Frost dates for 99712 — Fairbanks, AK
Last spring frostMay 12median date
First fall frostSep 16median date
Growing season127 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone3bZone 3b
How Fairbanks compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Fairbanks falls between May 2 and May 29, a 27-day window. The first fall frost falls between August 29 and September 28.
- The median last frost is 9 days earlier than the Alaska median of May 21.
- Its 127-day growing season is longer than 62% of the 165 Alaska places with a regular frost season (state median 124 days).
- The last frost is 5 days earlier than the zone 3b median of May 17. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 3b chart.
- The weather station records an average of 209 nights a year at or below 32°F.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | May 2 |
| 50% (median) | May 12 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 29 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | August 29 |
| 50% (median) | September 16 |
| 90% (late) | September 28 |
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 99712 — Fairbanks, AK — last frost May 12, first frost Sep 16, zone 3b. 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: Jul 22 to Aug 19
Start indoors: Mar 17 to Mar 31Transplant outside: Apr 14 to Apr 28Sow outdoors: Apr 14 to Apr 28Plant for fall: Jul 8 to Jul 29
Start indoors: Mar 17 to Mar 31Transplant outside: Apr 28 to May 12Plant for fall: Jun 10 to Jul 1
Start indoors: Mar 17 to Mar 31Transplant outside: Apr 21 to May 5Plant for fall: Jun 10 to Jul 1
Start indoors: Mar 17 to Mar 31Transplant outside: Apr 28 to May 12Plant for fall: Jun 10 to Jul 1
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: Jun 24 to Jul 15
Sow outdoors: Mar 31 to Apr 21Plant for fall: Jul 22 to Aug 12
Sow outdoors: Apr 7 to May 19Plant for fall: Aug 5 to Aug 26
Start indoors: Apr 14 to Apr 21Transplant outside: May 26 to Jun 2Sow outdoors: May 19 to Jun 2Plant for fall: Jul 1 to Jul 15
Start indoors: Apr 14 to Apr 21Sow outdoors: May 19 to Jun 2Plant for fall: Jul 8 to Jul 22
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: Jun 24 to Jul 8
Sow outdoors: Apr 21 to May 19Plant for fall: Jul 8 to Jul 22
Sow outdoors: Apr 21 to May 12
Sow outdoors: Apr 28 to May 26Plant for fall: Jul 8 to Jul 22
Sow outdoors: Apr 28 to May 19Plant for fall: Jul 22 to Aug 12
Sow outdoors: May 19 to Jun 9Plant for fall: Jul 1 to Jul 15
Sow outdoors: May 19 to Jun 2
Transplant outside: May 26 to Jun 16
Plant for fall: Sep 2 to Oct 7
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 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 | Jul 22 – Aug 19 |
| Kale | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | Jul 8 – Jul 29 |
| Broccoli | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | Apr 28 – May 12 | — | Jun 10 – Jul 1 |
| Cabbage | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | Apr 21 – May 5 | — | Jun 10 – Jul 1 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | Apr 28 – May 12 | — | Jun 10 – Jul 1 |
| 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 | Jun 24 – Jul 15 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 31 – Apr 21 | Jul 22 – Aug 12 |
| Radishes | — | — | Apr 7 – May 19 | Aug 5 – Aug 26 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 14 – Apr 21 | May 26 – Jun 2 | May 19 – Jun 2 | Jul 1 – Jul 15 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 14 – Apr 21 | — | May 19 – Jun 2 | Jul 8 – Jul 22 |
| 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 | Jun 24 – Jul 8 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 21 – May 19 | Jul 8 – Jul 22 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 21 – May 12 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 28 – May 26 | Jul 8 – Jul 22 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 28 – May 19 | Jul 22 – Aug 12 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 19 – Jun 9 | Jul 1 – Jul 15 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 19 – Jun 2 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 26 – Jun 16 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 2 – Oct 7 |
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 Fairbanks 11 Ne, AK weather station, 7 km away (elevation 1,142 ft (348 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
- Two Rivers May 30 · Sep 2
- Eielson Afb May 20 · Sep 1
- 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 12. 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 16, with about a 10% chance of frost before August 29.
How long is the growing season in Fairbanks, AK?
About 127 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.