Frost dates for 99577Eagle River, AK
The average last spring frost in Eagle River is May 9 and the average first fall frost is September 26, giving a typical growing season of about 139 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 9
- Average first fall frost
- Sep 26
- Growing season
- 139 days
Safer after May 22 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 12 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 193 days
Frost risk by date
NOAA reports frost dates as probabilities. The middle date is the average (a 50% chance). For spring, the 10% date is a safer planting date: frost after it happens in about 1 year in 10. Light frost (36°F) can damage tender plants; a hard freeze (28°F) kills most annuals.
| Temperature | Last spring: 90% / 50% / 10% chance | First fall: 10% / 50% / 90% chance | Growing season (50%) | Years with at least one |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light frost (36°F) | May 11 · May 24 · Jun 1 | Sep 2 · Sep 15 · Sep 26 | 113 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 29 · May 9 · May 22 | Sep 12 · Sep 26 · Oct 10 | 139 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 12 · Apr 26 · May 7 | Sep 24 · Oct 7 · Oct 20 | 164 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Eagle River
Planting windows from the University of Maryland Extension calendar, shifted to your average frost dates. Use them as a starting point and adjust for seed packet instructions and local conditions.
| Crop | Task | Window |
|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Start seeds indoors | Apr 8 – Jun 14 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 25 – Jun 6 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 8 – May 9 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 8 – Jul 9 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 25 – May 24 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 8 – Jul 9 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 8 – Jun 16 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 25 – Jul 9 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 8 – Jul 9 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 25 – Jul 9 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 25 – Jun 6 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 8 – Jul 9 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 1 – Jun 24 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – May 24 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – Jun 8 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 25 – Mar 24 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 25 – May 24 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 21 – Apr 24 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 25 – May 24 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 27 – Jun 6 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 26 – Jul 7 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 11 – Apr 8 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – May 9 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 17 – Jun 16 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 16 – Jul 17 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – Jun 24 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 16 – Aug 2 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – May 15 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Aug 7 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – May 29 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 16 – Aug 17 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 25 – May 15 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 9 – Jul 17 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 9 – Jun 24 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 17 – Jul 2 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 16 – Oct 17 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 99577 is matched to the NOAA station Eagle Rvr Gakona Circle, AK, 2.1 km away, at 567 ft elevation (191 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eagle Rvr Gakona Circle, AK (used) | 567 ft | May 9 | Sep 26 |
| Eagle Rvr 5 Se, AK | 498 ft | May 21 | Sep 15 |
| Ft Richardson Wtp, AK | 470 ft | May 9 | Sep 26 |
| Eagle Rvr Nature Ctr, AK | 520 ft | May 16 | Sep 20 |
Frost dates near Eagle River
- Chugiak, AK 99567 · last May 21, first Sep 15
- Anchorage, AK 99504 · last May 1, first Sep 29
- Indian, AK 99540 · last May 18, first Sep 23
- Wasilla, AK 99687 · last May 14, first Sep 20
- Big Lake, AK 99652 · last May 29, first Sep 7
- Houston, AK 99694 · last May 29, first Sep 7
- Girdwood, AK 99587 · last May 8, first Sep 29
- Palmer, AK 99645 · last May 22, first Sep 16
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Eagle River, AK?
- For ZIP code 99577, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 9, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Eagle Rvr Gakona Circle, AK weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 22.
- When is the first frost in Eagle River, AK?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is September 26. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 12, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 99577?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 139 days long.
- Are these frost dates a forecast?
- No. They are 30-year averages and probabilities from NOAA weather station records. Use them to plan, then watch your local forecast before planting tender crops or leaving them uncovered.