Fall in zone 3bPhoto: Dietmar Rabich, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Frost dates for ZIP 99712 (Steele Creek, AK)
Average last spring and first fall frost dates with 10%, 50% and 90% odds, from NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the nearest weather station, Two Rivers, AK (33 miles away).
Station is a bit far
The nearest station with freeze normals is over 40 km away, so dates here may be off by a week or more.
- Average last spring frostMay 3050% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostSep 250% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)95 daysmedian, 32°F threshold
- USDA hardiness zone3b-35 to -30°F avg. coldest night
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This week in your yard
As of Oct 18, 2026, from your frost dates, zone and soil temperature. Lawn timing · Vegetables · Pruning · Plants
Soil temperature now
2-inch depth
No soil station with a fresh reading within 62 miles.
4-inch depth
No soil station with a fresh reading within 62 miles.
Fall: Texas A&M AgriLife times fall pre-emergent (for winter weeds such as annual bluegrass) to soil cooling to about 70°F for several days. The 50–55°F band is the spring trigger. Always read and follow the product label.
7-day forecast and frost risk
The latest National Weather Service 7-day forecast and any Frost Advisory or Freeze Warning for 99712 load here. You can also open the NWS forecast for this ZIP.
Pre-emergent
No soil reading near this ZIP. Typical extension timing for your region: spring mid-April to early May.
Fertilizer window
Lawn region: North (cool-season). Timing only; always follow the product label.
- Kentucky bluegrass (cool-season): Early fall: Around Labor Day (late August–September); Late fall: Late October–November, before the ground freezes; Late spring: Optional around Memorial Day. Avoid: Early-spring and midsummer feeding (pushes top growth, favors crabgrass).
Plant now
No vegetable planting windows are open this week.
Prune now
No frost-timed pruning windows are open this week.
Spring-flowering shrubs are pruned right after their flowers fade, not by date. See the pruning guide.
Last spring frost odds
| Chance of a 32°F freeze after this date | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early: most years still freeze after this) | May 12 |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | May 30 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | Jun 13 |
Most gardeners plant frost-tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, basil) after the 50% date, and closer to the 10% date for less risk.
First fall frost odds
| Chance the first 32°F freeze has happened by this date | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early: 1 year in 10 freezes this soon) | Aug 13 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Sep 2 |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Sep 17 |
Light frost, freeze and hard freeze
| Threshold | Last spring (50%) | First fall (50%) |
|---|---|---|
| 36°F (light frost possible on clear, calm nights) | n/a | n/a |
| 32°F (freeze) | May 30 | Sep 2 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | May 16 | Sep 16 |
n/a means NOAA did not publish a date at that threshold for this station (usually because it rarely gets that cold).
Vegetable planting calendar for 99712
Dates count from your average last spring frost (May 30) and first fall frost (Sep 2). Half of years have a frost after the spring date, so give tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, squash) some slack.
| Crop | Start indoors | Spring planting | Fall planting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Apr 4–18 | Jun 6–20 (transplant) | – |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Mar 21–Apr 4 | Jun 13–27 (transplant) | – |
| Eggplant | Mar 21–Apr 4 | Jun 13–27 (transplant) | – |
| Tomatillo | Apr 4–18 | Jun 6–20 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Apr 4–18 | May 9–30 (transplant) May 2–Jun 13 (sow outdoors) | Jul 8–29 (transplant) Jun 24–Jul 22 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Apr 18–May 9 (sow outdoors) | Jul 8–29 (sowing) |
| Kale | Apr 4–18 | May 2–16 (transplant) May 2–16 (sow outdoors) | Jun 10–Jul 8 (transplant) May 27–Jun 24 (sowing) |
| Collards | Apr 4–18 | May 2–30 (transplant) May 2–30 (sow outdoors) | Jun 10–Jul 8 (transplant) |
| Broccoli | Mar 21–Apr 4 | May 2–16 (transplant) | May 27–Jun 24 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Mar 21–Apr 4 | May 2–16 (transplant) | May 27–Jun 24 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Mar 21–Apr 4 | May 16–30 (transplant) | – |
| Brussels sprouts | Mar 7–21 | May 2–16 (transplant) | – |
