This is the Frosty Garden seed starting schedule that we use for our vegetable and flower gardens within Interior Alaska.
Our schedule was originally based on the UAF Extension Service schedule. Over the years, we have expanded it based on our needs, personal experience and the things we grow.
Our vegetable seeding schedule
Our flower seeding schedule
If you prefer, you can also use the original UAF Extension Service seed starting schedule for vegetables and flowers.
If you would like to see what you should be planting based on the month, check out the following articles:
- What you should be planting in March
- What you should be planting in April
- What you should be planting in May
If you are interested in starting your own vegetables from seed, following a seed starting schedule is important. Different plants take different amounts of time to germinate and grow to an appropriate size for transplanting. Following a schedule for your region will ensure that your plants are the right size for transplanting outdoors.
Is this your first year and not sure where to start? We have a bunch of articles written about this subject as well as detailed information about our plant germination & raising techniques. Lots of tips, too!
Notes About The Frosty Garden Planting Schedule
- Our schedule is sortable and searchable to make things easier to find. Try searching for “cold hardy” to find all cold hardy plants.
- The “Weeks Before Last Frost” indicates how many weeks prior to our last frost date to plant seeds. June 1st is the date recognized as last frost in the Interior Alaska area and is a good target for most gardeners to transplant outdoors. See below for this year’s dates.
- The schedule indicates whether we sow indoors or direct sow in our outdoor gardens.
- Where appropriate, we have put notes relevant to the process, variety considerations and specific subarctic notes we’ve learned.
- A plus in the schedule indicates it is sowed after last frost, by the stated number of weeks.
- When a range is stated, we usually choose the earlier schedule, but any dates within the range are acceptable. If you have limited indoor growing space, the later dates are recommended. You can also use succession planting techniques so you can get multiple harvests over time.
- If you compare the flower schedule to other regions, you will find that some varieties are sowed much earlier than you might see recommended in warmer zones. This earlier planting reflects our short summer and will ensure you have beautiful blooms during our short growing season!
2021 Weeks To Last Frost Schedule For Interior Alaska:
These are the 2021 dates, based on the weeks before last frost. Adding or subtracting a few days will not make a huge difference, so plant when it’s convenient for you.
Vegetable schedule | Flower schedule
| Weeks To Last Frost: | Date: |
|---|---|
| 12 Weeks To Last Frost: | 3/9/2021 |
| 11 Weeks To Last Frost: | 3/16/2021 |
| 10 Weeks To Last Frost: | 3/23/2021 |
| 9 Weeks To Last Frost: | 3/30/2021 |
| 8 Weeks To Last Frost: | 4/6/2021 |
| 7 Weeks To Last Frost: | 4/13/2021 |
| 6 Weeks To Last Frost: | 4/20/2021 |
| 5 Weeks To Last Frost: | 4/27/2021 |
| 4 Weeks To Last Frost: | 5/4/2021 |
| 3 Weeks To Last Frost: | 5/11/2021 |
| 2 Weeks To Last Frost: | 5/18/2021 |
| 1 Weeks To Last Frost: | 5/25/2021 |
