Frost dates for 99725Ester, AK
The average last spring frost in Ester is May 15 and the average first fall frost is September 16, giving a typical growing season of about 122 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 15
- Average first fall frost
- Sep 16
- Growing season
- 122 days
Safer after May 31 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Aug 30 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 200 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 12 · May 28 · Jun 20 | Aug 17 · Sep 3 · Sep 18 | 98 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | May 3 · May 15 · May 31 | Aug 30 · Sep 16 · Sep 28 | 122 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 23 · May 7 · May 22 | Sep 10 · Sep 25 · Oct 7 | 140 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Ester
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 14 – Jun 20 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 31 – May 27 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 14 – May 15 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 14 – Jul 15 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | May 1 – May 30 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 14 – Jul 15 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 14 – Jun 6 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 31 – Jul 15 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 14 – Jul 15 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 31 – Jun 29 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 31 – May 27 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 14 – Jul 15 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 7 – Jun 30 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 14 – May 30 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 14 – Jun 14 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 3 – Mar 30 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 1 – May 30 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 27 – Apr 30 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 1 – May 30 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 17 – May 27 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 16 – Jun 27 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 17 – Apr 14 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 14 – May 15 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 7 – Jun 6 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 6 – Jul 7 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 14 – Jun 30 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 6 – Jul 23 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – May 21 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 23 – Jul 28 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 14 – Jun 4 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 6 – Aug 7 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 1 – May 21 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 30 – Jul 7 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 15 – Jun 30 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 7 – Jun 22 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 6 – Oct 7 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 99725 is matched to the NOAA station Keystone Ridge, AK, 9.7 km away, at 1,600 ft elevation (546 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Keystone Ridge, AK (used) | 1,600 ft | May 15 | Sep 16 |
| Ester, AK | 655 ft | May 24 | Sep 1 |
| Ester 5Ne, AK | 630 ft | — | — |
| Goldstream Creek, AK | 577 ft | — | — |
Frost dates near Ester
- Fairbanks, AK 99706 · last May 18, first Sep 6
- Fort Wainwright, AK 99703 · last May 16, first Sep 6
- North Pole, AK 99705 · last May 18, first Sep 5
- Eielson Afb, AK 99702 · last May 20, first Sep 1
- Two Rivers, AK 99716 · last May 30, first Sep 2
- Nenana, AK 99760 · last May 15, first Sep 11
- Salcha, AK 99714 · last May 20, first Sep 1
- Anderson, AK 99744 · last May 15, first Sep 11
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Ester, AK?
- For ZIP code 99725, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 15, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Keystone Ridge, AK weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 31.
- When is the first frost in Ester, AK?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is September 16. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by August 30, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 99725?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 122 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.