Frost dates for 99701 — Fairbanks, AK
Last spring frostMay 16median date
First fall frostSep 6median date
Growing season113 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone3aZone 3a
How Fairbanks compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Fairbanks falls between May 5 and May 29, a 24-day window. The first fall frost falls between August 25 and September 20.
- The median last frost is 5 days earlier than the Alaska median of May 21.
- Its 113-day growing season is longer than 39% of the 165 Alaska places with a regular frost season (state median 124 days).
- The weather station records an average of 227 nights a year at or below 32°F.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | May 5 |
| 50% (median) | May 16 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 29 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | August 25 |
| 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 Fairbanks, AK
Frost dates for 99701 — Fairbanks, AK — last frost May 16, first frost Sep 6, zone 3a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Feb 21 to Mar 7Transplant outside: Apr 18 to May 2
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21Transplant outside: May 30 to Jun 13
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21Transplant outside: May 30 to Jun 13
Start indoors: Mar 21 to Apr 4Transplant outside: May 23 to Jun 6
Start indoors: Mar 21 to Apr 4Transplant outside: Apr 25 to May 9Sow outdoors: Apr 18 to May 23Plant for fall: Jul 12 to Aug 9
Start indoors: Mar 21 to Apr 4Transplant outside: Apr 18 to May 2Sow outdoors: Apr 18 to May 2Plant for fall: Jun 28 to Jul 19
Start indoors: Mar 21 to Apr 4Transplant outside: May 2 to May 16Plant for fall: May 31 to Jun 21
Start indoors: Mar 21 to Apr 4Transplant outside: Apr 25 to May 9Plant for fall: May 31 to Jun 21
Start indoors: Mar 21 to Apr 4Transplant outside: May 2 to May 16Plant for fall: May 31 to Jun 21
Start indoors: Apr 4 to Apr 18Transplant outside: Jun 6 to Jun 20Sow outdoors: Jun 6 to Jun 20
Start indoors: Apr 4 to Apr 18Transplant outside: May 23 to Jun 6
Sow outdoors: Apr 4 to Apr 25Plant for fall: Jun 14 to Jul 5
Sow outdoors: Apr 4 to Apr 25Plant for fall: Jul 12 to Aug 2
Sow outdoors: Apr 11 to May 23Plant for fall: Jul 26 to Aug 16
Start indoors: Apr 18 to Apr 25Transplant outside: May 30 to Jun 6Sow outdoors: May 23 to Jun 6Plant for fall: Jun 21 to Jul 5
Start indoors: Apr 18 to Apr 25Sow outdoors: May 23 to Jun 6Plant for fall: Jun 28 to Jul 12
Start indoors: Apr 18 to Apr 25Sow outdoors: May 23 to Jun 6
Start indoors: Apr 18 to Apr 25Transplant outside: May 30 to Jun 13
Sow outdoors: Apr 25 to May 23Plant for fall: Jun 14 to Jun 28
Sow outdoors: Apr 25 to May 23Plant for fall: Jun 28 to Jul 12
Sow outdoors: Apr 25 to May 16
Sow outdoors: May 2 to May 30Plant for fall: Jun 28 to Jul 12
Sow outdoors: May 2 to May 23Plant for fall: Jul 12 to Aug 2
Sow outdoors: May 23 to Jun 13
Sow outdoors: May 23 to Jun 6
Transplant outside: May 30 to Jun 20
Plant for fall: Aug 23 to Sep 27
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Fairbanks, AK
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | Apr 18 – May 2 | — | — |
| Peppers | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | May 30 – Jun 13 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | May 30 – Jun 13 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | May 23 – Jun 6 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | Apr 25 – May 9 | Apr 18 – May 23 | Jul 12 – Aug 9 |
| Kale | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | Apr 18 – May 2 | Apr 18 – May 2 | Jun 28 – Jul 19 |
| Broccoli | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | May 2 – May 16 | — | May 31 – Jun 21 |
| Cabbage | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | Apr 25 – May 9 | — | May 31 – Jun 21 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | May 2 – May 16 | — | May 31 – Jun 21 |
| Okra | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | Jun 6 – Jun 20 | Jun 6 – Jun 20 | — |
| Basil | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | May 23 – Jun 6 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Apr 4 – Apr 25 | Jun 14 – Jul 5 |
| Spinach | — | — | Apr 4 – Apr 25 | Jul 12 – Aug 2 |
| Radishes | — | — | Apr 11 – May 23 | Jul 26 – Aug 16 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 18 – Apr 25 | May 30 – Jun 6 | May 23 – Jun 6 | Jun 21 – Jul 5 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 18 – Apr 25 | — | May 23 – Jun 6 | Jun 28 – Jul 12 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins Warning: Your frost-free season is about 113 days, which is tight for winter squash & pumpkins (100+ days). Choose early varieties and use transplants or row covers. | Apr 18 – Apr 25 | — | May 23 – Jun 6 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 18 – Apr 25 | May 30 – Jun 13 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 25 – May 23 | Jun 14 – Jun 28 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 25 – May 23 | Jun 28 – Jul 12 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 25 – May 16 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | May 2 – May 30 | Jun 28 – Jul 12 |
| Cilantro | — | — | May 2 – May 23 | Jul 12 – Aug 2 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 23 – Jun 13 | — |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 23 – Jun 6 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes Warning: Your frost-free season is about 113 days, which is tight for sweet potatoes (100+ days). Choose early varieties and use transplants or row covers. | — | May 30 – Jun 20 | — | — |
| 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 Aurora, AK weather station, 2 km away (elevation 443 ft (135 m)).
ZIP codes in Fairbanks: 99701 99706 99707 99708 99709 99710 99711 99712 99775 99790
Frost dates near Fairbanks
- Fort Wainwright May 16 · Sep 6
- North Pole May 22 · Sep 2
- Ester May 24 · Sep 1
- Eielson Afb May 20 · Sep 1
- Two Rivers May 30 · Sep 2
- Salcha May 20 · Sep 1
- Nenana May 15 · Sep 11
- Anderson May 24 · Sep 4
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Fairbanks, AK?
The median last spring frost in Fairbanks, AK is May 16. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 29, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Fairbanks, AK?
The median first fall frost is September 6, with about a 10% chance of frost before August 25.
How long is the growing season in Fairbanks, AK?
About 113 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Fairbanks, AK?
Fairbanks, AK is in USDA hardiness zone 3a.