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What Can Grow in Alaska?

Growing Zone Zone 1b
Frost-Free Days 47
Last Frost mid-June
First Frost early August

Alaska ranges from subarctic to maritime climates. The interior has very short summers but intense sunlight. Coastal areas are milder. Cold-hardy crops and greenhouses are key.

Find your exact zone:
Alaska spans 4 different growing zones. The planting calendar below uses the most common zone (Zone 1b). Use the search above or browse all zones here:
Zone 1a Zone 1b Zone 2a Zone 2b

📅 Planting Calendar for Alaska

When to start seeds indoors and transplant outdoors, based on your frost dates.

Plant Start Indoors Transplant Out Direct Sow Harvest
🥬 Cabbage May 4 Jun 15 — Aug 24 – Oct 13
🌱 Microgreens — — Jun 15 Jun 22 – Jul 6

Dates are averages based on Zone 1b frost dates (last frost: mid-June, first frost: early August). Adjust for your specific microclimate.

🥦 Vegetables

⚠️ Worth Trying (Marginal)

These plants are outside the ideal zone range but possible with the right approach.

🗺️ USDA Plant Hardiness Zones

Zone 1 is shown in this colour on the map below
2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map — zones 1 to 13

2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map — public domain. USDA Agricultural Research Service

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13

USDA zones run 1a–13b (26 half-zones). Each full zone above covers both the a and b half-zones. Browse all US zones →

Browse Related Zones

Zone 1a Zone 1b Zone 2a Zone 2b Zone 3a Zone 3b Zone 4a

Frequently Asked Questions

Alaska ranges from subarctic to maritime climates. The interior has very short summers but intense sunlight. Coastal areas are milder. Cold-hardy crops and greenhouses are key. Vegetables like Cabbage, Microgreens all grow well here.
The growing season is short — roughly 47 days. Focus on fast-maturing varieties and start seeds indoors as early as possible.
Top vegetables for Alaska: Cabbage, Microgreens.
Most common herbs grow well in Zone 1b.