Elfin Cove, AK Frost Dates & Growing Season

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

Last spring frost
Apr 26
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Nov 1
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
189 days
frost-free stretch
USDA zone
≈ 6a
estimated from nearby reference
Risky (1 year in 10)MedianSafe (9 years in 10)
Last spring frost Apr 8 Apr 26 May 8
First fall frost Nov 18 Nov 1 Oct 15
Hard freeze (28°F), median last Mar 30 · first Nov 19

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the ELFIN COVE 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 Elfin Cove

Computed from Elfin Cove's own frost dates. Click any crop for the full zone-6 growing guide — varieties, spacing, fall plantings, and more.

CropStart seeds indoorsTransplantDirect sow
🍅 Tomatoes Mar 1 – Mar 15 May 3 – May 10
🫑 Peppers Feb 15 – Mar 1 May 10 – May 17
🥬 Lettuce Mar 15 – Mar 29 Mar 29 – Apr 12 Mar 29 – Apr 26
🫛 Peas Mar 15 – Mar 29
🥕 Carrots Apr 5 – Apr 26
🥦 Broccoli Mar 8 – Mar 22 Apr 5 – Apr 19
🥬 Kale Mar 15 – Mar 29 Mar 29 – Apr 12 Mar 29 – Apr 12
🥒 Cucumbers Mar 29 – Apr 5 May 3 – May 10 May 3 – May 10
🥒 Zucchini Mar 29 – Apr 5 May 3 – May 10 May 3 – May 10
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) May 3 – May 10
🌽 Sweet Corn May 3 – May 10
🌿 Basil Mar 15 – Mar 29 May 3 – May 10 May 10 – May 17
🧄 Garlic Fall: Sep 20 – Oct 18

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 Elfin Cove's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in Elfin Cove

Roughly 189 frost-free days gives Elfin Cove gardeners room for nearly every common vegetable. Warm-season crops go out after Apr 26; a fall garden sown in late summer matures comfortably before the Nov 1 frost.

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Elfin Cove, AK?

The average last spring frost in Elfin Cove is around Apr 26, 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 Elfin Cove, AK?

The average first fall frost in Elfin Cove arrives around Nov 1. 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 Elfin Cove?

About 189 frost-free days on average, from Apr 26 to Nov 1. That fits nearly all common vegetables, though the longest-season melons and sweet potatoes benefit from transplants.

What USDA zone is Elfin Cove in?

USDA zone 6a 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.