Badger, AK planting zone & frost dates
Badger is in USDA hardiness zone 2a. The last spring frost usually comes around May 22 and the first fall frost around September 2, for a growing season of about 102 days.
Planting calendar for Badger
Dates are counted from the average last spring frost (May 22) using the typical timing recommended by U.S. extension services. Warm-season crops go out only after the danger of frost has passed and the soil has warmed.
| Crop | When |
|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Start seeds indoors: Mar 27 – Apr 10 Transplant outdoors: May 29 – Jun 5 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors: Mar 13 – Mar 27 Transplant outdoors: Jun 5 – Jun 12 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors: Mar 13 – Mar 27 Transplant outdoors: Jun 5 – Jun 12 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors: Mar 13 – Mar 27 Transplant outdoors: Apr 24 – May 8 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors: Mar 13 – Mar 27 Transplant outdoors: Apr 24 – May 8 |
| Onions (sets) | Plant outdoors: Apr 24 – May 8 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors: Apr 10 – Apr 24 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors: Apr 10 – Apr 24 |
| Lettuce | Sow outdoors: Apr 24 – May 8 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors: Apr 24 – May 8 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors: Apr 24 – May 8 |
| Beans | Sow outdoors: May 29 – Jun 5 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors: May 29 – Jun 5 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors: May 29 – Jun 5 |
| Squash & zucchini | Sow outdoors: May 29 – Jun 5 |
| Basil | Start seeds indoors: Apr 10 – Apr 24 Transplant outdoors: May 29 – Jun 5 |
Fall garden: cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach and kale can be sown again around Jul 8 (8 weeks before the average first fall frost on Sep 2).
Useful for zone 2a gardens
- Seed starting kit with dome — to start seeds indoors before the last frost
- LED grow light for seedlings — stops leggy seedlings
- Frost cloth / plant covers — for late spring and early fall frosts
- Soil thermometer — warm-season crops need soil above 60°F
- Cold frame / mini greenhouse — adds weeks to a short season
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Frost risk in detail
| 90% chance | 50% chance | 10% chance | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Last 32°F frost in spring is after | May 12 | May 22 | Jun 4 |
| First 32°F frost in fall is before | Sep 17 | Sep 2 | Aug 20 |
How to read it: in spring there is a 10% chance of a frost after June 4, so that is a safe date for tender plants. In fall there is a 10% chance of frost before August 20. A hard freeze (28°F) usually ends around May 13.
Nearby cities
- Fairbanks zone 2b, last frost May 16
- College zone 2b, last frost May 18
- Knik-Fairview zone 5a, last frost May 18
- Eagle River zone 5a, last frost May 9
- Anchorage zone 5a, last frost May 1
- Juneau zone 7a, last frost Apr 20
Questions
What growing zone is Badger, AK?
Badger is in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 2a (average extreme winter low -50°F to -45°F), according to the USDA 2023 map.
When is the last frost in Badger?
The average last spring frost (32°F) in Badger is May 22. There is still a 10% chance of frost until June 4.
When can I plant tomatoes in Badger?
Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after the average last frost: around May 29 – Jun 5. Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost.
Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station N Pole 1N, AK (USC00509891), 10.2 km (6.3 mi) from the city center, elevation 151 m, based on 10 years of records. Hardiness zone: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map 2023 for the ZIP code nearest to the city center. Microclimates (valleys, hills, cities, coasts) can be warmer or colder: check the local forecast before planting. How we calculate the data.