Zones

Zone 3a planting guide

Fairbanks-short. Frost-free weeks are a rumor you count on a calendar. Indoor lights are how fruit happens.

Last spring frost

May 25

First fall frost

Sep 10

Winter low

−40 to −35°F

Nothing urgent this week in this zone. Use the calendar for the year view, or browse crops to plan.

Crops for this zone

• Tomatoes
• Lettuce
• Zucchini
• Beans
• Kale
• Spinach
• Radish
• Carrots
• Peas
• Cilantro
• Sunflower
• Zinnia
• Garlic
• Arugula
• Broccoli
• Swiss chard
• Beets
• Dill
• Marigold
• Onions
• Potatoes

Year at a glance

1. January

   Rest. Inventory leftover seed. Do not buy 40 tomato varieties.

2. February

   Plan, order, or rest — match the frost dates at the top of this page.

3. March

   Start peppers indoors. Order the last of the seed. Do not sow outdoors.

4. April

   Start tomatoes indoors. Cool crops can be sown under cover or in a cold frame.

5. May

   Typical last-frost month. Harden off. Direct-sow radish, lettuce, peas if you have not.

6. June

   Warm soil. Beans, squash, basil, zinnias, cucumbers. Transplant tomatoes.

7. July

   Fall greens in now if you have not. Count days. Skip new long-season fruit.

8. August

   Last radish and spinach. Prep garlic ground. Harvest the tender things.

9. September

   Typical first-frost month. Plant garlic. Mulch. Take notes while you remember the year.

10. October

    Plan, order, or rest — match the frost dates at the top of this page.

11. November · now

    Plan, order, or rest — match the frost dates at the top of this page.

12. December

    Rest. Inventory leftover seed. Do not buy 40 tomato varieties.

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