When to Plant Tomatoes in Alaska

In a typical Alaska location, start seeds indoors Mar 21 – Apr 4, then transplant outdoors May 23 – May 30. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Apr 11 in Ketchikan and as late as Jun 18 in Kalifornsky.

Method Start indoors, then transplant

Days to maturity 60–85 days

Start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost; transplant out 1-2 weeks after last frost once soil has warmed.

Tomatoes Planting Dates by City

City	Start indoors	Transplant
Anchorage	Mar 6 – Mar 20	May 8 – May 15
Fairbanks	Mar 21 – Apr 4	May 23 – May 30
Juneau	Feb 23 – Mar 9	Apr 27 – May 4
Eagle River	Mar 14 – Mar 28	May 16 – May 23
Badger	Mar 27 – Apr 10	May 29 – Jun 5
Knik-Fairview	Mar 23 – Apr 6	May 25 – Jun 1
College	Mar 23 – Apr 6	May 25 – Jun 1
Wasilla	Mar 21 – Apr 4	May 23 – May 30
Sitka	Mar 8 – Mar 22	May 10 – May 17
Lakes	Mar 21 – Apr 4	May 23 – May 30
Ketchikan	Feb 7 – Feb 21	Apr 11 – Apr 18
Tanaina	Mar 21 – Apr 4	May 23 – May 30
Kalifornsky	Apr 16 – Apr 30	Jun 18 – Jun 25
Kenai	Mar 29 – Apr 12	May 31 – Jun 7
Meadow Lakes	Mar 21 – Apr 4	May 23 – May 30
Palmer	Mar 11 – Mar 25	May 13 – May 20
Elmendorf Air Force Base	Mar 14 – Mar 28	May 16 – May 23
Bethel	Mar 26 – Apr 9	May 28 – Jun 4
Kodiak	Mar 4 – Mar 18	May 6 – May 13
Sterling	Mar 25 – Apr 8	May 27 – Jun 3

Showing the 20 most populous of 20 Alaska cities. Dates are estimates from each city's NOAA frost normals and university extension timing guidelines. See all Alaska cities.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant tomatoes in Alaska?

When is the last frost in Alaska?

The average last spring frost in Alaska ranges from April 4 in Ketchikan to June 11 in Kalifornsky, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals.

How long do tomatoes take to grow?

Tomatoes typically take 60–85 days from planting to harvest. Start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost; transplant out 1-2 weeks after last frost once soil has warmed.

Other Crops in Alaska

When to plant tomatoes in other states