Frost dates for 99530 — Anchorage, AK
Last spring frostMay 5median date
First fall frostSep 29median date
Growing season147 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone5bZone 5b
How Anchorage compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Anchorage falls between April 25 and May 14, a 19-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 17 and October 13.
- The median last frost is 16 days earlier than the Alaska median of May 21.
- Its 147-day growing season is longer than 75% of the 165 Alaska places with a regular frost season (state median 124 days).
- The last frost is 4 days later than the zone 5b median of May 1. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 5b chart.
- The weather station records an average of 189 nights a year at or below 32°F.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 25 |
| 50% (median) | May 5 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 14 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 17 |
| 50% (median) | September 29 |
| 90% (late) | October 13 |
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 99530 — Anchorage, AK — last frost May 5, first frost Sep 29, zone 5b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Feb 10 to Feb 24Transplant outside: Apr 7 to Apr 21
Start indoors: Feb 24 to Mar 10Transplant outside: May 19 to Jun 2
Start indoors: Feb 24 to Mar 10Transplant outside: May 19 to Jun 2
Start indoors: Mar 10 to Mar 24Transplant outside: May 12 to May 26
Start indoors: Mar 10 to Mar 24Transplant outside: Apr 14 to Apr 28Sow outdoors: Apr 7 to May 12Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Sep 1
Start indoors: Mar 10 to Mar 24Transplant outside: Apr 7 to Apr 21Sow outdoors: Apr 7 to Apr 21Plant for fall: Jul 21 to Aug 11
Start indoors: Mar 10 to Mar 24Transplant outside: Apr 21 to May 5Plant for fall: Jun 23 to Jul 14
Start indoors: Mar 10 to Mar 24Transplant outside: Apr 14 to Apr 28Plant for fall: Jun 23 to Jul 14
Start indoors: Mar 10 to Mar 24Transplant outside: Apr 21 to May 5Plant for fall: Jun 23 to Jul 14
Start indoors: Mar 24 to Apr 7Transplant outside: May 26 to Jun 9Sow outdoors: May 26 to Jun 9
Start indoors: Mar 24 to Apr 7Transplant outside: May 12 to May 26
Sow outdoors: Mar 24 to Apr 14Plant for fall: Jul 7 to Jul 28
Sow outdoors: Mar 24 to Apr 14Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Aug 25
Sow outdoors: Mar 31 to May 12Plant for fall: Aug 18 to Sep 8
Start indoors: Apr 7 to Apr 14Transplant outside: May 19 to May 26Sow outdoors: May 12 to May 26Plant for fall: Jul 14 to Jul 28
Start indoors: Apr 7 to Apr 14Sow outdoors: May 12 to May 26Plant for fall: Jul 21 to Aug 4
Start indoors: Apr 7 to Apr 14Sow outdoors: May 12 to May 26
Start indoors: Apr 7 to Apr 14Transplant outside: May 19 to Jun 2
Sow outdoors: Apr 14 to May 12Plant for fall: Jul 7 to Jul 21
Sow outdoors: Apr 14 to May 12Plant for fall: Jul 21 to Aug 4
Sow outdoors: Apr 14 to May 5
Sow outdoors: Apr 21 to May 19Plant for fall: Jul 21 to Aug 4
Sow outdoors: Apr 21 to May 12Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Aug 25
Sow outdoors: May 12 to Jun 2Plant for fall: Jul 14 to Jul 28
Sow outdoors: May 12 to May 26
Transplant outside: May 19 to Jun 9
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 10 – Feb 24 | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | May 19 – Jun 2 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | May 19 – Jun 2 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | May 12 – May 26 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | Apr 7 – May 12 | Aug 4 – Sep 1 |
| Kale | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | Jul 21 – Aug 11 |
| Broccoli | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | Apr 21 – May 5 | — | Jun 23 – Jul 14 |
| Cabbage | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | — | Jun 23 – Jul 14 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | Apr 21 – May 5 | — | Jun 23 – Jul 14 |
| Okra | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | May 26 – Jun 9 | May 26 – Jun 9 | — |
| Basil | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | May 12 – May 26 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 24 – Apr 14 | Jul 7 – Jul 28 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 24 – Apr 14 | Aug 4 – Aug 25 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 31 – May 12 | Aug 18 – Sep 8 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 7 – Apr 14 | May 19 – May 26 | May 12 – May 26 | Jul 14 – Jul 28 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 7 – Apr 14 | — | May 12 – May 26 | Jul 21 – Aug 4 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 7 – Apr 14 | — | May 12 – May 26 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 7 – Apr 14 | May 19 – Jun 2 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 14 – May 12 | Jul 7 – Jul 21 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 14 – May 12 | Jul 21 – Aug 4 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 14 – May 5 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 21 – May 19 | Jul 21 – Aug 4 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 21 – May 12 | Aug 4 – Aug 25 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 12 – Jun 2 | Jul 14 – Jul 28 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 12 – May 26 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 19 – Jun 9 | — | — |
| 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 Forecast Office, AK weather station, 2 km away (elevation 131 ft (40 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
- Eagle River May 9 · Sep 26
- Chugiak May 18 · Sep 20
- Hope May 18 · Sep 24
- Big Lake May 29 · Sep 7
- Girdwood May 8 · Sep 29
- Wasilla May 16 · Sep 23
- Houston May 29 · Sep 7
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Anchorage, AK?
The median last spring frost in Anchorage, AK is May 5. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 14, 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 147 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Anchorage, AK?
Anchorage, AK is in USDA hardiness zone 5b.