Frost Dates for Fairbanks, AK 99701
Fairbanks has 4 ZIP codes. The Fairbanks, AK frost page lists all of them with their dates.
Last spring frost May 29 · First fall frost August 27 · 90 frost-free days · USDA Zone 3a
ZIP 99701 has about 18,100 people, one of 4 ZIP codes in Fairbanks.
Short season: 90 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans May 9–June 22 (44 days). Fall frost risk spans August 13–September 9 (27 days).
Frost probability for 99701
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | June 22 | May 29 | May 9 |
| Fall (first frost) | August 13 | August 27 | September 9 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at BETTLES AP (80.3 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 90-day season in Fairbanks
In Fairbanks (90 frost-free days, a short season), 29 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 13 get two plantings, 3 need an indoor start, 10 don't reliably mature, 1 crop is perennial.
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant out / sow | Days you have | Verdict | Last sow date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Apr 24 | Jun 12–Jun 19 | 48 | no-fit: Needs 80 days; Fairbanks has 48 after Jun 12. | — |
| Pepper | Apr 17 | Jun 12–Jun 19 | 48 | no-fit: Needs 75 days; Fairbanks has 48 after Jun 12. | — |
| Lettuce | Apr 3 | May 1–May 8 | 125 | two-plantings: Plant May 1 and again by Jul 6; both mature before Sep 3. | Jul 6 |
| Carrots | — | May 8–May 15 | 132 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 132 available after May 8. | Jun 25 |
| Cucumber | May 8 | Jun 12–Jun 19 | 62 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 62 available after Jun 12. | — |
| Beans | — | Jun 5–Jun 19 | 76 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 76 available after Jun 5. | Jun 7 |
| Peas | — | Apr 3–Jun 12 | 153 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 153 available after Apr 3. | Jun 16 |
| Zucchini | May 15 | Jun 12–Jun 19 | 62 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 62 available after Jun 12. | — |
| Onion | Mar 6 | May 1–May 15 | 125 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 125 available after May 1. | — |
| Spinach | — | Apr 3–May 22 | 167 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 3 and again by Jul 25; both mature before Sep 17. | Jul 25 |
| Kale | Mar 20 | May 1–May 15 | 139 | two-plantings: Plant May 1 and again by Jul 10; both mature before Sep 17. | Jul 10 |
| Broccoli | Apr 3 | May 1–May 15 | 125 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 125 available after May 1. | Jun 1 |
| Cabbage | Apr 3 | May 1–May 15 | 139 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 139 available after May 1. | Jun 25 |
| Radish | — | Apr 3–Jun 26 | 153 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 3 and again by Jul 26; both mature before Sep 3. | Jul 26 |
| Beets | — | Apr 3–Jun 26 | 153 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 3 and again by Jun 26; both mature before Sep 3. | Jun 26 |
| Potatoes | — | May 15–May 22 | 111 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 111 available after May 15. | — |
| Garlic | — | Aug 27 | 195 | overwinter: Plant Aug 27 to Sep 17; harvest the following summer. | Sep 17 |
| Strawberry | — | Apr 24–Jun 19 | 146 | perennial: A perennial: plant Apr 24; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | May 1 | Jun 5–Jun 12 | 62 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 5, the outdoor season is about 13 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Pumpkin | May 15 | Jun 12–Jun 12 | 55 | no-fit: Needs 100 days; Fairbanks has 55 after Jun 12. | — |
| Cauliflower | Apr 17 | May 22–Jun 5 | 104 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 104 available after May 22. | Jun 6 |
| Swiss Chard | Apr 3 | May 15–May 15 | 111 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 111 available after May 15. | Jun 26 |
| Arugula | — | Apr 3–Jun 26 | 167 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 3 and again by Jul 25; both mature before Sep 17. | Jul 25 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Apr 3 | May 1–May 15 | 139 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 139 available after May 1. | May 26 |
