Frost dates for 99706 — Fairbanks, AK
Last spring frostMay 16median date
First fall frostSep 8median date
Growing season115 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone3bZone 3b
How Fairbanks compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Fairbanks falls between May 5 and May 30, a 25-day window. The first fall frost falls between August 26 and September 21.
- The median last frost is 5 days earlier than the Alaska median of May 21.
- Its 115-day growing season is longer than 44% of the 165 Alaska places with a regular frost season (state median 124 days).
- The last frost is typical for zone 3b, where the median is May 17.
- The weather station records an average of 228 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 30 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | August 26 |
| 50% (median) | September 8 |
| 90% (late) | September 21 |
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 99706 — Fairbanks, AK — last frost May 16, first frost Sep 8, zone 3b. 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 14 to Aug 11
Start indoors: Mar 21 to Apr 4Transplant outside: Apr 18 to May 2Sow outdoors: Apr 18 to May 2Plant for fall: Jun 30 to Jul 21
Start indoors: Mar 21 to Apr 4Transplant outside: May 2 to May 16Plant for fall: Jun 2 to Jun 23
Start indoors: Mar 21 to Apr 4Transplant outside: Apr 25 to May 9Plant for fall: Jun 2 to Jun 23
Start indoors: Mar 21 to Apr 4Transplant outside: May 2 to May 16Plant for fall: Jun 2 to Jun 23
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 16 to Jul 7
Sow outdoors: Apr 4 to Apr 25Plant for fall: Jul 14 to Aug 4
Sow outdoors: Apr 11 to May 23Plant for fall: Jul 28 to Aug 18
Start indoors: Apr 18 to Apr 25Transplant outside: May 30 to Jun 6Sow outdoors: May 23 to Jun 6Plant for fall: Jun 23 to Jul 7
Start indoors: Apr 18 to Apr 25Sow outdoors: May 23 to Jun 6Plant for fall: Jun 30 to Jul 14
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 16 to Jun 30
Sow outdoors: Apr 25 to May 23Plant for fall: Jun 30 to Jul 14
Sow outdoors: Apr 25 to May 16
Sow outdoors: May 2 to May 30Plant for fall: Jun 30 to Jul 14
Sow outdoors: May 2 to May 23Plant for fall: Jul 14 to Aug 4
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 25 to Sep 29
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 14 – Aug 11 |
| Kale | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | Apr 18 – May 2 | Apr 18 – May 2 | Jun 30 – Jul 21 |
| Broccoli | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | May 2 – May 16 | — | Jun 2 – Jun 23 |
| Cabbage | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | Apr 25 – May 9 | — | Jun 2 – Jun 23 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | May 2 – May 16 | — | Jun 2 – Jun 23 |
| 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 16 – Jul 7 |
| Spinach | — | — | Apr 4 – Apr 25 | Jul 14 – Aug 4 |
| Radishes | — | — | Apr 11 – May 23 | Jul 28 – Aug 18 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 18 – Apr 25 | May 30 – Jun 6 | May 23 – Jun 6 | Jun 23 – Jul 7 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 18 – Apr 25 | — | May 23 – Jun 6 | Jun 30 – Jul 14 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 18 – Apr 25 | — | May 23 – Jun 6 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 18 – Apr 25 | May 30 – Jun 13 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 25 – May 23 | Jun 16 – Jun 30 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 25 – May 23 | Jun 30 – Jul 14 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 25 – May 16 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | May 2 – May 30 | Jun 30 – Jul 14 |
| Cilantro | — | — | May 2 – May 23 | Jul 14 – Aug 4 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 23 – Jun 13 | — |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 23 – Jun 6 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 30 – Jun 20 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Aug 25 – Sep 29 |
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 University Exp Stn, AK weather station, 4 km away (elevation 476 ft (145 m)).
ZIP codes in Fairbanks: 99701 99706 99707 99708 99709 99710 99711 99712 99775 99790
Frost dates near Fairbanks
- Ester May 24 · Sep 1
- Fort Wainwright May 16 · Sep 6
- North Pole May 22 · Sep 2
- 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 30, 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 8, with about a 10% chance of frost before August 26.
How long is the growing season in Fairbanks, AK?
About 115 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Fairbanks, AK?
Fairbanks, AK is in USDA hardiness zone 3b.