Frost Dates for Homer, AK 99603
Last spring frost May 20 · First fall frost September 24 · 127 frost-free days · USDA Zone 6a
ZIP 99603 has about 11,700 people.
Moderate season: 127 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans May 4–June 5 (32 days). Fall frost risk spans September 11–October 8 (27 days).
Frost probability for 99603
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | June 5 | May 20 | May 4 |
| Fall (first frost) | September 11 | September 24 | October 8 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at HOMER AP (19.8 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 127-day season in Homer
In Homer (127 frost-free days, a moderate season), 38 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 15 get two plantings, 2 need an indoor start, 1 crop is perennial.
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant out / sow | Days you have | Verdict | Last sow date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Apr 15 | Jun 3–Jun 10 | 85 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 85 available after Jun 3. | — |
| Pepper | Apr 8 | Jun 3–Jun 10 | 85 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 85 available after Jun 3. | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 25 | Apr 22–Apr 29 | 162 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 22 and again by Aug 3; both mature before Oct 1. | Aug 3 |
| Carrots | — | Apr 29–May 6 | 169 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 169 available after Apr 29. | Jul 23 |
| Cucumber | Apr 29 | Jun 3–Jun 10 | 99 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 99 available after Jun 3. | Jun 28 |
| Beans | — | May 27–Jun 10 | 113 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 113 available after May 27. | Jul 5 |
| Peas | — | Mar 25–Jun 3 | 190 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 190 available after Mar 25. | Jul 14 |
| Zucchini | May 6 | Jun 3–Jun 10 | 99 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 99 available after Jun 3. | Jul 3 |
| Onion | Feb 25 | Apr 22–May 6 | 162 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 162 available after Apr 22. | — |
| Spinach | — | Mar 25–May 13 | 204 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 25 and again by Aug 22; both mature before Oct 15. | Aug 22 |
| Kale | Mar 11 | Apr 22–May 6 | 176 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 22 and again by Aug 7; both mature before Oct 15. | Aug 7 |
| Broccoli | Mar 25 | Apr 22–May 6 | 162 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 162 available after Apr 22. | Jun 29 |
| Cabbage | Mar 25 | Apr 22–May 6 | 176 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 176 available after Apr 22. | Jul 23 |
| Radish | — | Mar 25–Jun 17 | 190 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 25 and again by Aug 23; both mature before Oct 1. | Aug 23 |
| Beets | — | Mar 25–Jun 17 | 190 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 25 and again by Jul 24; both mature before Oct 1. | Jul 24 |
| Potatoes | — | May 6–May 13 | 148 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 148 available after May 6. | — |
| Garlic | — | Sep 24 | 232 | overwinter: Plant Sep 24 to Oct 15; harvest the following summer. | Oct 15 |
| Strawberry | — | Apr 15–Jun 10 | 183 | perennial: A perennial: plant Apr 15; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Apr 22 | May 27–Jun 3 | 99 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 99 available after May 27. | Jun 6 |
| Pumpkin | May 6 | Jun 3–Jun 3 | 92 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 3, the outdoor season is about 8 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Cauliflower | Apr 8 | May 13–May 27 | 141 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 141 available after May 13. | Jul 4 |
| Swiss Chard | Mar 25 | May 6–May 6 | 148 | two-plantings: Plant May 6 and again by Jul 24; both mature before Oct 1. | Jul 24 |
| Arugula | — | Mar 25–Jun 17 | 204 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 25 and again by Aug 22; both mature before Oct 15. | Aug 22 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Mar 25 | Apr 22–May 6 | 176 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 176 available after Apr 22. | Jun 23 |
| Butternut Squash | May 6 | Jun 3–Jun 10 | 92 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 3, the outdoor season is about 8 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Eggplant | Apr 1 | Jun 3–Jun 10 | 85 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 85 available after Jun 3. | Jun 4 |
| Okra | Apr 22 | May 27–Jun 3 | 106 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 106 available after May 27. | Jul 3 |
| Basil | Apr 15 | Jun 10–Jun 10 | 92 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 92 available after Jun 10. | Jun 28 |
| Cilantro | — | Apr 22–May 13 | 162 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 22 and again by Jul 29; both mature before Oct 1. | Jul 29 |
| Parsley | Mar 11 | May 27–Jun 3 | 127 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 127 available after May 27. | Jul 9 |
| Celery | Mar 11 | May 27–Jun 10 | 127 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 127 available after May 27. | — |
| Scallions | Mar 11 | Apr 22–May 6 | 176 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 22 and again by Aug 2; both mature before Oct 15. | Aug 2 |
| Turnip | — | Apr 22–May 6 | 176 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 22 and again by Aug 12; both mature before Oct 15. | Aug 12 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Apr 8–Apr 22 | 190 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 8 and again by Aug 7; both mature before Oct 15. | Aug 7 |
| Bok Choy | Apr 22 | May 13–May 20 | 141 | two-plantings: Plant May 13 and again by Aug 3; both mature before Oct 1. | Aug 3 |
| Collards | Mar 11 | Apr 22–May 6 | 176 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 22 and again by Aug 2; both mature before Oct 15. | Aug 2 |
| Cantaloupe | May 6 | Jun 3–Jun 10 | 85 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 85 available after Jun 3. | — |
