When to plant tomatoes 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). Tomato needs 60–85 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 tomatoes in Alaska: the short answer
For a spring planting, plant out May 17 – Jun 3, with seeds started indoors Mar 22 – Apr 5. Wait until the soil is at least 50°F and frost is over.
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 tomatoes in Alaska, step by step
- Start seeds indoors (Mar 22 – Apr 5). Sow seeds ¼ inch deep in seed-starting mix under bright light. They take 5-10 days to sprout, fastest in soil around 80°F. Harden seedlings off for a week before they go outside.
- Prepare the bed. They need at least six to eight hours of direct sun a day and loose soil at least 18 inches deep, with a pH between 5.5 and 7.5. Dig in compost before planting.
- Plant out (May 17 – Jun 3). Space plants about 24 inches apart in rows 36 inches apart. It is killed by frost, so nothing goes outside until the danger has passed.
- 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: tomato hornworm, aphids, whitefly, flea beetle. Diseases and disorders: early blight, late blight, septoria leaf spot, fusarium wilt, blossom-end rot (calcium disorder).
- Harvest (from about Jul 23 – Aug 17). Tomato takes 60-85 days to reach harvest. Days to maturity counted from transplant. Bury 2/3 of the stem at transplanting for extra roots. Determinate types suit containers and one big harvest; indeterminate types need staking and produce until frost.
Figures come from our crop data; dates use Alaska’s average frost dates. More in the full tomato growing guide.
Tomato 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 tomato dates shift with them.
| Zone | Last frost | First frost | Season | Start indoors | Plant tomato |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 1 | Jun 15 | Aug 20 | 65 days | Apr 20 – May 4 | Jun 15 – Jul 2 |
| Zone 2 | Jun 1 | Sep 1 | 90 days | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | Jun 1 – Jun 18 |
| Zone 3 | May 15 | Sep 15 | 120 days | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | May 15 – Jun 1 |
| Zone 4 | May 10 | Sep 25 | 135 days | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | May 10 – May 27 |
| Zone 5 | Apr 30 | Oct 5 | 160 days | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | Apr 30 – May 17 |
| Zone 6 | Apr 15 | Oct 15 | 185 days | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | Apr 15 – May 2 |
| Zone 7 | Apr 5 | Oct 25 | 200 days | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | Apr 5 – Apr 22 |
| Zone 8 | Mar 20 | Nov 5 | 230 days | Jan 23 – Feb 6 | Mar 20 – Apr 6 |
When to plant tomatoes in nearby states
| State | Last frost | Plant out |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska (this page) | May 17 | May 17 – Jun 3 |
| Hawaii | frost-free | - |
Questions gardeners in Alaska ask
When is the best time to plant tomatoes in Alaska?
Plant tomato transplants outdoors in Alaska between May 17 and June 3. 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.
When should I start tomato seeds indoors in Alaska?
Start seeds indoors between March 22 and April 5, about 7 weeks before the last frost, so the seedlings are ready to plant out from May 17.
What is the latest I can plant tomatoes in Alaska?
About July 15. Tomatoes need at least 60 days to mature after transplanting, and frost around September 13 ends the season, so later plantings risk being cut short.
When will tomatoes planted in Alaska be ready to harvest?
Planted on time, tomatoes are usually ready from about July 23 to August 17, 60-85 days after transplanting.
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.