Fairbanks 11 NE, AK Frost Dates & Growing Season

The two dates every Fairbanks 11 NE garden is planned around, plus ready-computed planting windows for the most popular crops.

Last spring frost
May 12
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Sep 16
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
127 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 12 May 29
First fall frost Sep 28 Sep 16 Aug 29
Hard freeze (28°F), median last May 5 · first Sep 26

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the FAIRBANKS 11 NE 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 Fairbanks 11 NE

Computed from Fairbanks 11 NE'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 17 – Mar 31 May 19 – May 26
🫑 Peppers Mar 3 – Mar 17 May 26 – Jun 2
🥬 Lettuce Mar 31 – Apr 14 Apr 14 – Apr 28 Apr 14 – May 12
🫛 Peas Mar 31 – Apr 14
🥕 Carrots Apr 21 – May 12
🥦 Broccoli Mar 24 – Apr 7 Apr 21 – May 5
🥬 Kale Mar 31 – Apr 14 Apr 14 – Apr 28 Apr 14 – Apr 28
🥒 Cucumbers Apr 14 – Apr 21 May 19 – May 26 May 19 – May 26
🥒 Zucchini Apr 14 – Apr 21 May 19 – May 26 May 19 – May 26
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) May 19 – May 26
🌽 Sweet Corn May 19 – May 26
🌿 Basil Mar 31 – Apr 14 May 19 – May 26 May 26 – Jun 2
🧄 Garlic Fall: Aug 5 – Sep 2

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 Fairbanks 11 NE's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in Fairbanks 11 NE

At about 127 frost-free days, Fairbanks 11 NE 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 Fairbanks 11 NE, AK?

The average last spring frost in Fairbanks 11 NE is around May 12, 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 Fairbanks 11 NE, AK?

The average first fall frost in Fairbanks 11 NE arrives around Sep 16. 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 Fairbanks 11 NE?

About 127 frost-free days on average, from May 12 to Sep 16. 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 Fairbanks 11 NE 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.