Sitka, AK frost dates
Last spring frostMay 3median date
First fall frostOct 18median date
Growing season168 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone7bZone 7b
How Sitka compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Sitka falls between April 16 and May 19, a 33-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 1 and November 7.
- The median last frost is 18 days earlier than the Alaska median of May 21.
- Its 168-day growing season is longer than 87% of the 165 Alaska places with a regular frost season (state median 124 days).
- The last frost is 28 days later than the zone 7b median of Apr 5. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 7b chart.
- The weather station records an average of 115 nights a year at or below 32°F.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 16 |
| 50% (median) | May 3 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 19 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 1 |
| 50% (median) | October 18 |
| 90% (late) | November 7 |
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 Sitka, AK
Sitka, AK frost dates — last frost May 3, first frost Oct 18, zone 7b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Feb 8 to Feb 22Transplant outside: Apr 5 to Apr 19
Start indoors: Feb 22 to Mar 8Transplant outside: May 17 to May 31
Start indoors: Feb 22 to Mar 8Transplant outside: May 17 to May 31
Start indoors: Mar 8 to Mar 22Transplant outside: May 10 to May 24
Start indoors: Mar 8 to Mar 22Transplant outside: Apr 12 to Apr 26Sow outdoors: Apr 5 to May 10Plant for fall: Aug 23 to Sep 20
Start indoors: Mar 8 to Mar 22Transplant outside: Apr 5 to Apr 19Sow outdoors: Apr 5 to Apr 19Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Aug 30
Start indoors: Mar 8 to Mar 22Transplant outside: Apr 19 to May 3Plant for fall: Jul 12 to Aug 2
Start indoors: Mar 8 to Mar 22Transplant outside: Apr 12 to Apr 26Plant for fall: Jul 12 to Aug 2
Start indoors: Mar 8 to Mar 22Transplant outside: Apr 19 to May 3Plant for fall: Jul 12 to Aug 2
Start indoors: Mar 22 to Apr 5Transplant outside: May 24 to Jun 7Sow outdoors: May 24 to Jun 7
Start indoors: Mar 22 to Apr 5Transplant outside: May 10 to May 24
Sow outdoors: Mar 22 to Apr 12Plant for fall: Jul 26 to Aug 16
Sow outdoors: Mar 22 to Apr 12Plant for fall: Aug 23 to Sep 13
Sow outdoors: Mar 29 to May 10Plant for fall: Sep 6 to Sep 27
Start indoors: Apr 5 to Apr 12Transplant outside: May 17 to May 24Sow outdoors: May 10 to May 24Plant for fall: Aug 2 to Aug 16
Start indoors: Apr 5 to Apr 12Sow outdoors: May 10 to May 24Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Aug 23
Start indoors: Apr 5 to Apr 12Sow outdoors: May 10 to May 24
Start indoors: Apr 5 to Apr 12Transplant outside: May 17 to May 31
Sow outdoors: Apr 12 to May 10Plant for fall: Jul 26 to Aug 9
Sow outdoors: Apr 12 to May 10Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Aug 23
Sow outdoors: Apr 12 to May 3
Sow outdoors: Apr 19 to May 17Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Aug 23
Sow outdoors: Apr 19 to May 10Plant for fall: Aug 23 to Sep 13
Sow outdoors: May 10 to May 31Plant for fall: Aug 2 to Aug 16
Sow outdoors: May 10 to May 24
Transplant outside: May 17 to Jun 7
Plant for fall: Oct 4 to Nov 8
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Sitka, AK
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | May 17 – May 31 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | May 17 – May 31 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | May 10 – May 24 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | Apr 5 – May 10 | Aug 23 – Sep 20 |
| Kale | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | Aug 9 – Aug 30 |
| Broccoli | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | Apr 19 – May 3 | — | Jul 12 – Aug 2 |
| Cabbage | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | — | Jul 12 – Aug 2 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | Apr 19 – May 3 | — | Jul 12 – Aug 2 |
| Okra | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | May 24 – Jun 7 | May 24 – Jun 7 | — |
| Basil | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | May 10 – May 24 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 22 – Apr 12 | Jul 26 – Aug 16 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 22 – Apr 12 | Aug 23 – Sep 13 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 29 – May 10 | Sep 6 – Sep 27 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 5 – Apr 12 | May 17 – May 24 | May 10 – May 24 | Aug 2 – Aug 16 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 5 – Apr 12 | — | May 10 – May 24 | Aug 9 – Aug 23 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 5 – Apr 12 | — | May 10 – May 24 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 5 – Apr 12 | May 17 – May 31 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 12 – May 10 | Jul 26 – Aug 9 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 12 – May 10 | Aug 9 – Aug 23 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 12 – May 3 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 19 – May 17 | Aug 9 – Aug 23 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 19 – May 10 | Aug 23 – Sep 13 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 10 – May 31 | Aug 2 – Aug 16 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 10 – May 24 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 17 – Jun 7 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 4 – Nov 8 |
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 Sitka 1 Ne, AK weather station, about 1 km away (elevation 79 ft (24 m)).
Frost dates near Sitka
- Angoon Apr 29 · Oct 25
- Tenakee Springs May 9 · Oct 4
- Kake Apr 29 · Oct 25
- Port Alexander Apr 18 · Nov 5
- Pelican May 4 · Oct 19
- Hoonah May 9 · Oct 4
- Point Baker Apr 19 · Oct 25
- Petersburg Apr 29 · Oct 17
- Elfin Cove Apr 26 · Nov 1
- Douglas Apr 20 · Oct 22
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Sitka, AK?
The median last spring frost in Sitka, AK is May 3. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 19, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Sitka, AK?
The median first fall frost is October 18, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 1.
How long is the growing season in Sitka, AK?
About 168 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Sitka, AK?
Sitka, AK is in USDA hardiness zone 7b.