Big Delta Airport, AK Frost Dates & Growing Season

The two dates every Big Delta Airport garden is planned around, plus ready-computed planting windows for the most popular crops.

Last spring frost
May 17
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Sep 7
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
113 days
frost-free stretch
USDA zone
≈ 2b
estimated from nearby reference
Risky (1 year in 10)MedianSafe (9 years in 10)
Last spring frost May 3 May 17 May 31
First fall frost Sep 22 Sep 7 Aug 23
Hard freeze (28°F), median last May 6 · first Sep 20

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the BIG DELTA AP station. "Safe" means frost past that date happens only about one year in ten. Your exact garden can still run days either way with elevation and terrain — check your own ZIP with the frost date lookup.

Planting windows for Big Delta Airport

Computed from Big Delta Airport's own frost dates. Click any crop for the full zone-2 growing guide — varieties, spacing, fall plantings, and more.

CropStart seeds indoorsTransplantDirect sow
🍅 Tomatoes Mar 22 – Apr 5 May 24 – May 31
🫑 Peppers Mar 8 – Mar 22 May 31 – Jun 7
🥬 Lettuce Apr 5 – Apr 19 Apr 19 – May 3 Apr 19 – May 17
🫛 Peas Apr 5 – Apr 19
🥕 Carrots Apr 26 – May 17
🥦 Broccoli Mar 29 – Apr 12 Apr 26 – May 10
🥬 Kale Apr 5 – Apr 19 Apr 19 – May 3 Apr 19 – May 3
🥒 Cucumbers Apr 19 – Apr 26 May 24 – May 31 May 24 – May 31
🥒 Zucchini Apr 19 – Apr 26 May 24 – May 31 May 24 – May 31
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) May 24 – May 31
🌽 Sweet Corn May 24 – May 31
🌿 Basil Apr 5 – Apr 19 May 24 – May 31 May 31 – Jun 7
🧄 Garlic Fall: Jul 27 – Aug 24

Want this for all 50 crops, or as a printable seed-shelf schedule? Use the planting calendar and the seed starting scheduler — both can use Big Delta Airport's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in Big Delta Airport

At about 113 frost-free days, Big Delta Airport rewards efficiency: start warm-season crops indoors, favor short-season varieties, and lean on cold-tolerant crops — peas, kale, roots — that shrug off the shoulder-season frosts on either end.

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Big Delta Airport, AK?

The average last spring frost in Big Delta Airport is around May 17, based on 1991–2020 climate normals. That's a median — about half of years see a later frost, so tender crops are safest going out a week or two after this date.

When is the first frost in Big Delta Airport, AK?

The average first fall frost in Big Delta Airport arrives around Sep 7. Crops still in the garden need to mature before then, and frost-tender plants need harvesting or protection as the date approaches.

How long is the growing season in Big Delta Airport?

About 113 frost-free days on average, from May 17 to Sep 7. That favors short-season varieties and transplants for warm-season crops, with cool-season vegetables doing the heavy lifting in spring and fall.

What USDA zone is Big Delta Airport in?

USDA zone 2b on the 2023 Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Note that zones describe winter cold, not frost timing — these frost dates are the numbers to plan plantings around.