What to plant this week in Fairbanks, AK
With the ground still frozen solid and average lows plummeting to -40°F, Fairbanks gardeners are currently in a deep winter hibernation phase where no outdoor sowing or transplanting is possible. This week marks another pause before the late May thaw arrives, offering a perfect time to plan your spring calendar for that critical frost-free window.
The next 7 days
Fairbanks, AKGrowing in Fairbanks right now
- Keep seed starting lights on and temperatures high indoors since there are no sowable plants for this week in the frozen tundra.
- Prepare your soil amendments now if you have access to indoor spaces, as adding organic matter before ground thaw is crucial for Fairbanks' heavy clay subsoil.
- Monitor extreme cold snaps that can damage any unhardened tender starts you might have brought inside from a rare warm spell earlier in the season.
- Review your spring schedule carefully, ensuring everything remains indoors until after May 15 when the last frost date finally passes.
Sow this week
No direct sowing windows open this week.
Transplant this week
Nothing is due to go out this week.
Harvest soon
No harvest windows opening just yet.
Seasonal tips
- Start planning your spring crop layout now to maximize the short growing season between late May and mid-September.
- Apply a thick layer of mulch over dormant perennials and shrubs to insulate roots against extreme cold snaps.
- Clean up dead plant debris from last fall to reduce winter harborage for disease spores.
Pest & disease watch
- Spider mites are active on houseplants kept near heating vents during these dry winter days.
- Thrips may attack indoor bulbs or cut flowers if you are forcing them through the cold months.
- No outdoor insect activity is expected until the ground thaws, but check for overwintering bugs in your greenhouse structures.
Watering this week
Hold off on watering until the ground thaws, as frozen soil will not absorb moisture effectively.
Test your compost this week; warming piles in late winter are perfect for breaking down material before spring planting begins.
Fairbanks gardening questions
3Can I start seeds now in Fairbanks?
No, you cannot sow any plants outdoors this week because the soil is frozen and temperatures are far too low. All gardening activities must remain indoors until after the average last frost date of May 15.
When should I plan to transplant my seedlings?
You should aim to harden off and transplant your indoor-grown starts immediately after May 15, once the risk of a killing freeze has passed.
What can I do for my garden this week?
Focus entirely on indoor planning, such as counting down the days until your specific crop needs and organizing your tool shed.
Other cities in zone 3a
1See the full zone 3a guide → · Plan your Fairbanks garden in SproutGuide →