Frost Dates & Planting Calendar for Badger, AK
Plan your garden around Badger, AK's typical frost-free growing season, using NOAA climate normals and a 42-crop planting calendar built for this location.
Last Spring Frost
May 22
Safe Jun 4
Typical May 22
Risky May 12
First Fall Frost
September 2
Safe Aug 20
Typical Sep 2
Risky Sep 17
Growing Season
102 days
Typical last frost to typical first frost.
USDA Hardiness Zone
Zone 2a
Extreme cold winters — stick to the hardiest perennials and treat most vegetables as annuals started well after the ground thaws.
Data: NOAA station N POLE 1N, AK US, 10.2 km away.
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days until the typical last spring frost
Monthly Temperatures
Avg. high
Avg. temp
Avg. low
Planting Calendar
| Crop | Start indoors | Direct sow | Transplant | Fall planting | Maturity | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | — | May 29 – Jun 5 | — | 60–85 days | Start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost; transplant out 1-2 weeks after last frost once soil has warmed. |
| Pepper | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | — | May 29 – Jun 12 | — | 60–90 days | Slow to germinate; start indoors 8-10 weeks before last frost. Transplant only once nights stay above 55F, 1-3 weeks after last frost. |
| Eggplant | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | — | Jun 5 – Jun 12 | — | 65–85 days | Warm-season crop, similar timing to pepper; needs consistently warm soil (65F+) to transplant. |
| Cucumber | Apr 24 – May 1 | May 29 – Jun 5 | May 29 – Jun 5 | — | 50–65 days | Can be started indoors 3-4 weeks before transplanting, or direct-sown 1-2 weeks after last frost once soil is warm. |
| Zucchini | May 1 – May 8 | May 29 – Jun 12 | May 29 – Jun 5 | — | 45–55 days | Fast-growing squash; direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost, or start indoors 2-3 weeks early for a head start. |
| Winter Squash | Apr 24 – May 1 | May 29 – Jun 12 | May 29 – Jun 5 | — | 80–110 days | Long season; direct sow after soil warms, or start indoors 3-4 weeks before last frost in short-season climates. |
| Pumpkin | — | May 29 – Jun 12 | — | — | 90–120 days | Direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost; back-time from your first fall frost so the 90-120 day maturity window lands before it. |
| Watermelon | Apr 24 – May 1 | — | Jun 5 – Jun 12 | — | 70–90 days | Needs warm soil (65F+); start indoors 3-4 weeks before last frost, transplant 2-3 weeks after last frost. |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 24 – May 1 | — | Jun 5 – Jun 12 | — | 70–90 days | Same warm-soil requirements as watermelon; avoid disturbing roots when transplanting. |
| Corn | — | May 22 – Jun 5 | — | — | 60–100 days | Direct sow at last frost to 2 weeks after, once soil reaches 60F; does not transplant well. Succession sow every 2 weeks. |
| Green Bean | — | May 22 – Jun 5 | — | — | 50–65 days | Direct sow at last frost to 2 weeks after, once soil has warmed; frost-tender, do not rush. |
| Pea | — | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | — | — | 55–70 days | Cold-hardy; direct sow 4-6 weeks before last frost as soon as soil can be worked. |
| Lettuce | — | Apr 24 – May 8 | — | Jul 8 – Jul 22 | 45–60 days | Cold-hardy; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost. Also transplantable from indoor starts. |
| Spinach | — | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | — | Jul 8 – Jul 22 | 40–50 days | Very cold-hardy; direct sow 4-6 weeks before last frost as soon as soil can be worked. |
| Kale | — | Apr 24 – May 8 | — | Jun 24 – Jul 8 | 50–65 days | Cold-hardy; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost or start indoors for earlier transplants. |
| Arugula | — | Apr 24 – May 8 | — | Jul 22 – Jul 29 | 30–40 days | Fast-growing, cold-tolerant green; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost, succession sow every 2-3 weeks. |
| Swiss Chard | — | May 1 – May 15 | — | — | 50–60 days | Fairly cold-hardy; direct sow 1-3 weeks before last frost. Tolerates light frost in fall too. |
| Broccoli | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | — | May 1 – May 8 | Jul 1 – Jul 8 | 55–80 days | Start indoors 5-7 weeks before last frost; transplant out 2-3 weeks before last frost (hardens off to light frost). |
| Cauliflower | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | — | May 8 – May 15 | Jun 24 – Jul 1 | 55–85 days | Fussier than broccoli about temperature swings; start indoors 5-7 weeks before last frost, transplant 1-2 weeks before last frost. |
| Cabbage | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | — | Apr 24 – May 8 | Jun 24 – Jul 8 | 60–100 days | Cold-hardy; start indoors 5-7 weeks before last frost, transplant 2-4 weeks before last frost. |
| Brussels Sprouts | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | — | May 1 – May 15 | — | 90–110 days | Long-season crop best timed to mature after a light fall frost for sweetest flavor; start indoors 5-7 weeks before last frost. |
| Carrot | — | Apr 24 – May 8 | — | Jun 10 – Jun 24 | 60–80 days | Direct sow only (does not transplant); sow 2-4 weeks before last frost, as soon as soil can be worked. |