| Butternut Squash | May 15 | Jun 12–Jun 19 | 55 | no-fit: Needs 100 days; Fairbanks has 55 after Jun 12. | — |
| Eggplant | Apr 10 | Jun 12–Jun 19 | 48 | no-fit: Needs 70 days; Fairbanks has 48 after Jun 12. | — |
| Okra | May 1 | Jun 5–Jun 12 | 69 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 69 available after Jun 5. | — |
| Basil | Apr 24 | Jun 19–Jun 19 | 55 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 19, the outdoor season is about 5 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Cilantro | — | May 1–May 22 | 125 | two-plantings: Plant May 1 and again by Jul 1; both mature before Sep 3. | Jul 1 |
| Parsley | Mar 20 | Jun 5–Jun 12 | 90 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 90 available after Jun 5. | Jun 11 |
| Celery | Mar 20 | Jun 5–Jun 19 | 90 | no-fit: Needs 120 days; Fairbanks has 90 after Jun 5. | — |
| Scallions | Mar 20 | May 1–May 15 | 139 | two-plantings: Plant May 1 and again by Jul 5; both mature before Sep 17. | Jul 5 |
| Turnip | — | May 1–May 15 | 139 | two-plantings: Plant May 1 and again by Jul 15; both mature before Sep 17. | Jul 15 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Apr 17–May 1 | 153 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 17 and again by Jul 10; both mature before Sep 17. | Jul 10 |
| Bok Choy | May 1 | May 22–May 29 | 104 | two-plantings: Plant May 22 and again by Jul 6; both mature before Sep 3. | Jul 6 |
| Collards | Mar 20 | May 1–May 15 | 139 | two-plantings: Plant May 1 and again by Jul 5; both mature before Sep 17. | Jul 5 |
| Cantaloupe | May 15 | Jun 12–Jun 19 | 48 | no-fit: Needs 85 days; Fairbanks has 48 after Jun 12. | — |
| Chives | Mar 6 | Jun 5–Jun 12 | 104 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 104 available after Jun 5. | — |
| Dill | — | Apr 3–Jun 26 | 153 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 3 and again by Jun 26; both mature before Sep 3. | Jun 26 |
| Oregano | Mar 20 | Jun 5–Jun 12 | 104 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 104 available after Jun 5. | — |
| Rosemary | Mar 6 | Jun 5–Jun 12 | 90 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 90 available after Jun 5. | — |
| Sage | Apr 3 | Jun 5–Jun 12 | 104 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 104 available after Jun 5. | — |
| Thyme | Mar 20 | Jun 5–Jun 12 | 104 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 104 available after Jun 5. | — |
| Calendula | Apr 17 | May 15–May 29 | 111 | fits: 50 days to maturity, 111 available after May 15. | Jul 1 |
| Cosmos | May 1 | May 29–Jun 12 | 76 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 76 available after May 29. | May 31 |
| Lavender | Mar 6 | May 29–Jun 12 | 111 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 111 available after May 29. | — |
| Marigolds | Apr 17 | May 29–Jun 5 | 76 | fits: 50 days to maturity, 76 available after May 29. | Jun 10 |
| Melons | May 15 | Jun 12–Jun 19 | 48 | no-fit: Needs 85 days; Fairbanks has 48 after Jun 12. | — |
| Mint | — | May 29–Jun 12 | 111 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 111 available after May 29. | — |
| Nasturtiums | May 1 | May 29–Jun 5 | 76 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 76 available after May 29. | Jun 5 |
| Pole Beans | — | Jun 5–Jun 19 | 69 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 69 available after Jun 5. | — |
| Spaghetti Squash | May 15 | Jun 12–Jun 19 | 55 | no-fit: Needs 90 days; Fairbanks has 55 after Jun 12. | — |
| Sunflowers | — | May 29–Jun 12 | 76 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 76 available after May 29. | — |
| Tomatillos | Apr 3 | Jun 5–Jun 12 | 55 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 5, the outdoor season is about 20 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Watermelon | May 15 | Jun 5–Jun 12 | 55 | no-fit: Needs 80 days; Fairbanks has 55 after Jun 5. | — |
| Yellow Squash | May 15 | Jun 12–Jun 19 | 62 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 62 available after Jun 12. | — |
| Zinnias | May 1 | May 29–Jun 12 | 76 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 76 available after May 29. | May 31 |
Month by month in Fairbanks
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Plan your garden layout and order seeds. Research varieties suited to your frost dates. |
