ days). Choose early varieties and use transplants or row covers. | — | Jun 3 – Jun 24 | — | — |
| 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 Eielson Fld, AK weather station, 19 km away (elevation 548 ft (167 m)).
Frost dates near Salcha
- Eielson Afb May 20 · Sep 1
- North Pole May 22 · Sep 2
- Two Rivers May 30 · Sep 2
- Fort Wainwright May 16 · Sep 6
- Fairbanks May 16 · Sep 6
- Fort Greely May 26 · Sep 2
- Ester May 24 · Sep 1
- Delta Junction May 17 · Sep 7
- Nenana May 15 · Sep 11
- Clear May 24 · Sep 4
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Salcha, AK?
The median last spring frost in Salcha, AK is May 20. 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 Salcha, AK?
The median first fall frost is September 1, with about a 10% chance of frost before August 20.
How long is the growing season in Salcha, AK?
About 104 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Salcha, AK?
Salcha, AK is in USDA hardiness zone 3b.