What to plant in September in Alaska
In Alaska (AK), the average first fall frost (September 13) has passed by mid-September. The state averages 119 frost-free days a year (last frost May 17, first frost September 13; USDA zones 1a, 2b, 3b, 4b, 5b, 6b, 7b, 8b).
2 crops have a sowing or planting window this month: shallot, garlic.
Dates here come from Alaska frost dates (last frost May 17, first frost Sep 13). For one crop in detail, see when to plant garlic, tomato or lettuce in Alaska.
Alaska covers a very wide range of climates, so dates near you can be two weeks or more either side of these. Enter your ZIP code in the planting calendar for dates tuned to your town.
Alaska: planting activity through the year
For fall and winter harvests (2)
Sowings counted back from Alaska's first fall frost, so the crop matures before the cold - or, for garlic and similar, planted after it.
Harvesting in September
First harvests expected this month from crops sown or planted on time earlier in the season.
Planting dates for popular crops in Alaska
Every crop has its own full-year dates for Alaska: indoor start, transplant or direct sowing, and harvest.
Spring bulbs to plant in September in Alaska
Tulips, daffodils, hyacinths and crocus are planted in fall, once the soil has cooled and before it freezes. The exact window depends on the state, so our bulb guide quotes what each extension service says.
After the first frost: September garden jobs in Alaska
- The average first frost (September 13) has passed - pull frost-killed tender plants and compost the healthy ones; bin or burn anything that had blight or mildew.
- Plant garlic now (Sep 24 – Oct 11): single cloves, pointy end up, 2 inches deep and 6 inches apart, then mulch.
- Leave cold-hardy roots (carrots, parsnips, leeks) in the ground under a thick mulch and dig them as needed.
- Clean and oil tools, drain hoses, and note what worked this year while you still remember - it makes next year's plan far easier.
USDA zone chart for Alaska
Alaska spans USDA zones 1a, 2b, 3b, 4b, 5b, 6b, 7b, 8b. Colder zones, usually higher or further inland, have a later last spring frost and an earlier first fall frost than the state average.
Questions gardeners ask
What vegetables can I plant in Alaska in September?
2 crops have a window in September: shallot, garlic. The tables above give the exact dates for each.
Is it too late to plant garlic in Alaska in September?
No - plant in fall (after first frost) runs Sep 24 – Oct 11 in Alaska.
Is it too late to plant tomatoes in Alaska in September?
For this year, yes - the tomato windows in Alaska have closed. The next step is to start seeds indoors from about March 22.
When is the first frost in Alaska?
The statewide average first fall frost is around September 13 and the last spring frost around May 17. Alaska covers a wide range of climates, so local dates can differ by two weeks or more - look yours up by ZIP code.
What can I harvest in Alaska in September?
From plantings made on time: sweet corn, cucumber, sunflower, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, lima bean, bush bean, kale, edamame (soybean).
What to plant in September in other states
Dates are computed from Alaska’s statewide average frost dates (from NOAA/NCEI climate normals) and each crop’s timing in our crop database. Your garden may be a week or two either side - for dates tuned to your ZIP code, use the planting calendar.