Zone 2a Frost Dates & Planting Calendar
USDA Zone 2a has average coldest-winter lows of −50°F to −45°F. Across the 1 cities we track in this zone, the typical last spring frost is around May 22 and the typical first fall frost around September 2.
Winter low −50°F to −45°F
Typical last frost May 22
Typical first frost September 2
Cities 1
Hardiness zones describe winter cold, not frost timing (why that matters). For dates specific to your town, look up your ZIP code.
Zone 2a 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.
Cities in Zone 2a
| City | Last frost | First frost |
|---|---|---|
| Badger, AK | May 22 | Sep 2 |
States with Zone 2a cities
- Alaska (1)
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the temperature range for Zone 2a?
Zone 2a is defined by an average annual extreme minimum winter temperature of −50°F to −45°F (USDA 2023 Plant Hardiness Zone Map).
When is the last frost in Zone 2a?
Typically around May 22, though it varies by location. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not frost timing, so two places in the same zone can have last frosts weeks apart — check your city's page for local dates.
When is the first frost in Zone 2a?
Typically around September 2 across the cities we track in Zone 2a.