Fairbanks International Airport, AK Frost Dates & Growing Season

The two dates every Fairbanks International Airport 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 13
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
123 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 26
First fall frost Sep 24 Sep 13 Aug 29
Hard freeze (28°F), median last May 4 · first Sep 23

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the FAIRBANKS INTL AP 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 International Airport

Computed from Fairbanks International Airport'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 2 – Aug 30

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 International Airport's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in Fairbanks International Airport

At about 123 frost-free days, Fairbanks International Airport 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 International Airport, AK?

The average last spring frost in Fairbanks International Airport 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 Fairbanks International Airport, AK?

The average first fall frost in Fairbanks International Airport arrives around Sep 13. 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 International Airport?

About 123 frost-free days on average, from May 13 to Sep 13. 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 International Airport 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.