| 0 Weeks To Last Frost: | 6/1/2021 |
| +1 Weeks From Last Frost: | 6/8/2021 |
| +2 Weeks From Last Frost: | 6/15/2021 |
Vegetable Planting Schedule For Interior Alaska:
Flower schedule | Date Schedule
| Vegetable: | Method: | Weeks To Last Frost: | Notes: |
|---|---|---|---|
| Garlic | Fall Sow | See notes | Cold hardy. Plant garlic in very late summer, 2-3 weeks before first frost. Typically mid to late August. Hardneck varieties only. Cover bed with mulch for best overwintering results. |
| Onion, Seed | Start Indoors | 10-12 | Cold hardy. Using onion sets are an alternative technique to bypass early planting requirements. Use long day varieties only. |
| Onion, Tosca | Start Indoors | 10-12 | Long day variety. |
| Shallot | Start Indoors | 10-12 | |
| Celeriac | Start Indoors | 9-10 | Frost tolerant. |
| Celery | Start Indoors | 9-10 | Frost tolerant. |
| Leek | Start Indoors | 8-10 | Cold hardy. |
| Mint | Start Indoors | 8-10 | Invasive. Containers or other dedicated space recommended for final planting. Some varieties can perennalize down to zone 3. |
| Onion, Green | Start Indoors | 8-10 | |
| Cardoon | Start Indoors | 8-9 | Frost tolerant. Prolific grower and easier to grow than artichoke. |
| Artichoke | Start Indoors | 8-9 | Frost tolerant. Choose a variety that can be grown as an annual. Imperial Star and Green Globe are good varieties for Interior Alaska. |
| Eggplant | Start Indoors | 8-9 | Not all varieties are tolerant to Interior Alaska. Patio Baby is a great variety. Does well in containers and outside in Interior Alaska. |
| Chives | Start Indoors | 8-9 | Cold hardy. Can be a perennial in zone 3, sometimes zone 2. |
| Sage | Start Indoors | 7-8 | |
| Peppers | Start Indoors | 7-8 | Cold sensitive. Transplant outdoors 1-2 weeks after last frost. If going into a greenhouse, can be started 9-12 weeks before last frost. Greenhouse should have no frost danger (heated) to transplant earlier than last frost. If you intend to top your plant, start 2-3 weeks before recommended dates. |
| Anise | Start Indoors | 6-8 | |
| Borage | Start Indoors | 6-8 | Can also be grown for flowers. |
| Brussels Sprouts | Start Indoors | 6-8 | Cold hardy. |
| Catnip | Start Indoors | 6-8 | Frost tolerant. Tendency to flower early, harvest before major flowers develop for best results. |
| Cat Grass | Start Indoors | 6-8 | Can also grow in a small pot for your kitties! |
| Cumin | Start Indoors | 6-8 | |
| Collards | Start Indoors | 6-8 | Cold hardy. |
| Ground Cherries | Start Indoors | 6-8 | Greenhouse ground cherries can be planted 8-10 weeks before last frost and put in greenhouse mid-May. |
| Huckleberry, Garden | Start Indoors | 6-8 | |
| Lemon Balm | Start Indoors | 6-8 | Can be invasive similar to mint. Planting in dedicated space or containers recommended. |
| Radicchio | Start Indoors | 6-8 | Frost tolerant. |
| Stevia | Start Indoors | 6-8 | |
| Tomatoes | Start Indoors | 6-8 | Greenhouse tomatoes can be planted 8-10 weeks before last frost and put in greenhouse mid-May. Seek cold climate varieties. If you are very limited on space, 5 weeks to last frost is advised. |
| Tomatillo | Start Indoors | 6-8 | Greenhouse tomatillos can be planted 8-10 weeks before last frost and put in greenhouse mid-May. If you are very limited on space, 5 weeks to last frost is advised. |
| Chamomile | Start Indoors | 6-7 | |
