Frost Dates for Fairbanks, AK 99709
Last spring frost May 18 · First fall frost September 8 · 113 frost-free days · USDA Zone 3b
ZIP 99709 has about 29,600 people, the largest of 4 ZIP codes in Fairbanks.
Short season: 113 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans May 9–May 27 (18 days). Fall frost risk spans August 24–September 21 (28 days).
Frost probability for 99709
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | May 27 | May 18 | May 9 |
| Fall (first frost) | August 24 | September 8 | September 21 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at COLLEGE 5 NW (17.2 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Frost dates by ZIP code in Fairbanks, AK
| ZIP | Last spring frost (50%) | First fall frost (50%) | Zone |
|---|---|---|---|
| 99709 | May 18 | September 8 | 3b |
| 99701 | May 29 | August 27 | 3a |
| 99775 | May 25 | August 30 | 2b |
| 99790 | May 25 | August 30 | 3b |
Which crops fit a 113-day season in Fairbanks
In Fairbanks (113 frost-free days, a short season), 31 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 15 get two plantings, 7 need an indoor start, 2 don't reliably mature, 1 crop is perennial.
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant out / sow | Days you have | Verdict | Last sow date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Apr 13 | Jun 1–Jun 8 | 71 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 1, the outdoor season is about 9 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Pepper | Apr 6 | Jun 1–Jun 8 | 71 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 1, the outdoor season is about 4 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 23 | Apr 20–Apr 27 | 148 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 20 and again by Jul 18; both mature before Sep 15. | Jul 18 |
| Carrots | — | Apr 27–May 4 | 155 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 155 available after Apr 27. | Jul 7 |
| Cucumber | Apr 27 | Jun 1–Jun 8 | 85 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 85 available after Jun 1. | Jun 12 |
| Beans | — | May 25–Jun 8 | 99 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 99 available after May 25. | Jun 19 |
| Peas | — | Mar 23–Jun 1 | 176 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 176 available after Mar 23. | Jun 28 |
| Zucchini | May 4 | Jun 1–Jun 8 | 85 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 85 available after Jun 1. | Jun 17 |
| Onion | Feb 23 | Apr 20–May 4 | 148 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 148 available after Apr 20. | — |
| Spinach | — | Mar 23–May 11 | 190 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 23 and again by Aug 6; both mature before Sep 29. | Aug 6 |
| Kale | Mar 9 | Apr 20–May 4 | 162 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 20 and again by Jul 22; both mature before Sep 29. | Jul 22 |
| Broccoli | Mar 23 | Apr 20–May 4 | 148 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 148 available after Apr 20. | Jun 13 |
| Cabbage | Mar 23 | Apr 20–May 4 | 162 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 162 available after Apr 20. | Jul 7 |
| Radish | — | Mar 23–Jun 15 | 176 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 23 and again by Aug 7; both mature before Sep 15. | Aug 7 |
| Beets | — | Mar 23–Jun 15 | 176 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 23 and again by Jul 8; both mature before Sep 15. | Jul 8 |
| Potatoes | — | May 4–May 11 | 134 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 134 available after May 4. | — |
| Garlic | — | Sep 8 | 218 | overwinter: Plant Sep 8 to Sep 29; harvest the following summer. | Sep 29 |
| Strawberry | — | Apr 13–Jun 8 | 169 | perennial: A perennial: plant Apr 13; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Apr 20 | May 25–Jun 1 | 85 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 85 available after May 25. | — |
| Pumpkin | May 4 | Jun 1–Jun 1 | 78 | no-fit: Needs 100 days; Fairbanks has 78 after Jun 1. | — |
| Cauliflower | Apr 6 | May 11–May 25 | 127 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 127 available after May 11. | Jun 18 |
| Swiss Chard | Mar 23 | May 4–May 4 | 134 | two-plantings: Plant May 4 and again by Jul 8; both mature before Sep 15. | Jul 8 |
| Arugula | — | Mar 23–Jun 15 | 190 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 23 and again by Aug 6; both mature before Sep 29. | Aug 6 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Mar 23 | Apr 20–May 4 | 162 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 162 available after Apr 20. | Jun 7 |
| Butternut Squash | May 4 | Jun 1–Jun 8 | 78 | no-fit: Needs 100 days; Fairbanks has 78 after Jun 1. | — |
| Eggplant | Mar 30 | Jun 1–Jun 8 | 71 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 71 available after Jun 1. | — |
| Okra | Apr 20 | May 25–Jun 1 | 92 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 92 available after May 25. | Jun 17 |
| Basil | Apr 13 | Jun 8–Jun 8 | 78 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 78 available after Jun 8. | Jun 12 |
| Cilantro | — | Apr 20–May 11 | 148 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 20 and again by Jul 13; both mature before Sep 15. | Jul 13 |
| Parsley | Mar 9 | May 25–Jun 1 | 113 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 113 available after May 25. | Jun 23 |
| Celery | Mar 9 | May 25–Jun 8 | 113 | head-start: Even planted out May 25, the outdoor season is about 7 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Scallions | Mar 9 | Apr 20–May 4 | 162 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 20 and again by Jul 17; both mature before Sep 29. | Jul 17 |
| Turnip | — | Apr 20–May 4 | 162 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 20 and again by Jul 27; both mature before Sep 29. | Jul 27 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Apr 6–Apr 20 | 176 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 6 and again by Jul 22; both mature before Sep 29. | Jul 22 |
| Bok Choy | Apr 20 | May 11–May 18 | 127 | two-plantings: Plant May 11 and again by Jul 18; both mature before Sep 15. | Jul 18 |
| Collards | Mar 9 | Apr 20–May 4 | 162 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 20 and again by Jul 17; both mature before Sep 29. | Jul 17 |
