When to plant pumpkins in Alaska

Pumpkins
Sow outdoors in Anchorage
May 30–Jun 13

Across Alaska the window opens between May 17 and May 30. Find your city below; the dates follow each town's own average last frost.

Sow outdoors, Anchorage
May 30–Jun 13
Last frost, Anchorage
May 16

Sow outdoors 2–4 weeks after the last frost. For Halloween pumpkins, count back the variety's days to maturity from late September.

Pumpkins planting dates by city

Start indoorsPlant outSow outdoorsFall plantingAverage last and first frost
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
AnchorageMay 30–Jun 13
JuneauMay 17–May 31
FairbanksMay 30–Jun 13

In Anchorage, Fairbanks the frost-free season is shorter than pumpkins need. Start plants indoors and pick early varieties.

Questions

When should I plant pumpkins in Alaska?

In Anchorage, sow outdoors from May 30 to June 13. Across Alaska the window opens between May 17 and May 30, depending on the local last frost.

How is this date worked out?

Sow outdoors 2–4 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 pumpkins everywhere in Alaska?

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

More for Alaska

Pumpkins in other states

Frost dates for every city in Alaska