Sutton, AK frost dates
Last spring frostJun 1median date
First fall frostSep 6median date
Growing season97 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone4bZone 4b
How Sutton compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Sutton falls between May 20 and June 13, a 24-day window. The first fall frost falls between August 24 and September 20.
- The median last frost is 11 days later than the Alaska median of May 21.
- Its 97-day growing season is longer than 16% of the 165 Alaska places with a regular frost season (state median 124 days).
- The last frost is 24 days later than the zone 4b median of May 8. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 4b chart.
- The weather station records an average of 227 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Anchorage, AK, 84 km away, the last frost here is 4 days later than there and the growing season is 10 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | May 20 |
| 50% (median) | June 1 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | June 13 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | August 24 |
| 50% (median) | September 6 |
| 90% (late) | September 20 |
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 Sutton, AK
Sutton, AK frost dates — last frost Jun 1, first frost Sep 6, zone 4b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Mar 9 to Mar 23Transplant outside: May 4 to May 18
Start indoors: Mar 23 to Apr 6Transplant outside: Jun 15 to Jun 29
Start indoors: Mar 23 to Apr 6Transplant outside: Jun 15 to Jun 29
Start indoors: Apr 6 to Apr 20Transplant outside: Jun 8 to Jun 22
Start indoors: Apr 6 to Apr 20Transplant outside: May 11 to May 25Sow outdoors: May 4 to Jun 8Plant for fall: Jul 12 to Aug 9
Start indoors: Apr 6 to Apr 20Transplant outside: May 4 to May 18Sow outdoors: May 4 to May 18Plant for fall: Jun 28 to Jul 19
Start indoors: Apr 6 to Apr 20Transplant outside: May 18 to Jun 1
Start indoors: Apr 6 to Apr 20Transplant outside: May 11 to May 25
Start indoors: Apr 6 to Apr 20Transplant outside: May 18 to Jun 1
Start indoors: Apr 20 to May 4Transplant outside: Jun 22 to Jul 6Sow outdoors: Jun 22 to Jul 6
Start indoors: Apr 20 to May 4Transplant outside: Jun 8 to Jun 22
Sow outdoors: Apr 20 to May 11
Sow outdoors: Apr 20 to May 11Plant for fall: Jul 12 to Aug 2
Sow outdoors: Apr 27 to Jun 8Plant for fall: Jul 26 to Aug 16
Start indoors: May 4 to May 11Transplant outside: Jun 15 to Jun 22Sow outdoors: Jun 8 to Jun 22
Start indoors: May 4 to May 11Sow outdoors: Jun 8 to Jun 22
Start indoors: May 4 to May 11Sow outdoors: Jun 8 to Jun 22
Start indoors: May 4 to May 11Transplant outside: Jun 15 to Jun 29
Sow outdoors: May 11 to Jun 8
Sow outdoors: May 11 to Jun 8Plant for fall: Jun 28 to Jul 12
Sow outdoors: May 11 to Jun 1
Sow outdoors: May 18 to Jun 15
Sow outdoors: May 18 to Jun 8Plant for fall: Jul 12 to Aug 2
Sow outdoors: Jun 8 to Jun 29
Sow outdoors: Jun 8 to Jun 22
Transplant outside: Jun 15 to Jul 6
Plant for fall: Aug 23 to Sep 27
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Sutton, AK
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | May 4 – May 18 | — | — |
| Peppers | Mar 23 – Apr 6 | Jun 15 – Jun 29 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Mar 23 – Apr 6 | Jun 15 – Jun 29 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | Jun 8 – Jun 22 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | May 11 – May 25 | May 4 – Jun 8 | Jul 12 – Aug 9 |
| Kale | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | May 4 – May 18 | May 4 – May 18 | Jun 28 – Jul 19 |
| Broccoli | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | May 18 – Jun 1 | — | — |
| Cabbage | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | May 11 – May 25 | — | — |
| Cauliflower | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | May 18 – Jun 1 | — | — |
| Okra | Apr 20 – May 4 | Jun 22 – Jul 6 | Jun 22 – Jul 6 | — |
| Basil | Apr 20 – May 4 | Jun 8 – Jun 22 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Apr 20 – May 11 | — |
| Spinach | — | — | Apr 20 – May 11 | Jul 12 – Aug 2 |
| Radishes | — | — | Apr 27 – Jun 8 | Jul 26 – Aug 16 |
| Cucumbers | May 4 – May 11 | Jun 15 – Jun 22 | Jun 8 – Jun 22 | — |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | May 4 – May 11 | — | Jun 8 – Jun 22 | — |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins Warning: Your frost-free season is about 97 days, which is tight for winter squash & pumpkins (100+ days). Choose early varieties and use transplants or row covers. | May 4 – May 11 | — | Jun 8 – Jun 22 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon Warning: Your frost-free season is about 97 days, which is tight for melons & watermelon (85+ days). Choose early varieties and use transplants or row covers. | May 4 – May 11 | Jun 15 – Jun 29 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | May 11 – Jun 8 | — |
| Beets | — | — | May 11 – Jun 8 | Jun 28 – Jul 12 |
| Potatoes | — | — | May 11 – Jun 1 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | May 18 – Jun 15 | — |
| Cilantro | — | — | May 18 – Jun 8 | Jul 12 – Aug 2 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Jun 8 – Jun 29 | — |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Jun 8 – Jun 22 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes Warning: Your frost-free season is about 97 days, which is tight for sweet potatoes (100+ days). Choose early varieties and use transplants or row covers. | — | Jun 15 – Jul 6 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Aug 23 – Sep 27 |
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 Sutton 1 W, AK weather station, 7 km away (elevation 551 ft (168 m)).
Frost dates near Sutton
- Palmer May 22 · Sep 16
- 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 Sutton, AK?
The median last spring frost in Sutton, AK is June 1. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after June 13, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Sutton, AK?
The median first fall frost is September 6, with about a 10% chance of frost before August 24.
How long is the growing season in Sutton, AK?
About 97 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Sutton, AK?
Sutton, AK is in USDA hardiness zone 4b.