| Cantaloupe | May 4 | Jun 1–Jun 8 | 71 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 1, the outdoor season is about 14 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Chives | Feb 23 | May 25–Jun 1 | 127 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 127 available after May 25. | — |
| Dill | — | Mar 23–Jun 15 | 176 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 23 and again by Jul 8; both mature before Sep 15. | Jul 8 |
| Oregano | Mar 9 | May 25–Jun 1 | 127 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 127 available after May 25. | — |
| Rosemary | Feb 23 | May 25–Jun 1 | 113 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 113 available after May 25. | — |
| Sage | Mar 23 | May 25–Jun 1 | 127 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 127 available after May 25. | — |
| Thyme | Mar 9 | May 25–Jun 1 | 127 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 127 available after May 25. | — |
| Calendula | Apr 6 | May 4–May 18 | 134 | two-plantings: Plant May 4 and again by Jul 13; both mature before Sep 15. | Jul 13 |
| Cosmos | Apr 20 | May 18–Jun 1 | 99 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 99 available after May 18. | Jun 12 |
| Lavender | Feb 23 | May 18–Jun 1 | 134 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 134 available after May 18. | — |
| Marigolds | Apr 6 | May 18–May 25 | 99 | fits: 50 days to maturity, 99 available after May 18. | Jun 22 |
| Melons | May 4 | Jun 1–Jun 8 | 71 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 1, the outdoor season is about 14 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Mint | — | May 18–Jun 1 | 134 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 134 available after May 18. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Apr 20 | May 18–May 25 | 99 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 99 available after May 18. | Jun 17 |
| Pole Beans | — | May 25–Jun 8 | 92 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 92 available after May 25. | Jun 7 |
| Spaghetti Squash | May 4 | Jun 1–Jun 8 | 78 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 1, the outdoor season is about 12 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Sunflowers | — | May 18–Jun 1 | 99 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 99 available after May 18. | Jun 2 |
| Tomatillos | Mar 23 | May 25–Jun 1 | 78 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 78 available after May 25. | — |
| Watermelon | May 4 | May 25–Jun 1 | 78 | head-start: Even planted out May 25, the outdoor season is about 2 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Yellow Squash | May 4 | Jun 1–Jun 8 | 85 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 85 available after Jun 1. | Jun 17 |
| Zinnias | Apr 20 | May 18–Jun 1 | 99 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 99 available after May 18. | Jun 12 |
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 indoors: Chives (Feb 23), Lavender (Feb 23), Onion (Feb 23), Rosemary (Feb 23). |
| March | Start indoors: Celery (Mar 9), Collards (Mar 9), Kale (Mar 9), Oregano (Mar 9), Parsley (Mar 9), Scallions (Mar 9), +9 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Mar 23), Beets (Mar 23), Dill (Mar 23), Peas (Mar 23), Radish (Mar 23), Spinach (Mar 23). |
| April | Start indoors: Calendula (Apr 6), Cauliflower (Apr 6), Marigolds (Apr 6), Pepper (Apr 6), Basil (Apr 13), Tomato (Apr 13), +7 more. Direct sow from: Kohlrabi (Apr 6), Cilantro (Apr 20), Turnip (Apr 20), Carrots (Apr 27). Transplant from: Broccoli (Apr 20), Brussel Sprouts (Apr 20), Cabbage (Apr 20), Collards (Apr 20), Kale (Apr 20), Lettuce (Apr 20), +2 more. Plant: Strawberry (Apr 13). |
| May | Start indoors: Butternut Squash (May 4), Cantaloupe (May 4), Melons (May 4), Pumpkin (May 4), Spaghetti Squash (May 4), Watermelon (May 4), +2 more. Direct sow from: Potatoes (May 4), Sunflowers (May 18), Beans (May 25), Pole Beans (May 25). Transplant from: Calendula (May 4), Swiss Chard (May 4), Bok Choy (May 11), Cauliflower (May 11), Cosmos (May 18), Lavender (May 18), +15 more. Last frost around May 18. |
| June | Transplant from: Butternut Squash (Jun 1), Cantaloupe (Jun 1), Cucumber (Jun 1), Eggplant (Jun 1), Melons (Jun 1), Pepper (Jun 1), +6 more. Last sowing dates: Sunflowers (Jun 2), Brussel Sprouts (Jun 7), Pole Beans (Jun 7), Basil (Jun 12), Cosmos (Jun 12), Cucumber (Jun 12), +11 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Cabbage (Jul 7), Carrots (Jul 7), Beets (Jul 8), Dill (Jul 8), Swiss Chard (Jul 8), Calendula (Jul 13), +8 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Arugula (Aug 6), Spinach (Aug 6), Radish (Aug 7). |
| September | Direct sow from: Garlic (Sep 8). First frost around September 8. Last sowing dates: Garlic (Sep 29). |
| October | Harvest remaining cold-hardy crops: kale, carrots, and beets. Plant garlic bulbs for next year. |
| 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 99709)?
The median last spring frost date for Fairbanks, AK (ZIP code 99709) is around May 18. 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 May 27.
What is the first fall frost date in Fairbanks, AK?
The median first fall frost date for Fairbanks, AK is around September 8. 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 24 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 113 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 (113 frost-free days, a short season), 31 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 15 get two plantings, 7 need an indoor start, 2 don't reliably mature, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is Fairbanks, AK?
Fairbanks, AK is in USDA hardiness zone 3b (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 13 and plant out Jun 1 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 Apr 20 and again by Jul 18; both mature before Sep 15.
When do I plant garlic in Fairbanks?
Sep 8 to Sep 29; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I grow Celery in Fairbanks?
Yes, with help. Even planted out May 25, the outdoor season is about 7 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover.
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