Frost Dates for Ketchikan, AK 99901
Last spring frost April 21 · First fall frost October 27 · 189 frost-free days · USDA Zone 7b
ZIP 99901 has about 13,800 people.
Long season: 189 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans March 30–May 7 (38 days). Fall frost risk spans October 12–November 12 (31 days).
Frost probability for 99901
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | May 7 | April 21 | March 30 |
| Fall (first frost) | October 12 | October 27 | November 12 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at BEAVER FALLS (29.5 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 189-day season in Ketchikan
In Ketchikan (189 frost-free days, a long season), 30 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 25 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant out / sow | Days you have | Verdict | Last sow date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Mar 17 | May 5–May 12 | 147 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 147 available after May 5. | Jun 27 |
| Pepper | Mar 10 | May 5–May 12 | 147 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 147 available after May 5. | Jul 2 |
| Lettuce | Feb 24 | Mar 24–Mar 31 | 224 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 24 and again by Sep 5; both mature before Nov 3. | Sep 5 |
| Carrots | — | Mar 31–Apr 7 | 231 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 231 available after Mar 31. | Aug 25 |
| Cucumber | Mar 31 | May 5–May 12 | 161 | two-plantings: Plant May 5 and again by Jul 31; both mature before Oct 13. | Jul 31 |
| Beans | — | Apr 28–May 12 | 175 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 28 and again by Aug 7; both mature before Oct 20. | Aug 7 |
| Peas | — | Feb 24–May 5 | 252 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 252 available after Feb 24. | Aug 16 |
| Zucchini | Apr 7 | May 5–May 12 | 161 | two-plantings: Plant May 5 and again by Aug 5; both mature before Oct 13. | Aug 5 |
| Onion | Jan 27 | Mar 24–Apr 7 | 224 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 224 available after Mar 24. | — |
| Spinach | — | Feb 24–Apr 14 | 266 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 24 and again by Sep 24; both mature before Nov 17. | Sep 24 |
| Kale | Feb 10 | Mar 24–Apr 7 | 238 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 24 and again by Sep 9; both mature before Nov 17. | Sep 9 |
| Broccoli | Feb 24 | Mar 24–Apr 7 | 224 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 224 available after Mar 24. | Aug 1 |
| Cabbage | Feb 24 | Mar 24–Apr 7 | 238 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 238 available after Mar 24. | Aug 25 |
| Radish | — | Feb 24–May 19 | 252 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 24 and again by Sep 25; both mature before Nov 3. | Sep 25 |
| Beets | — | Feb 24–May 19 | 252 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 24 and again by Aug 26; both mature before Nov 3. | Aug 26 |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 7–Apr 14 | 210 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 210 available after Apr 7. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 27 | 294 | overwinter: Plant Oct 27 to Nov 17; harvest the following summer. | Nov 17 |
| Strawberry | — | Mar 17–May 12 | 245 | perennial: A perennial: plant Mar 17; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Mar 24 | Apr 28–May 5 | 161 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 161 available after Apr 28. | Jul 9 |
| Pumpkin | Apr 7 | May 5–May 5 | 154 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 154 available after May 5. | Jun 14 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 10 | Apr 14–Apr 28 | 203 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 203 available after Apr 14. | Aug 6 |
| Swiss Chard | Feb 24 | Apr 7–Apr 7 | 210 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 7 and again by Aug 26; both mature before Nov 3. | Aug 26 |
| Arugula | — | Feb 24–May 19 | 266 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 24 and again by Sep 24; both mature before Nov 17. | Sep 24 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Feb 24 | Mar 24–Apr 7 | 238 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 238 available after Mar 24. | Jul 26 |
| Butternut Squash | Apr 7 | May 5–May 12 | 154 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 154 available after May 5. | Jun 14 |
| Eggplant | Mar 3 | May 5–May 12 | 147 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 147 available after May 5. | Jul 7 |
| Okra | Mar 24 | Apr 28–May 5 | 168 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 28 and again by Aug 5; both mature before Oct 13. | Aug 5 |
| Basil | Mar 17 | May 12–May 12 | 154 | two-plantings: Plant May 12 and again by Jul 31; both mature before Oct 13. | Jul 31 |
| Cilantro | — | Mar 24–Apr 14 | 224 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 24 and again by Aug 31; both mature before Nov 3. | Aug 31 |
| Parsley | Feb 10 | Apr 28–May 5 | 189 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 189 available after Apr 28. | Aug 11 |
| Celery | Feb 10 | Apr 28–May 12 | 189 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 189 available after Apr 28. | Jun 22 |
| Scallions | Feb 10 | Mar 24–Apr 7 | 238 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 24 and again by Sep 4; both mature before Nov 17. | Sep 4 |
| Turnip | — | Mar 24–Apr 7 | 238 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 24 and again by Sep 14; both mature before Nov 17. | Sep 14 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 10–Mar 24 | 252 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 10 and again by Sep 9; both mature before Nov 17. | Sep 9 |
| Bok Choy | Mar 24 | Apr 14–Apr 21 | 203 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 14 and again by Sep 5; both mature before Nov 3. | Sep 5 |
| Collards | Feb 10 | Mar 24–Apr 7 | 238 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 24 and again by Sep 4; both mature before Nov 17. | Sep 4 |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 7 | May 5–May 12 | 147 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 147 available after May 5. | Jun 22 |
| Chives | Jan 27 | Apr 28–May 5 | 203 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 203 available after Apr 28. | — |
| Dill | — | Feb 24–May 19 | 252 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 24 and again by Aug 26; both mature before Nov 3. | Aug 26 |
