Willow West, AK Frost Dates & Growing Season

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

Last spring frost
May 15
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Sep 18
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
126 days
frost-free stretch
USDA zone
≈ 4b
estimated from nearby reference
Risky (1 year in 10)MedianSafe (9 years in 10)
Last spring frost May 3 May 15 May 28
First fall frost Sep 28 Sep 18 Sep 4
Hard freeze (28°F), median last May 3 · first Sep 27

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the WILLOW WEST 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 Willow West

Computed from Willow West's own frost dates. Click any crop for the full zone-4 growing guide — varieties, spacing, fall plantings, and more.

CropStart seeds indoorsTransplantDirect sow
🍅 Tomatoes Mar 20 – Apr 3 May 22 – May 29
🫑 Peppers Mar 6 – Mar 20 May 29 – Jun 5
🥬 Lettuce Apr 3 – Apr 17 Apr 17 – May 1 Apr 17 – May 15
🫛 Peas Apr 3 – Apr 17
🥕 Carrots Apr 24 – May 15
🥦 Broccoli Mar 27 – Apr 10 Apr 24 – May 8
🥬 Kale Apr 3 – Apr 17 Apr 17 – May 1 Apr 17 – May 1
🥒 Cucumbers Apr 17 – Apr 24 May 22 – May 29 May 22 – May 29
🥒 Zucchini Apr 17 – Apr 24 May 22 – May 29 May 22 – May 29
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) May 22 – May 29
🌽 Sweet Corn May 22 – May 29
🌿 Basil Apr 3 – Apr 17 May 22 – May 29 May 29 – Jun 5
🧄 Garlic Fall: Aug 7 – Sep 4

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 Willow West's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in Willow West

At about 126 frost-free days, Willow West 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 Willow West, AK?

The average last spring frost in Willow West is around May 15, 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 Willow West, AK?

The average first fall frost in Willow West arrives around Sep 18. 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 Willow West?

About 126 frost-free days on average, from May 15 to Sep 18. 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 Willow West in?

USDA zone 4b 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.