Knik-Fairview, AK planting zone & frost dates
Knik-Fairview is in USDA hardiness zone 5a. The last spring frost usually comes around May 18 and the first fall frost around September 20, for a growing season of about 124 days.
Planting calendar for Knik-Fairview
Dates are counted from the average last spring frost (May 18) 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 23 – Apr 6 Transplant outdoors: May 25 – Jun 1 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors: Mar 9 – Mar 23 Transplant outdoors: Jun 1 – Jun 8 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors: Mar 9 – Mar 23 Transplant outdoors: Jun 1 – Jun 8 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors: Mar 9 – Mar 23 Transplant outdoors: Apr 20 – May 4 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors: Mar 9 – Mar 23 Transplant outdoors: Apr 20 – May 4 |
| Onions (sets) | Plant outdoors: Apr 20 – May 4 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors: Apr 6 – Apr 20 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors: Apr 6 – Apr 20 |
| Lettuce | Sow outdoors: Apr 20 – May 4 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors: Apr 20 – May 4 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors: Apr 20 – May 4 |
| Beans | Sow outdoors: May 25 – Jun 1 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors: May 25 – Jun 1 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors: May 25 – Jun 1 |
| Squash & zucchini | Sow outdoors: May 25 – Jun 1 |
| Basil | Start seeds indoors: Apr 6 – Apr 20 Transplant outdoors: May 25 – Jun 1 |
Fall garden: cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach and kale can be sown again around Jul 26 (8 weeks before the average first fall frost on Sep 20).
Useful for zone 5a 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 6 | May 18 | May 30 |
| First 32°F frost in fall is before | Oct 4 | Sep 20 | Sep 4 |
How to read it: in spring there is a 10% chance of a frost after May 30, so that is a safe date for tender plants. In fall there is a 10% chance of frost before September 4. A hard freeze (28°F) usually ends around May 3.
Nearby cities
Questions
What growing zone is Knik-Fairview, AK?
Knik-Fairview is in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 5a (average extreme winter low -20°F to -15°F), according to the USDA 2023 map.
When is the last frost in Knik-Fairview?
The average last spring frost (32°F) in Knik-Fairview is May 18. There is still a 10% chance of frost until May 30.
When can I plant tomatoes in Knik-Fairview?
Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after the average last frost: around May 25 – Jun 1. Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost.
Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Eklutna Wtp, AK (USC00502737), 16.3 km (10.1 mi) from the city center, elevation 195 m, based on 18 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.