Frost dates for 99521 — Anchorage, AK
Last spring frostMay 1median date
First fall frostSep 29median date
Growing season151 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone5aZone 5a
How Anchorage compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Anchorage falls between April 19 and May 9, a 20-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 17 and October 12.
- The median last frost is 20 days earlier than the Alaska median of May 21.
- Its 151-day growing season is longer than 78% of the 165 Alaska places with a regular frost season (state median 124 days).
- The last frost is typical for zone 5a, where the median is May 3.
- The weather station records an average of 184 nights a year at or below 32°F.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 19 |
| 50% (median) | May 1 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 9 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 17 |
| 50% (median) | September 29 |
| 90% (late) | October 12 |
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 99521 — Anchorage, AK — last frost May 1, first frost Sep 29, zone 5a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Feb 6 to Feb 20Transplant outside: Apr 3 to Apr 17
Start indoors: Feb 20 to Mar 6Transplant outside: May 15 to May 29
Start indoors: Feb 20 to Mar 6Transplant outside: May 15 to May 29
Start indoors: Mar 6 to Mar 20Transplant outside: May 8 to May 22
Start indoors: Mar 6 to Mar 20Transplant outside: Apr 10 to Apr 24Sow outdoors: Apr 3 to May 8Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Sep 1
Start indoors: Mar 6 to Mar 20Transplant outside: Apr 3 to Apr 17Sow outdoors: Apr 3 to Apr 17Plant for fall: Jul 21 to Aug 11
Start indoors: Mar 6 to Mar 20Transplant outside: Apr 17 to May 1Plant for fall: Jun 23 to Jul 14
Start indoors: Mar 6 to Mar 20Transplant outside: Apr 10 to Apr 24Plant for fall: Jun 23 to Jul 14
Start indoors: Mar 6 to Mar 20Transplant outside: Apr 17 to May 1Plant for fall: Jun 23 to Jul 14
Start indoors: Mar 20 to Apr 3Transplant outside: May 22 to Jun 5Sow outdoors: May 22 to Jun 5
Start indoors: Mar 20 to Apr 3Transplant outside: May 8 to May 22
Sow outdoors: Mar 20 to Apr 10Plant for fall: Jul 7 to Jul 28
Sow outdoors: Mar 20 to Apr 10Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Aug 25
Sow outdoors: Mar 27 to May 8Plant for fall: Aug 18 to Sep 8
Start indoors: Apr 3 to Apr 10Transplant outside: May 15 to May 22Sow outdoors: May 8 to May 22Plant for fall: Jul 14 to Jul 28
Start indoors: Apr 3 to Apr 10Sow outdoors: May 8 to May 22Plant for fall: Jul 21 to Aug 4
Start indoors: Apr 3 to Apr 10Sow outdoors: May 8 to May 22
Start indoors: Apr 3 to Apr 10Transplant outside: May 15 to May 29
Sow outdoors: Apr 10 to May 8Plant for fall: Jul 7 to Jul 21
Sow outdoors: Apr 10 to May 8Plant for fall: Jul 21 to Aug 4
Sow outdoors: Apr 10 to May 1
Sow outdoors: Apr 17 to May 15Plant for fall: Jul 21 to Aug 4
Sow outdoors: Apr 17 to May 8Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Aug 25
Sow outdoors: May 8 to May 29Plant for fall: Jul 14 to Jul 28
Sow outdoors: May 8 to May 22
Transplant outside: May 15 to Jun 5
Plant for fall: Sep 15 to Oct 20
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 6 – Feb 20 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | May 15 – May 29 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | May 15 – May 29 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | May 8 – May 22 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | Apr 3 – May 8 | Aug 4 – Sep 1 |
| Kale | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | Jul 21 – Aug 11 |
| Broccoli | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | Apr 17 – May 1 | — | Jun 23 – Jul 14 |
| Cabbage | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | — | Jun 23 – Jul 14 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | Apr 17 – May 1 | — | Jun 23 – Jul 14 |
| Okra | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | May 22 – Jun 5 | May 22 – Jun 5 | — |
| Basil | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | May 8 – May 22 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 20 – Apr 10 | Jul 7 – Jul 28 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 20 – Apr 10 | Aug 4 – Aug 25 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 27 – May 8 | Aug 18 – Sep 8 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 3 – Apr 10 | May 15 – May 22 | May 8 – May 22 | Jul 14 – Jul 28 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 3 – Apr 10 | — | May 8 – May 22 | Jul 21 – Aug 4 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 3 – Apr 10 | — | May 8 – May 22 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 3 – Apr 10 | May 15 – May 29 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 10 – May 8 | Jul 7 – Jul 21 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 10 – May 8 | Jul 21 – Aug 4 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 10 – May 1 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 17 – May 15 | Jul 21 – Aug 4 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 17 – May 8 | Aug 4 – Aug 25 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 8 – May 29 | Jul 14 – Jul 28 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 8 – May 22 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 15 – Jun 5 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 15 – Oct 20 |
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 Merrill Fld, AK weather station, 2 km away (elevation 138 ft (42 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
- Eagle River May 9 · Sep 26
- Indian May 18 · Sep 23
- Chugiak May 18 · Sep 20
- Big Lake May 29 · Sep 7
- Wasilla May 16 · Sep 23
- Hope May 18 · Sep 24
- Houston May 29 · Sep 7
- Girdwood May 8 · Sep 29
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Anchorage, AK?
The median last spring frost in Anchorage, AK is May 1. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 9, 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 29, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 17.
How long is the growing season in Anchorage, AK?
About 151 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.