| February | Start the slowest-growing crops indoors: onions, leeks, and celery (10–12 weeks before last frost). |
| March | Start indoors: Chives (Mar 6), Lavender (Mar 6), Onion (Mar 6), Rosemary (Mar 6), Celery (Mar 20), Collards (Mar 20), +5 more. |
| April | Start indoors: Broccoli (Apr 3), Brussel Sprouts (Apr 3), Cabbage (Apr 3), Lettuce (Apr 3), Sage (Apr 3), Swiss Chard (Apr 3), +8 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Apr 3), Beets (Apr 3), Dill (Apr 3), Peas (Apr 3), Radish (Apr 3), Spinach (Apr 3), +1 more. Plant: Strawberry (Apr 24). |
| May | Start indoors: Bok Choy (May 1), Corn (May 1), Cosmos (May 1), Nasturtiums (May 1), Okra (May 1), Zinnias (May 1), +9 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (May 1), Turnip (May 1), Carrots (May 8), Potatoes (May 15), Sunflowers (May 29). Transplant from: Broccoli (May 1), Brussel Sprouts (May 1), Cabbage (May 1), Collards (May 1), Kale (May 1), Lettuce (May 1), +12 more. Last frost around May 29. Last sowing dates: Brussel Sprouts (May 26), Cosmos (May 31), Zinnias (May 31). |
| June | Direct sow from: Beans (Jun 5), Pole Beans (Jun 5). Transplant from: Celery (Jun 5), Chives (Jun 5), Corn (Jun 5), Okra (Jun 5), Oregano (Jun 5), Parsley (Jun 5), +17 more. Last sowing dates: Broccoli (Jun 1), Nasturtiums (Jun 5), Cauliflower (Jun 6), Beans (Jun 7), Marigolds (Jun 10), Parsley (Jun 11), +6 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Calendula (Jul 1), Cilantro (Jul 1), Collards (Jul 5), Scallions (Jul 5), Bok Choy (Jul 6), Lettuce (Jul 6), +6 more. |
| August | Direct sow from: Garlic (Aug 27). First frost around August 27. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Sep 17). |
| October | Clean up spent plants. Add compost to beds. Rest, review, and plan next year's garden. |
| November | Clean up spent plants. Add compost to beds. Rest, review, and plan next year's garden. |
| December | Clean up spent plants. Add compost to beds. Rest, review, and plan next year's garden. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last frost date for Fairbanks, AK (ZIP 99701)?
The median last spring frost date for Fairbanks, AK (ZIP code 99701) is around May 29. This is the 50th-percentile date — meaning half of all years see frost end before this date. Use the 10% and 90% dates to understand the full range of risk in your area. One year in ten frost ends before May 9; one in ten it runs past June 22.
What is the first fall frost date in Fairbanks, AK?
The median first fall frost date for Fairbanks, AK is around August 27. Plan to harvest or protect frost-sensitive crops like tomatoes and peppers at least a week before this date to avoid losses. The first frost arrives around August 13 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Fairbanks, AK?
The frost-free growing season in Fairbanks is about 90 days. This window — from your last spring frost to your first fall frost — is when warm-season vegetables thrive. Cold-hardy crops like kale, spinach, and peas can extend your season by weeks on either side. In Fairbanks (90 frost-free days, a short season), 29 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 13 get two plantings, 3 need an indoor start, 10 don't reliably mature, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is Fairbanks, AK?
Fairbanks, AK is in USDA hardiness zone 3a (2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map). Zones come from the average coldest winter temperature, so they tell you which perennials survive the winter; the frost dates on this page tell you when to plant.
When should I start tomatoes indoors in Fairbanks, AK?
Start tomatoes indoors Apr 24 and plant out Jun 12 in Fairbanks. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Fairbanks?
Two: plant May 1 and again by Jul 6; both mature before Sep 3.
When do I plant garlic in Fairbanks?
Aug 27 to Sep 17; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I grow Celery in Fairbanks?
Not reliably outdoors. Needs 120 days; Fairbanks has 90 after Jun 5.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Fairbanks (ZIP 99709) has 113 frost-free days, 23 more than Fairbanks (ZIP 99701). See Fairbanks ZIP 99709 frost dates
Nearby and related
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