When to plant winter squash 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). Winter Squash needs 80–110 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 winter squash in Alaska: the short answer
For a spring planting, plant out May 17 – Jun 3, with seeds started indoors Apr 19 – May 3. Wait until the soil is at least 60°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 winter squash in Alaska, step by step
- Start seeds indoors (Apr 19 – May 3). Sow seeds 1 inch deep in seed-starting mix under bright light. They take 5-10 days to sprout, fastest in soil around 85°F. Harden seedlings off for a week before they go outside.
- Prepare the bed. It needs 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 7.0. Dig in compost before planting.
- Plant out (May 17 – Jun 3). Space plants about 42 inches apart in rows 72 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: squash vine borer, squash bug, striped cucumber beetle. Diseases and disorders: powdery mildew, bacterial wilt.
- Harvest (from about Aug 12 – Sep 11). Winter Squash takes 80-110 days to reach harvest. Needs the whole season - direct sow only where you have 100+ frost-free days. Cure 10 days in warmth after harvest for storage.
Figures come from our crop data; dates use Alaska’s average frost dates. More in the full winter squash growing guide.
Winter Squash 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 winter squash dates shift with them.
| Zone | Last frost | First frost | Season | Start indoors | Plant winter squash |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 1 | Jun 15 | Aug 20 | 65 days | May 18 – Jun 1 | Jun 15 – Jul 2 |
| Zone 2 | Jun 1 | Sep 1 | 90 days | May 4 – May 18 | Jun 1 – Jun 18 |
| Zone 3 | May 15 | Sep 15 | 120 days | Apr 17 – May 1 | May 15 – Jun 1 |
| Zone 4 | May 10 | Sep 25 | 135 days | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | May 10 – May 27 |
| Zone 5 | Apr 30 | Oct 5 | 160 days | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | Apr 30 – May 17 |
| Zone 6 | Apr 15 | Oct 15 | 185 days | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | Apr 15 – May 2 |
| Zone 7 | Apr 5 | Oct 25 | 200 days | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | Apr 5 – Apr 22 |
| Zone 8 | Mar 20 | Nov 5 | 230 days | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | Mar 20 – Apr 6 |
When to plant winter squash 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 winter squash in Alaska?
Plant winter squash 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 winter squash seeds indoors in Alaska?
Start seeds indoors between April 19 and May 3, about 3 weeks before the last frost, so the seedlings are ready to plant out from May 17.
What is the latest I can plant winter squash in Alaska?
About June 25. Winter squash needs at least 80 days to mature, and frost around September 13 ends the season, so later plantings risk being cut short.
When will winter squash planted in Alaska be ready to harvest?
Planted on time, winter squash is usually ready from about August 12 to September 11, 80-110 days after planting.
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.