Whittier, AK frost dates
Last spring frostApr 25median date
First fall frostOct 14median date
Growing season172 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone7aZone 7a
How Whittier compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Whittier falls between April 12 and May 8, a 26-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 1 and October 30.
- The median last frost is 26 days earlier than the Alaska median of May 21.
- Its 172-day growing season is longer than 91% of the 165 Alaska places with a regular frost season (state median 124 days).
- The last frost is 9 days later than the zone 7a median of Apr 16. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 7a chart.
- The weather station records an average of 127 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Anchorage, AK, 77 km away, the last frost here is 33 days earlier than there and the growing season is 65 days longer.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 12 |
| 50% (median) | April 25 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 8 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 1 |
| 50% (median) | October 14 |
| 90% (late) | October 30 |
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 Whittier, AK
Whittier, AK frost dates — last frost Apr 25, first frost Oct 14, zone 7a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 31 to Feb 14Transplant outside: Mar 28 to Apr 11
Start indoors: Feb 14 to Feb 28Transplant outside: May 9 to May 23
Start indoors: Feb 14 to Feb 28Transplant outside: May 9 to May 23
Start indoors: Feb 28 to Mar 14Transplant outside: May 2 to May 16
Start indoors: Feb 28 to Mar 14Transplant outside: Apr 4 to Apr 18Sow outdoors: Mar 28 to May 2Plant for fall: Aug 19 to Sep 16
Start indoors: Feb 28 to Mar 14Transplant outside: Mar 28 to Apr 11Sow outdoors: Mar 28 to Apr 11Plant for fall: Aug 5 to Aug 26
Start indoors: Feb 28 to Mar 14Transplant outside: Apr 11 to Apr 25Plant for fall: Jul 8 to Jul 29
Start indoors: Feb 28 to Mar 14Transplant outside: Apr 4 to Apr 18Plant for fall: Jul 8 to Jul 29
Start indoors: Feb 28 to Mar 14Transplant outside: Apr 11 to Apr 25Plant for fall: Jul 8 to Jul 29
Start indoors: Mar 14 to Mar 28Transplant outside: May 16 to May 30Sow outdoors: May 16 to May 30
Start indoors: Mar 14 to Mar 28Transplant outside: May 2 to May 16
Sow outdoors: Mar 14 to Apr 4Plant for fall: Jul 22 to Aug 12
Sow outdoors: Mar 14 to Apr 4Plant for fall: Aug 19 to Sep 9
Sow outdoors: Mar 21 to May 2Plant for fall: Sep 2 to Sep 23
Start indoors: Mar 28 to Apr 4Transplant outside: May 9 to May 16Sow outdoors: May 2 to May 16Plant for fall: Jul 29 to Aug 12
Start indoors: Mar 28 to Apr 4Sow outdoors: May 2 to May 16Plant for fall: Aug 5 to Aug 19
Start indoors: Mar 28 to Apr 4Sow outdoors: May 2 to May 16
Start indoors: Mar 28 to Apr 4Transplant outside: May 9 to May 23
Sow outdoors: Apr 4 to May 2Plant for fall: Jul 22 to Aug 5
Sow outdoors: Apr 4 to May 2Plant for fall: Aug 5 to Aug 19
Sow outdoors: Apr 4 to Apr 25
Sow outdoors: Apr 11 to May 9Plant for fall: Aug 5 to Aug 19
Sow outdoors: Apr 11 to May 2Plant for fall: Aug 19 to Sep 9
Sow outdoors: May 2 to May 23Plant for fall: Jul 29 to Aug 12
Sow outdoors: May 2 to May 16
Transplant outside: May 9 to May 30
Plant for fall: Sep 30 to Nov 4
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Whittier, AK
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 31 – Feb 14 | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | May 9 – May 23 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | May 9 – May 23 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | May 2 – May 16 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | Mar 28 – May 2 | Aug 19 – Sep 16 |
| Kale | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | Aug 5 – Aug 26 |
| Broccoli | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | — | Jul 8 – Jul 29 |
| Cabbage | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | — | Jul 8 – Jul 29 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | — | Jul 8 – Jul 29 |
| Okra | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | May 16 – May 30 | May 16 – May 30 | — |
| Basil | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | May 2 – May 16 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 14 – Apr 4 | Jul 22 – Aug 12 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 14 – Apr 4 | Aug 19 – Sep 9 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 21 – May 2 | Sep 2 – Sep 23 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 28 – Apr 4 | May 9 – May 16 | May 2 – May 16 | Jul 29 – Aug 12 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 28 – Apr 4 | — | May 2 – May 16 | Aug 5 – Aug 19 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 28 – Apr 4 | — | May 2 – May 16 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 28 – Apr 4 | May 9 – May 23 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 4 – May 2 | Jul 22 – Aug 5 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 4 – May 2 | Aug 5 – Aug 19 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 4 – Apr 25 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 11 – May 9 | Aug 5 – Aug 19 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 11 – May 2 | Aug 19 – Sep 9 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 2 – May 23 | Jul 29 – Aug 12 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 2 – May 16 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 9 – May 30 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 30 – Nov 4 |
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 Whittier, AK weather station, about 1 km away (elevation 59 ft (18 m)).
Frost dates near Whittier
- Girdwood May 8 · Sep 29
- Moose Pass May 31 · Sep 8
- Hope May 18 · Sep 24
- Indian May 18 · Sep 23
- Cooper Landing Jun 12 · Sep 1
- Eagle River May 9 · Sep 26
- Anchorage May 28 · Sep 12
- Seward May 2 · Oct 7
- Chugiak May 18 · Sep 20
- Palmer May 22 · Sep 16
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Whittier, AK?
The median last spring frost in Whittier, AK is April 25. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 8, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Whittier, AK?
The median first fall frost is October 14, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 1.
How long is the growing season in Whittier, AK?
About 172 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Whittier, AK?
Whittier, AK is in USDA hardiness zone 7a.