Frost Dates & Planting Calendar for Kalifornsky, AK
Plan your garden around Kalifornsky, AK's typical frost-free growing season, using NOAA climate normals and a 42-crop planting calendar built for this location.
Last Spring Frost
June 11
Safe Jul 7
Typical Jun 11
Risky May 26
First Fall Frost
September 1
Safe Aug 11
Typical Sep 1
Risky Sep 18
Growing Season
75 days
Typical last frost to typical first frost.
USDA Hardiness Zone
Zone 4b
Very cold winters, focus on short-season varieties and cold-hardy perennials.
Data: NOAA station SOLDOTNA 5SSW, AK US, 8.6 km away.
—
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 | Apr 16 – Apr 30 | — | Jun 18 – Jun 25 | — | 60–85 days | Start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost; transplant out 1-2 weeks after last frost once soil has warmed. |
| Pepper | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | — | Jun 18 – Jul 2 | — | 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 | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | — | Jun 25 – Jul 2 | — | 65–85 days | Warm-season crop, similar timing to pepper; needs consistently warm soil (65F+) to transplant. |
| Cucumber | May 14 – May 21 | Jun 18 – Jun 25 | Jun 18 – Jun 25 | — | 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 21 – May 28 | Jun 18 – Jul 2 | Jun 18 – Jun 25 | — | 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 | May 14 – May 21 | Jun 18 – Jul 2 | Jun 18 – Jun 25 | — | 80–110 days | Long season; direct sow after soil warms, or start indoors 3-4 weeks before last frost in short-season climates. |
| Pumpkin | — | Jun 18 – Jul 2 | — | — | 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 | May 14 – May 21 | — | Jun 25 – Jul 2 | — | 70–90 days | Needs warm soil (65F+); start indoors 3-4 weeks before last frost, transplant 2-3 weeks after last frost. |
| Cantaloupe | May 14 – May 21 | — | Jun 25 – Jul 2 | — | 70–90 days | Same warm-soil requirements as watermelon; avoid disturbing roots when transplanting. |
| Corn | — | Jun 11 – Jun 25 | — | — | 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 | — | Jun 11 – Jun 25 | — | — | 50–65 days | Direct sow at last frost to 2 weeks after, once soil has warmed; frost-tender, do not rush. |
| Pea | — | Apr 30 – May 14 | — | — | 55–70 days | Cold-hardy; direct sow 4-6 weeks before last frost as soon as soil can be worked. |
| Lettuce | — | May 14 – May 28 | — | Jul 7 – Jul 21 | 45–60 days | Cold-hardy; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost. Also transplantable from indoor starts. |
| Spinach | — | Apr 30 – May 14 | — | Jul 7 – Jul 21 | 40–50 days | Very cold-hardy; direct sow 4-6 weeks before last frost as soon as soil can be worked. |
| Kale | — | May 14 – May 28 | — | Jun 23 – Jul 7 | 50–65 days | Cold-hardy; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost or start indoors for earlier transplants. |
| Arugula | — | May 14 – May 28 | — | Jul 21 – Jul 28 | 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 21 – Jun 4 | — | — | 50–60 days | Fairly cold-hardy; direct sow 1-3 weeks before last frost. Tolerates light frost in fall too. |
| Broccoli | Apr 23 – May 7 | — | May 21 – May 28 | Jun 30 – Jul 7 | 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 23 – May 7 | — | May 28 – Jun 4 | Jun 23 – Jun 30 | 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 23 – May 7 | — | May 14 – May 28 | Jun 23 – Jul 7 | 60–100 days | Cold-hardy; start indoors 5-7 weeks before last frost, transplant 2-4 weeks before last frost. |
| Brussels Sprouts | Apr 23 – May 7 | — | May 21 – Jun 4 | — | 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 | — | May 14 – May 28 | — | Jun 9 – Jun 23 | 60–80 days | Direct sow only (does not transplant); sow 2-4 weeks before last frost, as soon as soil can be worked. |
| Beet | — | May 14 – May 28 | — | Jun 23 – Jul 7 | 50–65 days | Direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost; tolerates light frost. |
| Radish | — | May 7 – May 21 | — | Jul 21 – Aug 4 | 22–30 days | Very fast and cold-hardy; direct sow 3-5 weeks before last frost, as soon as soil can be worked. |
| Turnip | — | May 14 – May 28 | — | Jun 23 – Jul 7 | 40–60 days | Cold-hardy; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost. |
| Onion | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | — | May 14 – May 28 | — | 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 4 – Aug 18 | 240–270 days | Fall-planted crop only; not planted in spring in most climates. |
| Potato | — | May 14 – May 28 | — | — | 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 25 – Jul 9 | — | 90–120 days | Set out slips 2-4 weeks after last frost once soil is thoroughly warm (65F+); very frost/cold sensitive. |
| Asparagus | — | — | May 14 – May 28 | — | 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 30 – May 7 | — | Jun 18 – Jun 25 | — | 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 21 – Jun 4 | — | Jul 7 – Jul 21 | 45–70 days | Cool-season, bolts in heat; direct sow 1-3 weeks before last frost, succession sow through spring. |
| Parsley | Apr 16 – Apr 30 | — | May 28 – Jun 4 | — | 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 21 – Jun 4 | — | — | 40–60 days | Taprooted, does not transplant well; direct sow 1-3 weeks before last frost, succession sow through summer. |
| Oregano | Apr 16 – Apr 30 | — | Jun 11 – Jun 18 | — | 80–90 days | Perennial herb; start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost, transplant around/just after last frost date. |
| Thyme | Apr 16 – Apr 30 | — | Jun 11 – Jun 18 | — | 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 | — | Jun 18 – Jul 2 | — | — | 70–100 days | Direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost once soil has warmed; taprooted, resents transplanting. |
| Zinnia | May 14 – May 21 | Jun 18 – Jul 2 | Jun 18 – Jun 25 | — | 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 30 – May 14 | — | Jun 18 – Jun 25 | — | 45–60 days | Frost-tender; start indoors 4-6 weeks before last frost, transplant after all frost danger has passed. |
| Cosmos | May 14 – May 21 | Jun 18 – Jul 2 | Jun 18 – Jun 25 | — | 60–90 days | Easy from direct seed 1-3 weeks after last frost; can also start indoors 3-4 weeks early. |
| Nasturtium | — | Jun 18 – Jul 2 | — | — | 50–65 days | Frost-tender, resents root disturbance; direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost once soil has warmed. |
| Dahlia | — | — | Jun 18 – Jul 2 | — | 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 Kalifornsky, AK?
Based on 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for the SOLDOTNA 5SSW, AK US station, the last spring frost in Kalifornsky typically falls around June 11. A cautious gardener might wait until July 7 (only a 10% chance of a later frost), while May 26 marks an earlier, higher-risk planting date.
When is the first frost in Kalifornsky, AK in fall?
The first fall frost in Kalifornsky typically arrives around September 1. To stay safe, assume frost could start as early as August 11; in milder years it can hold off until September 18.
How long is the growing season in Kalifornsky, AK?
Kalifornsky's average frost-free growing season is about 75 days, running from the typical last spring frost (June 11) to the typical first fall frost (September 1).
What USDA hardiness zone is Kalifornsky, AK in?
Kalifornsky, AK is in USDA plant hardiness zone 4b, per the USDA's 2023 Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Very cold winters, focus on short-season varieties and cold-hardy perennials.