| Beet | — | Apr 24 – May 8 | — | Jun 24 – Jul 8 | 50–65 days | Direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost; tolerates light frost. |
| Radish | — | Apr 17 – May 1 | — | Jul 22 – Aug 5 | 22–30 days | Very fast and cold-hardy; direct sow 3-5 weeks before last frost, as soon as soil can be worked. |
| Turnip | — | Apr 24 – May 8 | — | Jun 24 – Jul 8 | 40–60 days | Cold-hardy; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost. |
| Onion | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | — | Apr 24 – May 8 | — | 90–120 days | Start seeds indoors 8-10 weeks before last frost (or use sets/transplants); set out 2-4 weeks before last frost, very cold-tolerant as seedlings. |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Aug 5 – Aug 19 | 240–270 days | Fall-planted crop only; not planted in spring in most climates. |
| Potato | — | Apr 24 – May 8 | — | — | 70–120 days | Plant seed potatoes 2-4 weeks before last frost, as soon as soil can be worked and is above 45F; light frost on emerging foliage is usually tolerated. |
| Sweet Potato | — | — | Jun 5 – Jun 19 | — | 90–120 days | Set out slips 2-4 weeks after last frost once soil is thoroughly warm (65F+); very frost/cold sensitive. |
| Asparagus | — | — | Apr 24 – May 8 | — | 730–1095 days | Perennial; plant crowns 2-4 weeks before last frost as soon as soil can be worked. Takes 2-3 years to full production. |
| Crop | Start indoors | Direct sow | Transplant | Fall planting | Maturity | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basil | Apr 10 – Apr 17 | — | May 29 – Jun 5 | — | 50–70 days | Very frost/cold sensitive; start indoors 5-6 weeks before last frost, transplant only after all danger of frost (1-2 weeks after) and nights stay warm. |
| Cilantro | — | May 1 – May 15 | — | Jul 8 – Jul 22 | 45–70 days | Cool-season, bolts in heat; direct sow 1-3 weeks before last frost, succession sow through spring. |
| Parsley | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | — | May 8 – May 15 | — | 70–90 days | Slow to germinate; start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost, transplant 1-2 weeks before last frost (biennial, cold-tolerant). |
| Dill | — | May 1 – May 15 | — | — | 40–60 days | Taprooted, does not transplant well; direct sow 1-3 weeks before last frost, succession sow through summer. |
| Oregano | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | — | May 22 – May 29 | — | 80–90 days | Perennial herb; start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost, transplant around/just after last frost date. |
| Thyme | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | — | May 22 – May 29 | — | 85–95 days | Perennial herb, slow from seed; start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost, transplant around/after last frost. |
| Crop | Start indoors | Direct sow | Transplant | Fall planting | Maturity | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunflower | — | May 29 – Jun 12 | — | — | 70–100 days | Direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost once soil has warmed; taprooted, resents transplanting. |
| Zinnia | Apr 24 – May 1 | May 29 – Jun 12 | May 29 – Jun 5 | — | 60–70 days | Frost-tender; direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost, or start indoors 3-4 weeks early for earlier blooms. |
| Marigold | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | — | May 29 – Jun 5 | — | 45–60 days | Frost-tender; start indoors 4-6 weeks before last frost, transplant after all frost danger has passed. |
| Cosmos | Apr 24 – May 1 | May 29 – Jun 12 | May 29 – Jun 5 | — | 60–90 days | Easy from direct seed 1-3 weeks after last frost; can also start indoors 3-4 weeks early. |
| Nasturtium | — | May 29 – Jun 12 | — | — | 50–65 days | Frost-tender, resents root disturbance; direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost once soil has warmed. |
| Dahlia | — | — | May 29 – Jun 12 | — | 90–120 days | Plant tubers 1-3 weeks after last frost once soil is warm (60F+); very frost-sensitive. |
Date ranges are estimates based on university extension guidelines and this city's NOAA frost normals — not a guarantee. Scroll to see all columns on narrow screens.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the last frost in Badger, AK?
Based on 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for the N POLE 1N, AK US station, the last spring frost in Badger typically falls around May 22. A cautious gardener might wait until June 4 (only a 10% chance of a later frost), while May 12 marks an earlier, higher-risk planting date.
When is the first frost in Badger, AK in fall?
The first fall frost in Badger typically arrives around September 2. To stay safe, assume frost could start as early as August 20; in milder years it can hold off until September 17.
How long is the growing season in Badger, AK?
Badger's average frost-free growing season is about 102 days, running from the typical last spring frost (May 22) to the typical first fall frost (September 2).
What USDA hardiness zone is Badger, AK in?
Badger, AK is in USDA plant hardiness zone 2a, per the USDA's 2023 Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Extreme cold winters — stick to the hardiest perennials and treat most vegetables as annuals started well after the ground thaws.