Alaska Planting Calendar

Frost dates, growing zones, and planting dates for Alaska gardeners.

Zone 1a Zone 2a Zone 2b Zone 3a Zone 3b Zone 4a Zone 4b Zone 5a Zone 5b Zone 6a

The Short Answer

Alaska spans USDA zones 1a through 6a, which means planting dates vary significantly across the state. Interior Alaska has an average last frost around May 15 - Jun 1, while Southeast Alaska sees its last frost around Apr 15 - May 5. Use our homepage tool with your zip code for dates specific to your exact location.

Alaska Frost Dates by Region

Extreme daylight variation. Summer days of 18-24 hours of sunlight accelerate growth. Very short growing season in interior.

Region	Zones	Last Frost (Spring)	First Frost (Fall)
Interior Alaska	1a, 2a, 2b	May 15 - Jun 1	Aug 20 - Sep 10
Southcentral Alaska	3b, 4a, 4b	May 1 - May 20	Sep 10 - Sep 25
Southeast Alaska	5a, 5b, 6a	Apr 15 - May 5	Sep 25 - Oct 15

Soil & Growing Conditions

Varies widely. Interior has permafrost challenges. Raised beds essential for warming soil. Highly acidic soils common.

What to Plant in Alaska

Alaska's short growing season rewards strategic planning. Cold-hardy crops are your strength, and warm-season crops need indoor starting. These are the best performers for Alaska's climate:

Top Picks for Alaska

Kale Garlic Potatoes Peas Carrots Lettuce Broccoli Beets Radishes Spinach Beans (Green/Snap)Cabbage Daffodils

Worth the Effort

With indoor starting and season extension, Alaska gardeners also grow excellent tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, and sunflowers. The long summer daylight hours drive faster growth than you'd expect:

Tomatoes Peppers Cucumbers Squash (Summer)Basil Sunflowers Zinnias Corn (Sweet)

Browse all 100 plants — or enter your zip code for personalized planting dates.

Neighboring States

Gardeners near state borders may find useful information in neighboring state guides:

Alabama Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming

Note: Frost dates are based on NOAA 30-year Climate Normals and represent historical averages. Actual frost dates can vary significantly year to year. Zone data is from the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map.

Last reviewed: March 29, 2026