| Marjoram | Start Indoors | 6-7 | Tends to flower very early. Keep an eye on it & harvest prior to major flowering. |
| Thyme | Start Indoors | 6-7 | |
| Parsley | Start Indoors | 6-7 | |
| Oregano | Start Indoors | 6-7 | Tends to flower early, keep an eye on it and harvest before major blooming. |
| Tarragon | Start Indoors | 6-7 | |
| Cilantro | Start Indoors | 6-7 | Quick to bolt. Of all varieties we've tested, Calyspo cilantro is the most bolt resistant we've found. |
| Kale | Start Indoors | 5-6 | Cold hardy. |
| Strawberry Spinich | Start Indoors | 5-6 | Will reseed itself & grow year after year. |
| Broccoli | Start Indoors | 4-7 | Cold hardy. |
| Arugula | Start Indoors | 4-6 | Cold hardy. Can also direct sow 2-3 weeks before last frost. For a late harvest, direct sow early to mid-August. |
| Cauliflower | Start Indoors | 4-6 | Frost tolerant. |
| Endive | Start Indoors | 4-6 | Cold hardy. |
| Fennel, Bulb | Start Indoors | 4-6 | |
| Kohlrabi | Start Indoors | 4-6 | Cold hardy. |
| Okra | Start Indoors | 4-6 | Northern varieties such as Jambalaya are strongly recommended. Warm soil only. Greenhouse & container planting strongly advised. Transplant into greenhouse 1-2 weeks after last frost. Challenging & marginal harvest in subarctic. |
| Purslane, Garden | Start Indoors | 4-6 | |
| Sorrel | Start Indoors | 4-6 | Cold hardy. Can also direct sow at last frost or later. Best young, plant successively for multiple harvests. Rumex acetosa (English variety) can perrenialize down to zone 4. |
| Spinach, Malabar | Start Indoors | 4-6 | |
| Basil | Start Indoors | 4-5 | |
| Cabbage | Start Indoors | 4-5 | Cold hardy. |
| Corn | Start Indoors | 4-5 | Doesn't transplant well. Indoor sowing still strongly advised. Warm soil & container planting preferred. Legend, Cafe and Espresso varieties are top producers in the subarctic. |
| Dill | Start Indoors | 4-5 | |
| Lettuce, Leaf | Start Indoors | 4-5 | Cold hardy. |
| Mustard Greens | Start Indoors | 4-5 | Cold hardy. Can also direct sow 2-3 weeks before last frost. Bolts in temperatures higher than 80F. For a late season harvest, plant early to mid-August. |
| Orach | Start Indoors | 4-5 | Cold hardy. Can also direct sow 2 weeks before last frost and up to 2 weeks after last frost. Bolt resistant alternative to spinach. |
| Squash, Summer | Start Indoors | 4-5 | Frost sensitive. Grows fast & large. Delay sowing if limited by indoor growing space. |
| Squash, Winter | Start Indoors | 4-5 | Frost sensitive. Grows fast & large. Delay sowing if limited by indoor growing space. |
| Zucchini | Start Indoors | 4-5 | Frost sensitive. Grows fast & large. Delay sowing if limited by indoor growing space. |
| Bok Choy | Start Indoors | 4-5 | Frost tolerant. |
| Chinese Cabbage | Start Indoors | 4-5 | Frost tolerant. |
| Pumpkins | Start Indoors | 3-5 | |
| Chard, Swiss | Start Indoors | 3-5 | Cold hardy. |
| Spinach | Sow Indoors | 3-6 | Cold hardy. Doesn’t always transplant well. Can also direct sow outdoors 2 weeks before last frost. Usually bolts by late June. For a second harvest, plant again in early to mid-August. |
| Lettuce, Head | Start Indoors | 3-6 | Cold hardy. |
| Cucumber | Start Indoors | 3-4 | Frost sensitive. Grows fast & large. Delay sowing if limited by indoor growing space. Greenhouse cucumbers can be planted 5-6 weeks before last frost and moved to greenhouse mid-May |
