Frost dates for 99950 — Ketchikan, AK
Last spring frostApr 4median date
First fall frostNov 9median date
Growing season219 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone7bZone 7b
How Ketchikan compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Ketchikan falls between March 15 and April 25, a 41-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 19 and December 2.
- The median last frost is 47 days earlier than the Alaska median of May 21.
- Its 219-day growing season is among the longest of the 165 Alaska places with a regular frost season.
- The last frost is typical for zone 7b, where the median is Apr 5.
- The weather station records an average of 67 nights a year at or below 32°F.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 15 |
| 50% (median) | April 4 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 25 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 19 |
| 50% (median) | November 9 |
| 90% (late) | December 2 |
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 Ketchikan, AK
Frost dates for 99950 — Ketchikan, AK — last frost Apr 4, first frost Nov 9, zone 7b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 10 to Jan 24Transplant outside: Mar 7 to Mar 21
Start indoors: Jan 24 to Feb 7Transplant outside: Apr 18 to May 2
Start indoors: Jan 24 to Feb 7Transplant outside: Apr 18 to May 2
Start indoors: Feb 7 to Feb 21Transplant outside: Apr 11 to Apr 25
Start indoors: Feb 7 to Feb 21Transplant outside: Mar 14 to Mar 28Sow outdoors: Mar 7 to Apr 11Plant for fall: Sep 14 to Oct 12
Start indoors: Feb 7 to Feb 21Transplant outside: Mar 7 to Mar 21Sow outdoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21Plant for fall: Aug 31 to Sep 21
Start indoors: Feb 7 to Feb 21Transplant outside: Mar 21 to Apr 4Plant for fall: Aug 3 to Aug 24
Start indoors: Feb 7 to Feb 21Transplant outside: Mar 14 to Mar 28Plant for fall: Aug 3 to Aug 24
Start indoors: Feb 7 to Feb 21Transplant outside: Mar 21 to Apr 4Plant for fall: Aug 3 to Aug 24
Start indoors: Feb 21 to Mar 7Transplant outside: Apr 25 to May 9Sow outdoors: Apr 25 to May 9
Start indoors: Feb 21 to Mar 7Transplant outside: Apr 11 to Apr 25
Sow outdoors: Feb 21 to Mar 14Plant for fall: Aug 17 to Sep 7
Sow outdoors: Feb 21 to Mar 14Plant for fall: Sep 14 to Oct 5
Sow outdoors: Feb 28 to Apr 11Plant for fall: Sep 28 to Oct 19
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 14Transplant outside: Apr 18 to Apr 25Sow outdoors: Apr 11 to Apr 25Plant for fall: Aug 24 to Sep 7
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 14Sow outdoors: Apr 11 to Apr 25Plant for fall: Aug 31 to Sep 14
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 14Sow outdoors: Apr 11 to Apr 25
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 14Transplant outside: Apr 18 to May 2
Sow outdoors: Mar 14 to Apr 11Plant for fall: Aug 17 to Aug 31
Sow outdoors: Mar 14 to Apr 11Plant for fall: Aug 31 to Sep 14
Sow outdoors: Mar 14 to Apr 4
Sow outdoors: Mar 21 to Apr 18Plant for fall: Aug 31 to Sep 14
Sow outdoors: Mar 21 to Apr 11Plant for fall: Sep 14 to Oct 5
Sow outdoors: Apr 11 to May 2Plant for fall: Aug 24 to Sep 7
Sow outdoors: Apr 11 to Apr 25
Transplant outside: Apr 18 to May 9
Plant for fall: Oct 26 to Nov 30
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Ketchikan, AK
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 10 – Jan 24 | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 24 – Feb 7 | Apr 18 – May 2 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 24 – Feb 7 | Apr 18 – May 2 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | Mar 7 – Apr 11 | Sep 14 – Oct 12 |
| Kale | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | Aug 31 – Sep 21 |
| Broccoli | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | — | Aug 3 – Aug 24 |
| Cabbage | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | — | Aug 3 – Aug 24 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | — | Aug 3 – Aug 24 |
| Okra | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | Apr 25 – May 9 | Apr 25 – May 9 | — |
| Basil | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 21 – Mar 14 | Aug 17 – Sep 7 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 21 – Mar 14 | Sep 14 – Oct 5 |
| Radishes | — | — | Feb 28 – Apr 11 | Sep 28 – Oct 19 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 7 – Mar 14 | Apr 18 – Apr 25 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | Aug 24 – Sep 7 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 7 – Mar 14 | — | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | Aug 31 – Sep 14 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 7 – Mar 14 | — | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 7 – Mar 14 | Apr 18 – May 2 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 14 – Apr 11 | Aug 17 – Aug 31 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 14 – Apr 11 | Aug 31 – Sep 14 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 14 – Apr 4 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 21 – Apr 18 | Aug 31 – Sep 14 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 21 – Apr 11 | Sep 14 – Oct 5 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 11 – May 2 | Aug 24 – Sep 7 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 18 – May 9 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 26 – Nov 30 |
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 Beaver Falls, AK weather station, 4 km away (elevation 36 ft (11 m)).
ZIP codes in Ketchikan: 99901 99950
Frost dates near Ketchikan
- Ward Cove Apr 4 · Nov 9
- Metlakatla Apr 14 · Oct 25
- Meyers Chuck May 1 · Oct 13
- Thorne Bay May 1 · Oct 13
- Hydaburg Apr 14 · Nov 1
- Klawock Apr 29 · Oct 16
- Craig Apr 14 · Nov 1
- Coffman Cove May 1 · Oct 13
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Ketchikan, AK?
The median last spring frost in Ketchikan, AK is April 4. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 25, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Ketchikan, AK?
The median first fall frost is November 9, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 19.
How long is the growing season in Ketchikan, AK?
About 219 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Ketchikan, AK?
Ketchikan, AK is in USDA hardiness zone 7b.