Frost dates for 99511 — Anchorage, AK
Last spring frostMay 12median date
First fall frostSep 26median date
Growing season137 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone5aZone 5a
How Anchorage compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Anchorage falls between April 30 and May 24, a 24-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 12 and October 9.
- The median last frost is 9 days earlier than the Alaska median of May 21.
- Its 137-day growing season is longer than 70% of the 165 Alaska places with a regular frost season (state median 124 days).
- The last frost is 9 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 197 nights a year at or below 32°F.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 30 |
| 50% (median) | May 12 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 24 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 12 |
| 50% (median) | September 26 |
| 90% (late) | October 9 |
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 Anchorage, AK
Frost dates for 99511 — Anchorage, AK — last frost May 12, first frost Sep 26, zone 5a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Feb 17 to Mar 3Transplant outside: Apr 14 to Apr 28
Start indoors: Mar 3 to Mar 17Transplant outside: May 26 to Jun 9
Start indoors: Mar 3 to Mar 17Transplant outside: May 26 to Jun 9
Start indoors: Mar 17 to Mar 31Transplant outside: May 19 to Jun 2
Start indoors: Mar 17 to Mar 31Transplant outside: Apr 21 to May 5Sow outdoors: Apr 14 to May 19Plant for fall: Aug 1 to Aug 29
Start indoors: Mar 17 to Mar 31Transplant outside: Apr 14 to Apr 28Sow outdoors: Apr 14 to Apr 28Plant for fall: Jul 18 to Aug 8
Start indoors: Mar 17 to Mar 31Transplant outside: Apr 28 to May 12Plant for fall: Jun 20 to Jul 11
Start indoors: Mar 17 to Mar 31Transplant outside: Apr 21 to May 5Plant for fall: Jun 20 to Jul 11
Start indoors: Mar 17 to Mar 31Transplant outside: Apr 28 to May 12Plant for fall: Jun 20 to Jul 11
Start indoors: Mar 31 to Apr 14Transplant outside: Jun 2 to Jun 16Sow outdoors: Jun 2 to Jun 16
Start indoors: Mar 31 to Apr 14Transplant outside: May 19 to Jun 2
Sow outdoors: Mar 31 to Apr 21Plant for fall: Jul 4 to Jul 25
Sow outdoors: Mar 31 to Apr 21Plant for fall: Aug 1 to Aug 22
Sow outdoors: Apr 7 to May 19Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Sep 5
Start indoors: Apr 14 to Apr 21Transplant outside: May 26 to Jun 2Sow outdoors: May 19 to Jun 2Plant for fall: Jul 11 to Jul 25
Start indoors: Apr 14 to Apr 21Sow outdoors: May 19 to Jun 2Plant for fall: Jul 18 to Aug 1
Start indoors: Apr 14 to Apr 21Sow outdoors: May 19 to Jun 2
Start indoors: Apr 14 to Apr 21Transplant outside: May 26 to Jun 9
Sow outdoors: Apr 21 to May 19Plant for fall: Jul 4 to Jul 18
Sow outdoors: Apr 21 to May 19Plant for fall: Jul 18 to Aug 1
Sow outdoors: Apr 21 to May 12
Sow outdoors: Apr 28 to May 26Plant for fall: Jul 18 to Aug 1
Sow outdoors: Apr 28 to May 19Plant for fall: Aug 1 to Aug 22
Sow outdoors: May 19 to Jun 9Plant for fall: Jul 11 to Jul 25
Sow outdoors: May 19 to Jun 2
Transplant outside: May 26 to Jun 16
Plant for fall: Sep 12 to Oct 17
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Anchorage, AK
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 17 – Mar 3 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | — | — |
| Peppers | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | May 26 – Jun 9 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | May 26 – Jun 9 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | May 19 – Jun 2 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | Apr 21 – May 5 | Apr 14 – May 19 | Aug 1 – Aug 29 |
| Kale | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | Jul 18 – Aug 8 |
| Broccoli | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | Apr 28 – May 12 | — | Jun 20 – Jul 11 |
| Cabbage | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | Apr 21 – May 5 | — | Jun 20 – Jul 11 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | Apr 28 – May 12 | — | Jun 20 – Jul 11 |
| Okra | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | Jun 2 – Jun 16 | Jun 2 – Jun 16 | — |
| Basil | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | May 19 – Jun 2 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 31 – Apr 21 | Jul 4 – Jul 25 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 31 – Apr 21 | Aug 1 – Aug 22 |
| Radishes | — | — | Apr 7 – May 19 | Aug 15 – Sep 5 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 14 – Apr 21 | May 26 – Jun 2 | May 19 – Jun 2 | Jul 11 – Jul 25 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 14 – Apr 21 | — | May 19 – Jun 2 | Jul 18 – Aug 1 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 14 – Apr 21 | — | May 19 – Jun 2 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 14 – Apr 21 | May 26 – Jun 9 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 21 – May 19 | Jul 4 – Jul 18 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 21 – May 19 | Jul 18 – Aug 1 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 21 – May 12 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 28 – May 26 | Jul 18 – Aug 1 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 28 – May 19 | Aug 1 – Aug 22 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 19 – Jun 9 | Jul 11 – Jul 25 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 19 – Jun 2 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 26 – Jun 16 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 12 – Oct 17 |
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 Anchorage Rabbit Creek #2, AK weather station, 3 km away (elevation 912 ft (278 m)).
ZIP codes in Anchorage: 99501 99502 99503 99504 99507 99508 99509 99510 99511 99513 99514 99515 99516 99517 99518 99519 99520 99521 99522 99523 99524 99529 99530 99599 99695
Frost dates near Anchorage
- Indian May 18 · Sep 23
- Hope May 18 · Sep 24
- Eagle River May 9 · Sep 26
- Girdwood May 8 · Sep 29
- Chugiak May 18 · Sep 20
- Big Lake May 29 · Sep 7
- Moose Pass May 31 · Sep 8
- Wasilla May 16 · Sep 23
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Anchorage, AK?
The median last spring frost in Anchorage, AK is May 12. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 24, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Anchorage, AK?
The median first fall frost is September 26, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 12.
How long is the growing season in Anchorage, AK?
About 137 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Anchorage, AK?
Anchorage, AK is in USDA hardiness zone 5a.