College 5 NW, AK Frost Dates & Growing Season

The two dates every College 5 NW garden is planned around, plus ready-computed planting windows for the most popular crops.

Last spring frost
May 13
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Sep 15
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
125 days
frost-free stretch
USDA zone
≈ 2b
estimated from nearby reference
Risky (1 year in 10)MedianSafe (9 years in 10)
Last spring frost May 2 May 13 May 31
First fall frost Sep 28 Sep 15 Aug 29
Hard freeze (28°F), median last May 5 · first Sep 25

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the COLLEGE 5 NW station. "Safe" means frost past that date happens only about one year in ten. Your exact garden can still run days either way with elevation and terrain — check your own ZIP with the frost date lookup.

Planting windows for College 5 NW

Computed from College 5 NW's own frost dates. Click any crop for the full zone-2 growing guide — varieties, spacing, fall plantings, and more.

CropStart seeds indoorsTransplantDirect sow
🍅 Tomatoes Mar 18 – Apr 1 May 20 – May 27
🫑 Peppers Mar 4 – Mar 18 May 27 – Jun 3
🥬 Lettuce Apr 1 – Apr 15 Apr 15 – Apr 29 Apr 15 – May 13
🫛 Peas Apr 1 – Apr 15
🥕 Carrots Apr 22 – May 13
🥦 Broccoli Mar 25 – Apr 8 Apr 22 – May 6
🥬 Kale Apr 1 – Apr 15 Apr 15 – Apr 29 Apr 15 – Apr 29
🥒 Cucumbers Apr 15 – Apr 22 May 20 – May 27 May 20 – May 27
🥒 Zucchini Apr 15 – Apr 22 May 20 – May 27 May 20 – May 27
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) May 20 – May 27
🌽 Sweet Corn May 20 – May 27
🌿 Basil Apr 1 – Apr 15 May 20 – May 27 May 27 – Jun 3
🧄 Garlic Fall: Aug 4 – Sep 1

Want this for all 50 crops, or as a printable seed-shelf schedule? Use the planting calendar and the seed starting scheduler — both can use College 5 NW's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in College 5 NW

At about 125 frost-free days, College 5 NW rewards efficiency: start warm-season crops indoors, favor short-season varieties, and lean on cold-tolerant crops — peas, kale, roots — that shrug off the shoulder-season frosts on either end.

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in College 5 NW, AK?

The average last spring frost in College 5 NW is around May 13, based on 1991–2020 climate normals. That's a median — about half of years see a later frost, so tender crops are safest going out a week or two after this date.

When is the first frost in College 5 NW, AK?

The average first fall frost in College 5 NW arrives around Sep 15. Crops still in the garden need to mature before then, and frost-tender plants need harvesting or protection as the date approaches.

How long is the growing season in College 5 NW?

About 125 frost-free days on average, from May 13 to Sep 15. That favors short-season varieties and transplants for warm-season crops, with cool-season vegetables doing the heavy lifting in spring and fall.

What USDA zone is College 5 NW in?

USDA zone 2b on the 2023 Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Note that zones describe winter cold, not frost timing — these frost dates are the numbers to plan plantings around.