When to plant butternut squash in Alaska

Butternut squash
Sow outdoors in Anchorage
May 23–Jun 6

Across Alaska the window opens between May 10 and May 23. Find your city below; the dates follow each town's own average last frost.

Sow outdoors, Anchorage
May 23–Jun 6
Last frost, Anchorage
May 16

Sow outdoors 1–3 weeks after the last frost. Leave fruit on the vine until the skin is hard and the stem starts to dry.

Butternut squash planting dates by city

Start indoorsPlant outSow outdoorsFall plantingAverage last and first frost
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
AnchorageMay 23–Jun 6
JuneauMay 10–May 24
FairbanksMay 23–Jun 6

In Fairbanks the frost-free season is shorter than butternut squash need. Start plants indoors and pick early varieties.

Questions

When should I plant butternut squash in Alaska?

In Anchorage, sow outdoors from May 23 to June 6. Across Alaska the window opens between May 10 and May 23, depending on the local last frost.

How is this date worked out?

Sow outdoors 1–3 weeks after the last frost. Frost dates are NOAA 1991–2020 averages for the weather station nearest each city.

Is the season long enough for butternut squash everywhere in Alaska?

Not quite. In Fairbanks the frost-free season is shorter than the time butternut squash need to ripen. Start plants indoors and pick an early variety.

More for Alaska

Butternut squash in other states

Frost dates for every city in Alaska