What to plant this week in Fairbanks, AK
Fairbanks gardeners are in a critical window as the last frost average sits on May 15, meaning any ground work before mid-May risks killing tender crops. This week marks the final push to sow hardy garlic and harvest your early summer staples like beefsteak tomatoes and bush beans before the Sep 15 freeze locks up the soil.
The next 7 days
Fairbanks, AKGrowing in Fairbanks right now
- The deep, frozen subsoil here retains heat longer than surface temps suggest, but plant only after warming visibly in mid-May to avoid shock from sudden thaws.
- Fairbanks' short growing season demands immediate harvest of summer squashes and potatoes; do not delay picking until frost hits on Sep 15 or you'll lose yield.
- Soil tends to be acidic and gravelly in many valley areas, so amend heavy beds with compost now while the weather permits for late-spring crops.
- Extreme temperature swings between day and night are common in May, so provide row covers immediately after transplanting any heat-loving varieties.
Sow this week
1 crops- Garlic
Transplant this week
Nothing is due to go out this week.
Harvest soon
15 crops- Beefsteak Tomato
- Brussels Sprouts
- Bush Bean
- Cosmos
- Dahlia
- Garden Verbena
- Garlic
- Leek
- Lisianthus (Prairie Gentian)
- Ornamental Sweet Potato Vine
- Parsnip
- Potato
- Pumpkin
- Sunflower
- Winter Squash
Seasonal tips
- Finish hardening off any indoor starts before the ground warms up next month.
- Prepare raised beds now by adding compost to improve drainage in heavy clay soils.
- Order spring bulbs and seedlings early since local nurseries will be out of stock soon.
Pest & disease watch
- Cutworms often attack young tomato and bean seedlings in early spring when soil is still cold and dark.
- Powdery mildew can develop rapidly on dahlias and sunflowers if humidity stays high during brief warm spells.
- Spider mites may appear indoors or in protected greenhouses as the mercury drops, stressing plants before the main season.
Watering this week
Clean and sanitize your pruning shears now so they are ready for spring deadheading and shaping next month.
Fairbanks gardening questions
3Can I start my fall garlic now or must I wait?
You should sow hardy garlic this week if you want a fall crop that establishes roots before the deep freeze. However, for next summer's harvest, plant in late August instead of risking winter kill with current conditions.
My beefsteak tomatoes are ripening fast; how much longer do they have?
With an average first frost on Sep 15, your current fruit should be fully mature within two weeks. Do not wait for the exact freeze date to pick, as cold nights will halt sugar production and cause rot.
Is it safe to move my dahlia tubers outside yet?
No, dahlias are not transplantable now; they must remain indoors or in heated greenhouses until well after May 15. Planting them into the ground before the frost date averages out will result in frozen roots and plant death.
Other cities in zone 3a
1See the full zone 3a guide → · Plan your Fairbanks garden in SproutGuide →