| Beans, Bush | Direct sow | +1-2 | Sow when frost danger has passed |
| Beans, Pole | Direct sow | +1-2 | Sow when frost danger has passed |
| Beets | Direct sow | 0-2 | Cold Hardy. |
| Carrot | Direct sow | 0-2 | Cold hardy. |
| Mustard, Chinese Bald Head | Direct sow | 0-2 | Cold hardy. |
| Onion, Set | Direct sow | 0-2 | Cold hardy. Onion sets work well in interior Alaska. If growing from seed, start 10-12 weeks before last frost. Use long day varieties only. |
| Parsnip | Direct sow | 0-2 | Cold hardy. |
| Peas | Direct sow | 0-2 | Frost tolerant. |
| Potatoes | Direct sow | 0-2 | Cold hardy. |
| Radish | Direct sow | 0-2 | Frost tolerant. Also heat sensitive. Does well late May to late June & early August up to hard frost. |
| Rutabaga | Direct sow | 0-2 | Cold hardy. |
| Strawberry | Direct sow, bare root | 0-2 | Cold hardy. Recommend buying bare root. Starting from seed is possible, but an advanced technique. Toklat is the strongest subarctic variety we've found. Covering beds with mulch for winter is recommended. |
| Turnip | Direct Sow | 0-2 | Cold hardy. |
Flower Planting Schedule For Interior Alaska:
Vegetable schedule | Date Schedule
| Flowers: | Method: | Weeks To Last Frost: | Notes: |
|---|---|---|---|
| Geranium | Start Indoors | 12 | |
| Begonia Tubers | Start Indoors | 11-12 | |
| Wax Begonia | Start Indoors | 11-12 | |
| Datura (Devil or Angel Trumpet) | Start Indoors | 10-12 | Warning, poisonous! |
| Digitalis (Foxglove) | Start Indoors | 10-12 | Can perennialize down to zone 3. |
| Eucalyptus | Start Indoors | 10-12 | |
| Vinca | Start Indoors | 10-12 | |
| Rhodochiton | Start Indoors | 10-11 | |
| Salvia | Start Indoors | 10-11 | |
| Portulaca | Start Indoors | 10 | |
| Ranunculus | Start Indoors | 10 | |
| Daisy, Shasta | Start Indoors | 9-10 | |
| Dusty Miller | Start Indoors | 9-10 | |
| Hollyhock | Start Indoors | 9-10 | |
| Lobelia | Start Indoors | 9-10 | |
| Gazania | Start Indoors | 9 | |
| Althea Zebium | Start Indoors | 9 | |
| Gazania | Start Indoors | 9 | |
| Lupine | Start Indoors | 9 | Cold hardy. Can perennialize down to zone 3. |
| Coleus | Start Indoors | 8-10 | |
| Delphinium | Start Indoors | 8-10 | Cold stratification recommended. Can perennialize down to zone 3. |
| Echinacea (Purple Coneflower) | Start Indoors | 8-10 | Can perennialize down to zone 3. Stratification of seeds in freezer for 30 days recommended. |
| Viola (Pansy) | Start Indoors | 8-9 | |
| Nemesia | Start Indoors | 8-9 | |
| Asperula | Start Indoors | 8 | |
| Butterfly Milkweed | Start Indoors | 8 | Can perennialize down to zone 3. Stratification of seeds in freezer for 30 days recommended. |
| Swamp Milkweed | Start Indoors | 8 | Can perennialize down to zone 3. Stratification of seeds in freezer for 30 days recommended. |
| Showy Milkweed | Start Indoors | 8 | Can perennialize down to zone 3. Stratification of seeds in freezer for 30 days recommended. |
| Impatiens | Start Indoors | 8 | |
| Kochia | Start Indoors | 8 | |
| Malope | Start Indoors | 8 | |
| Statice | Start Indoors | 8 | |
| Sweet William | Start Indoors | 8 | |
| Lychnis | Start Indoors | 7-8 | Can perennialize down to zone 3. |
| Nicotiana | Start Indoors | 7-8 | |
| Bells of Ireland | Start Indoors | 7-8 | |
| Cosmos | Start Indoors | 7-8 | |
| Daisy, English | Start Indoors | 7-8 | |