| Chives | Feb 25 | May 27–Jun 3 | 141 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 141 available after May 27. | — |
| Dill | — | Mar 25–Jun 17 | 190 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 25 and again by Jul 24; both mature before Oct 1. | Jul 24 |
| Oregano | Mar 11 | May 27–Jun 3 | 141 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 141 available after May 27. | — |
| Rosemary | Feb 25 | May 27–Jun 3 | 127 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 127 available after May 27. | — |
| Sage | Mar 25 | May 27–Jun 3 | 141 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 141 available after May 27. | — |
| Thyme | Mar 11 | May 27–Jun 3 | 141 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 141 available after May 27. | — |
| Calendula | Apr 8 | May 6–May 20 | 148 | two-plantings: Plant May 6 and again by Jul 29; both mature before Oct 1. | Jul 29 |
| Cosmos | Apr 22 | May 20–Jun 3 | 113 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 113 available after May 20. | Jun 28 |
| Lavender | Feb 25 | May 20–Jun 3 | 148 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 148 available after May 20. | — |
| Marigolds | Apr 8 | May 20–May 27 | 113 | fits: 50 days to maturity, 113 available after May 20. | Jul 8 |
| Melons | May 6 | Jun 3–Jun 10 | 85 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 85 available after Jun 3. | — |
| Mint | — | May 20–Jun 3 | 148 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 148 available after May 20. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Apr 22 | May 20–May 27 | 113 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 113 available after May 20. | Jul 3 |
| Pole Beans | — | May 27–Jun 10 | 106 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 106 available after May 27. | Jun 23 |
| Spaghetti Squash | May 6 | Jun 3–Jun 10 | 92 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 92 available after Jun 3. | — |
| Sunflowers | — | May 20–Jun 3 | 113 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 113 available after May 20. | Jun 18 |
| Tomatillos | Mar 25 | May 27–Jun 3 | 92 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 92 available after May 27. | May 30 |
| Watermelon | May 6 | May 27–Jun 3 | 92 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 92 available after May 27. | — |
| Yellow Squash | May 6 | Jun 3–Jun 10 | 99 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 99 available after Jun 3. | Jul 3 |
| Zinnias | Apr 22 | May 20–Jun 3 | 113 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 113 available after May 20. | Jun 28 |
Month by month in Homer
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Plan your garden layout and order seeds. Research varieties suited to your frost dates. |
| February | Start indoors: Chives (Feb 25), Lavender (Feb 25), Onion (Feb 25), Rosemary (Feb 25). |
| March | Start indoors: Celery (Mar 11), Collards (Mar 11), Kale (Mar 11), Oregano (Mar 11), Parsley (Mar 11), Scallions (Mar 11), +8 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Mar 25), Beets (Mar 25), Dill (Mar 25), Peas (Mar 25), Radish (Mar 25), Spinach (Mar 25). |
| April | Start indoors: Eggplant (Apr 1), Calendula (Apr 8), Cauliflower (Apr 8), Marigolds (Apr 8), Pepper (Apr 8), Basil (Apr 15), +8 more. Direct sow from: Kohlrabi (Apr 8), Cilantro (Apr 22), Turnip (Apr 22), Carrots (Apr 29). Transplant from: Broccoli (Apr 22), Brussel Sprouts (Apr 22), Cabbage (Apr 22), Collards (Apr 22), Kale (Apr 22), Lettuce (Apr 22), +2 more. Plant: Strawberry (Apr 15). |
| May | Start indoors: Butternut Squash (May 6), Cantaloupe (May 6), Melons (May 6), Pumpkin (May 6), Spaghetti Squash (May 6), Watermelon (May 6), +2 more. Direct sow from: Potatoes (May 6), Sunflowers (May 20), Beans (May 27), Pole Beans (May 27). Transplant from: Calendula (May 6), Swiss Chard (May 6), Bok Choy (May 13), Cauliflower (May 13), Cosmos (May 20), Lavender (May 20), +15 more. Last frost around May 20. Last sowing dates: Tomatillos (May 30). |
| June | Transplant from: Butternut Squash (Jun 3), Cantaloupe (Jun 3), Cucumber (Jun 3), Eggplant (Jun 3), Melons (Jun 3), Pepper (Jun 3), +6 more. Last sowing dates: Eggplant (Jun 4), Corn (Jun 6), Sunflowers (Jun 18), Brussel Sprouts (Jun 23), Pole Beans (Jun 23), Basil (Jun 28), +4 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Nasturtiums (Jul 3), Okra (Jul 3), Yellow Squash (Jul 3), Zucchini (Jul 3), Cauliflower (Jul 4), Beans (Jul 5), +10 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Collards (Aug 2), Scallions (Aug 2), Bok Choy (Aug 3), Lettuce (Aug 3), Kale (Aug 7), Kohlrabi (Aug 7), +4 more. |
| September | Direct sow from: Garlic (Sep 24). First frost around September 24. |
| October | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Oct 15). |
| 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 Homer, AK (ZIP 99603)?
The median last spring frost date for Homer, AK (ZIP code 99603) is around May 20. 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 4; one in ten it runs past June 5.
What is the first fall frost date in Homer, AK?
The median first fall frost date for Homer, AK is around September 24. 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 September 11 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Homer, AK?
The frost-free growing season in Homer is about 127 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 Homer (127 frost-free days, a moderate season), 38 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 15 get two plantings, 2 need an indoor start, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is Homer, AK?
Homer, AK is in USDA hardiness zone 6a (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 Homer, AK?
Start tomatoes indoors Apr 15 and plant out Jun 3 in Homer. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Homer?
Two: plant Apr 22 and again by Aug 3; both mature before Oct 1.
When do I plant garlic in Homer?
Sep 24 to Oct 15; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I grow Butternut Squash in Homer?
Yes, with help. Even planted out Jun 3, the outdoor season is about 8 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover.
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