What Grows in Fairbanks, AK?
Fairbanks has a true subarctic climate but 21+ hours of summer daylight enable rapid vegetable growth in its short season.
Zone
Last frost
First frost
Frost-free days
Fairbanks is in USDA Zone 2a with about 90 frost-free days, and you can grow kale, radishes, lettuce, spinach, and more here.
Planting tips for Fairbanks
Use hoop houses and row covers. Focus on fastest-maturing varieties. Raised beds warm faster.
What to plant, and when
Timing by your frost dates — last frost May 25, first frost August 20.
Spinach, Kale, Broccoli, Radish, Beets, Onion, Peas, Cabbage
Microgreens, Rhubarb, Sunflower
Sorrel, Calendula
What grows well in Fairbanks
Spinach
Grows well
Kale
Grows well
Broccoli
Grows well
Radish
Grows well
Beets
Grows well
Onion
Grows well
Peas
Grows well
Cabbage
Grows well
Swiss Chard
Grows well
Arugula
Grows well
Microgreens
Grows well
Asparagus
Grows well
Rhubarb
Grows well
Dill
Grows well
Sunflower
Grows well
Turnip
Grows well
Parsnip
Grows well
Rutabaga
Grows well
Borage
Grows well
Snap Peas
Grows well
Cauliflower
Grows well
Cranberry
Grows well
Shallot
Grows well
Scallion
Grows well
Watercress
Grows well
Sorrel
Grows well
Calendula
Grows wellBorderline — needs extra care
Frequently asked questions
What hardiness zone is Fairbanks, AK in?
Fairbanks, AK is in USDA Hardiness Zone 2a. This drives everything about what you can reliably grow — it maps directly to how cold your winters get.
When is the last frost in Fairbanks?
The average last spring frost in Fairbanks is around May 25, and the first fall frost is typically August 20. Plan to move tender plants outside after May 25 and have them harvested (or protected) before August 20.
What grows well in Fairbanks?
Plenty — Fairbanks's USDA Zone 2a climate supports 27+ crops. Some of the easiest and most reliable here are Spinach, Kale, Radish.
How long is Fairbanks's growing season?
Fairbanks typically has around 90 frost-free days per year (roughly May 25 to August 20). That's a short season — focus on fast-maturing and cool-season crops (greens, roots, peas), start warm-season plants indoors, and use season extension like row covers.
What should I plant first in Fairbanks?
Go with fast-maturing crops to get a quick win while the season is short: Microgreens, Arugula, Radish are among the quickest from seed to harvest in Fairbanks.
Can I grow vegetables in containers in Fairbanks?
Yes — Fairbanks's climate is container-friendly for the right crops. Spinach, Kale, Broccoli all do well in pots, which also lets you start them a little earlier and move them in on cold nights.
When should I start seeds indoors in Fairbanks?
For warm-season crops like Kale, Broccoli, Onion, start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before your last frost (around May 25), then transplant after the danger of frost has passed.
What's tricky to grow in Fairbanks?
A few crops need extra care in Fairbanks's climate — Lettuce, Carrot, Garlic are borderline here and may need season extension (row covers, cold frames, or a head start indoors).