| Kohlrabi | Apr 4–18 | May 2–16 (transplant) May 2–16 (sow outdoors) | Jun 24–Jul 8 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | May 2–16 (sow outdoors) | Jul 8–22 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | May 2–30 (sow outdoors) | Jul 8–Aug 5 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | May 2–23 (sow outdoors) | Jul 8–22 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Apr 18–May 2 | May 16–Jun 6 (transplant) May 16–Jun 13 (sow outdoors) | Jun 24–Jul 8 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | May 2–30 (sow outdoors) | Jun 24–Jul 8 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | May 9–Jun 6 (sow outdoors) | Jun 10–24 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Apr 25–Jun 6 (sow outdoors) | Jul 22–Aug 5 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | May 2–23 (sow outdoors) | Jun 24–Jul 8 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | May 9–30 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Apr 4–May 2 (sow outdoors) | Jun 10–24 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Mar 7–21 | Apr 18–May 2 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Apr 18–May 16 (sow outdoors) | Jun 24–Jul 8 (sowing) |
| Leek | Mar 7–21 | May 2–16 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Jul 22–Aug 19 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Apr 18–May 2 (transplant) | Jul 22–Aug 19 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | May 2–16 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet potato | – | Jun 20–Jul 4 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | Jun 6–20 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | Jun 6–20 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, pole | – | Jun 6–20 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | Jun 13–27 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | Jun 20–Jul 11 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | May 2–9 | Jun 6–20 (transplant) Jun 6–20 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Summer squash / zucchini | May 2–9 | Jun 6–20 (transplant) Jun 6–20 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Winter squash | May 2–9 | Jun 6–20 (transplant) Jun 6–20 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | Jun 6–20 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | May 2–9 | Jun 13–27 (transplant) Jun 13–27 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | May 2–9 | Jun 13–27 (transplant) Jun 13–27 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Apr 18–May 2 | Jun 13–27 (transplant) Jun 13–27 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Mar 7–21 | Jun 6–13 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Apr 18–May 2 | Jun 6–20 (transplant) Jun 6–20 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | May 16–Jun 13 (sow outdoors) | Jul 8–22 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Mar 21–Apr 4 | May 16–30 (transplant) May 9–30 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | May 30–Jun 13 (sow outdoors) | Jul 8–22 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | May 30–Jun 13 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | May 2–16 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | May 2–16 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | May 2–16 (transplant) | Jun 24–Jul 22 (transplant) |
Typical ranges from university extension planting calendars, adjusted to your frost dates. Probabilities, not guarantees. Fall windows that would overlap spring planting are left out, as are fall crops of frost-tender plants where the frost-free season is under 210 days.
Where these numbers come from
Station: Two Rivers, AK (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USC00509489), elevation 605 ft, 32.9 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: R (representative, 10+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Central #2, AK | 49 mi | May 25 | Aug 26 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 5 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 99712
When is the last frost in 99712?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 99712 is May 30. For a more cautious planting date, use June 13, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 99712?
The average first fall freeze is September 2. In 1 year in 10 it comes by August 13.
What hardiness zone is 99712?
ZIP 99712 is in USDA zone 3b (-35 to -30°F average coldest winter night), per the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map ZIP listing.
What is the soil temperature in 99712 right now?
This page shows the latest 2-inch and 4-inch soil temperature from the nearest public soil station (USDA SCAN, NOAA USCRN or TexMesonet), or a labeled estimate when no station is close, against the 50–55°F spring pre-emergent band.
Nearby ZIP codes
99707 99730 Central 99702 Eielson AFB 99705 Badger 99714 Harding-Birch Lakes 99703 Fairbanks 99775 College 99725 Ester
Other ZIP codes in Fairbanks North Star Borough
99702 99703 99705 99707 99709 99714 99725 99775 All Fairbanks North Star Borough frost dates · Alaska frost dates
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Free. One weekly email plus alerts when your ZIP has a frost or a soil-temperature change worth acting on. After you submit, Kit (our email provider) sends a confirmation email: check your email and click the link to confirm. You aren't subscribed until you do. We collect only your email address and ZIP, sent to Kit to deliver The Dial. Unsubscribe anytime.