| Oregano | Feb 10 | Apr 28–May 5 | 203 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 203 available after Apr 28. | — |
| Rosemary | Jan 27 | Apr 28–May 5 | 189 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 189 available after Apr 28. | — |
| Sage | Feb 24 | Apr 28–May 5 | 203 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 203 available after Apr 28. | — |
| Thyme | Feb 10 | Apr 28–May 5 | 203 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 203 available after Apr 28. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 10 | Apr 7–Apr 21 | 210 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 7 and again by Aug 31; both mature before Nov 3. | Aug 31 |
| Cosmos | Mar 24 | Apr 21–May 5 | 175 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 21 and again by Jul 31; both mature before Oct 13. | Jul 31 |
| Lavender | Jan 27 | Apr 21–May 5 | 210 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 210 available after Apr 21. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 10 | Apr 21–Apr 28 | 175 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 21 and again by Aug 10; both mature before Oct 13. | Aug 10 |
| Melons | Apr 7 | May 5–May 12 | 147 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 147 available after May 5. | Jun 22 |
| Mint | — | Apr 21–May 5 | 210 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 210 available after Apr 21. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Mar 24 | Apr 21–Apr 28 | 175 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 21 and again by Aug 5; both mature before Oct 13. | Aug 5 |
| Pole Beans | — | Apr 28–May 12 | 168 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 168 available after Apr 28. | Jul 26 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Apr 7 | May 5–May 12 | 154 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 154 available after May 5. | Jun 24 |
| Sunflowers | — | Apr 21–May 5 | 175 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 175 available after Apr 21. | Jul 21 |
| Tomatillos | Feb 24 | Apr 28–May 5 | 154 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 154 available after Apr 28. | Jul 2 |
| Watermelon | Apr 7 | Apr 28–May 5 | 154 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 154 available after Apr 28. | Jun 27 |
| Yellow Squash | Apr 7 | May 5–May 12 | 161 | two-plantings: Plant May 5 and again by Aug 5; both mature before Oct 13. | Aug 5 |
| Zinnias | Mar 24 | Apr 21–May 5 | 175 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 21 and again by Jul 31; both mature before Oct 13. | Jul 31 |
Month by month in Ketchikan
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Chives (Jan 27), Lavender (Jan 27), Onion (Jan 27), Rosemary (Jan 27). |
| February | Start indoors: Celery (Feb 10), Collards (Feb 10), Kale (Feb 10), Oregano (Feb 10), Parsley (Feb 10), Scallions (Feb 10), +8 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Feb 24), Beets (Feb 24), Dill (Feb 24), Peas (Feb 24), Radish (Feb 24), Spinach (Feb 24). |
| March | Start indoors: Eggplant (Mar 3), Calendula (Mar 10), Cauliflower (Mar 10), Marigolds (Mar 10), Pepper (Mar 10), Basil (Mar 17), +8 more. Direct sow from: Kohlrabi (Mar 10), Cilantro (Mar 24), Turnip (Mar 24), Carrots (Mar 31). Transplant from: Broccoli (Mar 24), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 24), Cabbage (Mar 24), Collards (Mar 24), Kale (Mar 24), Lettuce (Mar 24), +2 more. Plant: Strawberry (Mar 17). |
| April | Start indoors: Butternut Squash (Apr 7), Cantaloupe (Apr 7), Melons (Apr 7), Pumpkin (Apr 7), Spaghetti Squash (Apr 7), Watermelon (Apr 7), +2 more. Direct sow from: Potatoes (Apr 7), Sunflowers (Apr 21), Beans (Apr 28), Pole Beans (Apr 28). Transplant from: Calendula (Apr 7), Swiss Chard (Apr 7), Bok Choy (Apr 14), Cauliflower (Apr 14), Cosmos (Apr 21), Lavender (Apr 21), +15 more. Last frost around April 21. |
| May | Transplant from: Butternut Squash (May 5), Cantaloupe (May 5), Cucumber (May 5), Eggplant (May 5), Melons (May 5), Pepper (May 5), +6 more. |
| June | Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jun 14), Pumpkin (Jun 14), Cantaloupe (Jun 22), Celery (Jun 22), Melons (Jun 22), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 24), +2 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Pepper (Jul 2), Tomatillos (Jul 2), Eggplant (Jul 7), Corn (Jul 9), Sunflowers (Jul 21), Brussel Sprouts (Jul 26), +5 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Broccoli (Aug 1), Nasturtiums (Aug 5), Okra (Aug 5), Yellow Squash (Aug 5), Zucchini (Aug 5), Cauliflower (Aug 6), +11 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Collards (Sep 4), Scallions (Sep 4), Bok Choy (Sep 5), Lettuce (Sep 5), Kale (Sep 9), Kohlrabi (Sep 9), +4 more. |
| October | Direct sow from: Garlic (Oct 27). First frost around October 27. |
| November | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Nov 17). |
| 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 Ketchikan, AK (ZIP 99901)?
The median last spring frost date for Ketchikan, AK (ZIP code 99901) is around April 21. 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 March 30; one in ten it runs past May 7.
What is the first fall frost date in Ketchikan, AK?
The median first fall frost date for Ketchikan, AK is around October 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 October 12 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Ketchikan, AK?
The frost-free growing season in Ketchikan is about 189 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 Ketchikan (189 frost-free days, a long season), 30 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 25 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is Ketchikan, AK?
Ketchikan, AK is in USDA hardiness zone 7b (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 Ketchikan, AK?
Start tomatoes indoors Mar 17 and plant out May 5 in Ketchikan. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Ketchikan?
Two: plant Mar 24 and again by Sep 5; both mature before Nov 3.
When do I plant garlic in Ketchikan?
Oct 27 to Nov 17; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Ketchikan?
Yes: plant out May 5 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Jun 27 for a fall crop.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Everson (ZIP 98247) has 196 frost-free days, 7 more than Ketchikan (ZIP 99901). See Everson ZIP 98247 frost dates
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