When to plant carrots in Alaska
Alaska’s average last spring frost is May 17, and the first fall frost typically arrives around September 13 — about 119 frost-free days (USDA zones 1a, 2b, 3b, 4b, 5b, 6b, 7b, 8b). Carrot needs 60–80 days to mature, which fits comfortably within Alaska's growing season.
Alaska covers a wide range of climates, so your exact frost dates may differ from the state average by two weeks or more. For dates tuned to your town, use the calendar generator.
When to plant carrots in Alaska: the short answer
For a spring planting, sow Apr 21 – May 10. Seeds germinate in soil from 40 to 85°F.
Succession sow again in Alaska: May 14 · Jun 1 · Jun 19
Spring succession stops before summer heat makes it bolt. Start sowing again in late summer for a fall crop (see the fall window above).
Windows are ~1–2 week bands around each date. Frost dates are a statewide average from NOAA/NCEI normals; your town may differ by two weeks or more. Calendar year 2026.
How to grow carrots in Alaska, step by step
- Prepare the bed. They need six or more hours of sun for the best growth, though four to six hours in partial shade is enough and loose soil at least 12 inches deep, with a pH between 5.5 and 7.0. Dig in compost before planting.
- Sow outdoors (Apr 21 – May 10). Space plants about 3 inches apart in rows 12 inches apart, sowing seed ¼ inch deep. It handles frost well, so it can go out before the last frost date. As a cool-season crop it does best before summer heat arrives in Alaska.
- Water and feed. Give it steady, even moisture, about an inch of water a week from rain or the hose.
- Watch for pests and problems. Pests: carrot rust fly, wireworm, root-knot nematode, aphids. Diseases and disorders: alternaria leaf blight, cavity spot, aster yellows.
- Harvest (from about Jun 25 – Jul 15). Carrot takes 60-80 days to reach harvest. Never transplant. Keep the surface constantly moist for the slow 2-3 week germination - a board or burlap over the row helps. Needs loose, stone-free soil or roots fork.
Figures come from our crop data; dates use Alaska’s average frost dates. More in the full carrot growing guide.
Carrot planting dates by USDA zone in 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, so the carrot dates shift with them.
| Zone | Last frost | First frost | Season | Start indoors | Plant carrot |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 1 | Jun 15 | Aug 20 | 65 days | - | May 20 – Jun 8 |
| Zone 2 | Jun 1 | Sep 1 | 90 days | - | May 6 – May 25 |
| Zone 3 | May 15 | Sep 15 | 120 days | - | Apr 19 – May 8 |
| Zone 4 | May 10 | Sep 25 | 135 days | - | Apr 14 – May 3 |
| Zone 5 | Apr 30 | Oct 5 | 160 days | - | Apr 4 – Apr 23 |
| Zone 6 | Apr 15 | Oct 15 | 185 days | - | Mar 20 – Apr 8 |
| Zone 7 | Apr 5 | Oct 25 | 200 days | - | Mar 10 – Mar 29 |
| Zone 8 | Mar 20 | Nov 5 | 230 days | - | Feb 22 – Mar 13 |
When to plant carrots in nearby states
| State | Last frost | Sow |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska (this page) | May 17 | Apr 21 – May 10 |
| Hawaii | frost-free | - |
Questions gardeners in Alaska ask
When is the best time to plant carrots in Alaska?
Sow carrots in Alaska between April 21 and May 10. That timing is set by Alaska's average last spring frost of May 17; Alaska spans several climates, so cooler and higher parts of the state run later.
Can I plant carrots in the fall in Alaska?
Yes. For a fall crop, sow between June 18 and July 5, so the crop matures in cool weather before Alaska's first frost around September 13.
When will carrots planted in Alaska be ready to harvest?
Planted on time, carrots are usually ready from about June 25 to July 15, 60-80 days after sowing.
When is the last frost in Alaska?
On average around May 17, with the first fall frost around September 13 - about 119 frost-free days. Your town may differ by two weeks or more.