When to plant sweet corn 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). Sweet Corn needs 60–100 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 sweet corn in Alaska: the short answer
For a spring planting, sow May 19 – Jun 7. Wait until the soil is at least 55°F and frost is over.
Succession sow again in Alaska: Jun 7 · Jun 21
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 sweet corn in Alaska, step by step
- Prepare the bed. It needs at least six to eight hours of direct sun a day and loose soil at least 24 inches deep, with a pH between 5.8 and 7.0. Dig in compost before planting.
- Sow outdoors (May 19 – Jun 7). Space plants about 10 inches apart in rows 30 inches apart, sowing seed 1.5 inches deep. It is killed by frost, so nothing goes outside until the danger has passed.
- Water and feed. It needs plenty of water; keep the soil evenly moist and never let it dry out.
- Watch for pests and problems. Pests: corn earworm, European corn borer, corn rootworm, raccoons. Diseases and disorders: common smut, common rust, Stewart's wilt.
- Harvest (from about Jul 23 – Sep 1). Sweet Corn takes 60-100 days to reach harvest. Plant in a block of at least 4 short rows, not one long row, or the ears fill unevenly. Keep sugar-enhanced and supersweet types isolated from field corn. Succeed by sowing every 2 weeks or planting early/mid/late varieties together.
Figures come from our crop data; dates use Alaska’s average frost dates. More in the full sweet corn growing guide.
Sweet Corn 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 sweet corn dates shift with them.
| Zone | Last frost | First frost | Season | Start indoors | Plant sweet corn |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 1 | Jun 15 | Aug 20 | 65 days | - | Jun 17 – Jul 6 |
| Zone 2 | Jun 1 | Sep 1 | 90 days | - | Jun 3 – Jun 22 |
| Zone 3 | May 15 | Sep 15 | 120 days | - | May 17 – Jun 5 |
| Zone 4 | May 10 | Sep 25 | 135 days | - | May 12 – May 31 |
| Zone 5 | Apr 30 | Oct 5 | 160 days | - | May 2 – May 21 |
| Zone 6 | Apr 15 | Oct 15 | 185 days | - | Apr 17 – May 6 |
| Zone 7 | Apr 5 | Oct 25 | 200 days | - | Apr 7 – Apr 26 |
| Zone 8 | Mar 20 | Nov 5 | 230 days | - | Mar 22 – Apr 10 |
When to plant sweet corn in nearby states
| State | Last frost | Sow |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska (this page) | May 17 | May 19 – Jun 7 |
| Hawaii | frost-free | - |
Questions gardeners in Alaska ask
When is the best time to plant sweet corn in Alaska?
Sow sweet corn in Alaska between May 19 and June 7. 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.
What is the latest I can plant sweet corn in Alaska?
About July 15. Sweet corn needs at least 60 days to mature, and frost around September 13 ends the season, so later plantings risk being cut short.
When will sweet corn planted in Alaska be ready to harvest?
Planted on time, sweet corn is usually ready from about July 23 to September 1, 60-100 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.