Alaska's short but intense growing season is legendary, with up to 20 hours of daylight in mid-summer that can produce giant vegetables. Most of the state's agriculture happens in the Mat-Su Valley and the Tanana Valley near Fairbanks, where summers are warm enough for many common crops.
Success in Alaska requires careful attention to soil temperature and protection from sudden cold spells. The long days mean plants grow rapidly, but the window from the last spring frost in late May to the first fall frost in early September is narrow.
In much of Alaska, it's late May or early June. In the interior, it can be even later.
Start them in late March or early April, as you'll need large transplants to make the most of the short season.
Yes, hardy crops like peas, potatoes, and kale can handle light frost and cold soil better than others.
Alaska spans multiple climate zones, from the maritime coast to the subarctic interior.
There are no frost-free areas in Alaska, though some coastal areas have very mild winters.
We use your zip code to find your local frost dates and calculate the best times for each crop.