Fairbanks, AK Frost Dates & Growing Season

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

Last spring frost
May 16
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Sep 6
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
113 days
frost-free stretch
USDA zone
2b
2023 hardiness map
Risky (1 year in 10)MedianSafe (9 years in 10)
Last spring frost May 5 May 16 May 29
First fall frost Sep 20 Sep 6 Aug 25
Hard freeze (28°F), median last May 7 · first Sep 18

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the Aurora station (2 km from central Fairbanks). "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

Computed from Fairbanks'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 21 – Apr 4 May 23 – May 30
🫑 Peppers Mar 7 – Mar 21 May 30 – Jun 6
🥬 Lettuce Apr 4 – Apr 18 Apr 18 – May 2 Apr 18 – May 16
🫛 Peas Apr 4 – Apr 18
🥕 Carrots Apr 25 – May 16
🥦 Broccoli Mar 28 – Apr 11 Apr 25 – May 9
🥬 Kale Apr 4 – Apr 18 Apr 18 – May 2 Apr 18 – May 2
🥒 Cucumbers Apr 18 – Apr 25 May 23 – May 30 May 23 – May 30
🥒 Zucchini Apr 18 – Apr 25 May 23 – May 30 May 23 – May 30
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) May 23 – May 30
🌽 Sweet Corn May 23 – May 30
🌿 Basil Apr 4 – Apr 18 May 23 – May 30 May 30 – Jun 6
🧄 Garlic Fall: Jul 26 – Aug 23

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's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in Fairbanks

At about 113 frost-free days, Fairbanks 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, AK?

The average last spring frost in Fairbanks is around May 16, 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, AK?

The average first fall frost in Fairbanks arrives around Sep 6. 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?

About 113 frost-free days on average, from May 16 to Sep 6. 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 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.