| Dianthus | Start Indoors | 7-8 | Frost tolerant. Carnation is a common variety in this genus. Early seeding allows flowering as annual. Some dianthus varieties can perennialize down to zone 3. |
| Feverfew | Start Indoors | 7-8 | |
| Mallow | Start Indoors | 7-8 | |
| Malva | Start Indoors | 7-8 | |
| Nicotiana | Start Indoors | 7-8 | |
| Snapdragon | Start Indoors | 7-8 | |
| Straw Flowers | Start Indoors | 7-8 | |
| Verbena | Start Indoors | 7-8 | |
| Calendula | Start Indoors | 7 | |
| Artemisia | Start Indoors | 6-8 | Many varieties. Check seed packet for specific instructions. Some varieties can perennialize down to zone 3. |
| Craspedia (Drumstick Flower) | Start Indoors | 6-8 | |
| Petunia | Start Indoors | 6-8 | |
| Sanvitalia (Creeping Zinnia) | Start Indoors | 6-8 | |
| Thunbergia (Black Eyed Susan Vine) | Start Indoors | 6-8 | |
| Vera (English) Lavender | Start Indoors | 6-8 | |
| Aster | Start Indoors | 6-7 | |
| Chinese Lantern | Start Indoors | 6-7 | Warning, invasive & poisonous! Requires light to germinate. Can perennialize down to zone 3. |
| Dahlia Tubers | Start Indoors | 6-7 | |
| Daisy, African | Start Indoors | 6-7 | |
| Gaillardia (Blanket Flower) | Start Indoors | 6-7 | Some varieties can perennialize down to zone 3. |
| Gladiola Corms | Start Indoors | 6-7 | |
| Godetia | Start Indoors | 6-7 | |
| Layia | Start Indoors | 6-7 | |
| Phlox | Start Indoors | 6-7 | Frost tolerant. |
| Schizanthus (Butterfly Flower) | Start Indoors | 6-7 | |
| Poppy, Typical | Start Indoors | 6 | |
| Lavatera | Start Indoors | 6 | |
| Linaria | Start Indoors | 6 | |
| Marigold | Start Indoors | 6 | |
| Poppy, Oriental | Start Indoors | 6 | |
| Ageratum (Floss Flower) | Start Indoors | 5-6 | |
| Alaska Cut Mix | Start Indoors | 5-6 | Common mix found in Alaska nurseries |
| Baby's Breath | Start Indoors | 5-6 | |
| Candy Tuft | Start Indoors | 5-6 | |
| Clarkia | Start Indoors | 5-6 | |
| Larkspur | Start Indoors | 5-6 | Warning, poisonous! Follow seed packet instructions, may require stratification and/or other special treatment depending on variety. |
| Morning Glory | Start Indoors | 5-6 | |
| Nigella | Start Indoors | 5-6 | |
| Rudbeckia | Start Indoors | 5-6 | |
| Salpiglossis | Start Indoors | 5-6 | |
| Scabiosa (Pincushion) | Start Indoors | 5-6 | Some varieties are perennial and can perennialize down to zone 3. |
| Stock | Start Indoors | 5-6 | |
| Sweet Pea | Start Indoors | 5-6 | Frost tolerant. |
| Ursinia | Start Indoors | 5-6 | |
| Yarrow | Start Indoors | 5-6 | |
| Agrostemma (Corn Cockle) | Start Indoors | 4-5 | Some varieties are planted earlier. Check your seed packet. |
| Amarath | Start Indoors | 4-5 | |
| Celosia | Start Indoors | 4-5 | |
| Columbine | Start Indoors | 4-5 | |
| Nasturtium | Start Indoors | 4-5 | Can also be direct sowed 1-2 weeks before last frost |
| Zinnia | Start Indoors | 4 | |
| Sunflower | Start Indoors | 4 | |
| Centaurea (Bachelor Buttons) | Start Indoors | 3-5 | Early planting, early blooms. Can also be direct sowed at last frost |
| Canary Bird Vine | Start Indoors | 3-4 | |
| Mignoette | Start Indoors | 3-4 | |
| Nemophila | Start Indoors | 3-4 | |
| Sweet Alyssum | Start Indoors | 3-4 | |
| Forget Me Not | Start Indoors | 3-4 | The Alaska State flower! Can also be direct sowed around last frost. |
| Echinacea | Start Indoors | 1-3 | |
| Poppy, California | Direct Sow | 1-2 |
